Do you need to transfer WordPress to a different domain name? Perhaps it’s time to rebrand your site, or maybe you’ve snatched a premium domain name that’s enough to be worth using. Whatever the reasons are, you must take the right steps in order to ensure your website runs smoothly.
The procedure for moving WordPress to a different domain is quite easy. It involves transferring your WordPress files to an additional directory on the host and then updating your database.
Do you want to check any domain name availability? Check whether a name is available using a namechecker or username availability checker.
However, keeping your SEO ranking when you change WordPress to a different domain name is a bit of a challenge. In this article, I’m going to explain both aspects of the process. This means that you’ll know precisely what you need to do:
- Transfer WordPress to an alternative domain.
- Use the correct redirects to maintain your SEO rankings.
- Let’s begin with the first section.
Part 1: What to Do Transfer WordPress to a Different Domain Name
For the initial part of the tutorial, I’m going to try not to go over the details because a number of aspects are similar to the tutorial we wrote on migrating WordPress to a different hosting provider. If you encounter difficulties at any point during the next few steps, it’s a good idea to read the article for further details.
On a broader level, it’s as simple as utilizing your Duplicator plugin to transfer the site’s files onto the new domain. This is why the process is almost the same regardless of whether you’re staying with the same host or shifting to a brand new WordPress hosting provider.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Install Duplicator and then create an archive
Step 2: Create a fresh MySQL site database
Step 3: Upload the installer as well as the archive files to the new domain
Step 4: Perform the Duplicator install procedure.
Step 1: Install Duplicator and Then Create an Archive
Always ensure that you back up your website before beginning this procedure.
Begin installing and then activating Duplicator. After activation, go over to the Duplicator link on the sidebar of your dashboard and create an entirely new package:
You should go through the package creation procedure and then build your package. You don’t have to modify one of these settings.
Duplicator will create an entire package that is made up of two file types:
- Installer
- Archive
Downloading the two files is essential. Keep track of where you saved them, as you’ll need them soon.
Step 2: Create a Brand New MySQL Database for the Website
In the next step, you must set up a MySQL database to host your new domain. Navigate to cPanel and locate an option for MySQL databases.
Create a brand new database.
Then a new database user is created.
You must add the new database user to the one that you just created.
Also, make sure to grant all privileges to
That’s all there is to it! Keep the database’s name as well as username and password in your pocket. You’ll need them in the future.
Step 3: Upload the Installer as well as the Archive Files to the New Domain
Remember the two documents you downloaded in the first step? You must now upload them to the root folder of your domain’s new name.
The most efficient method to accomplish this is to use the File Manager. To start File Manager, find its icon in cPanel and be sure to select your new domain’s Name for your Document Root option:
After that, you can click an Upload button in order to transfer the file:
Step 4: Perform the Duplicator Installation Process
To run Duplicator install, navigate to newdomain.com/installer.php, where newdomain.com is clearly your actual domain name:
Fill in the information of the database you set up in Step 2.
On the next screen, you’ll be able to complete a crucial step: indicating the new domain name.
The duplicator should detect the new domain. However, if it doesn’t, be sure to enter the exact URL into the box:
After that, Duplicator will update all of your internal URLs and image links to reflect the new domain.
After that, all you have to do is click the Save Permalinks link to change your links (important!). Then, test the website to ensure that everything is working as it should:
To transfer WordPress to the new domain, you only need to do this. If you aren’t concerned about your SEO ranking, you can delete it now.
Part 2: How You Can Maintain Your SEO Rankings After Switching Domain Names
Two things:
- Create 301 redirects that transfer all links and traffic coming from an old site to your new one.
- Let Google know that you’ve changed your domain name.
How Do You Create 301 Redirects on Your Old Domain?
The 301 redirects tell the clients (and the search engine) that your website is permanently relocated. For example, with proper 301 redirects, anyone who goes to olddomain.com/example will automatically get redirected to newdomain.com/example. This is helpful in:
- Make sure you keep your visitors
- Maintain the value of SEO for links linking to your old site
Making 301 redirects work is easy. However, there’s a caveat:
If you want to register a domain name, you’ll have to pay.
In order to maintain the 301 redirects in place you must maintain access to your domain name too. However, $10 per year is a low price to pay to maintain your position on the internet!
For 301 redirects to be added the only thing you need to modify the .htaccess file of your old website and include these codes:
#Options +FollowSymLinks
RewriteEngine on
RewriteRule ^(. *)$ http://www.newdomain.com/$1 [R=301,L]
Just make sure to replace http://www.newdomain.com/ with the actual link to your new domain name.
The .htaccess file is located in your website’s root directory, which also contains “wp-admin” and “wp-content.” It can be accessed using any FTP program or edited through your browser using the File Manager, as I demonstrated in the previous post.
Once you’ve added the code to the .htaccess file, ensure that it’s functioning properly by visiting a website on that domain. The user should be automatically directed to the identical page for the new domain.
How Can You Inform Google That You’ve Changed Your Domain Name?
If you are moving WordPress to a different web address, it’s an excellent idea to inform Google of an alert. At present, Google gives you an application form to complete to let them know that you’ve changed your domain’s name.
To get access, go there via Google Search Console and open the Property for the domain name that you previously used (if you haven’t registered your website through Google Search Console, you’ll be required to do this first).
After that, click then on the Settings gear icon and select”Change of Address”
How Do You Notify Google About Changes to the Domain Name?
Complete the form and then click submit.
Inform Google that you’ve changed your domain
