How to Change a Domain in WordPress: A Pro’s Guide

Changing your domain name can feel like a monumental task, a digital Everest. But fear not! While potentially complex, with careful planning and execution, changing your WordPress domain can be a smooth transition, and I’m here to guide you through the process.

The Definitive Answer: Changing Your Domain in WordPress

Changing your domain involves several interconnected steps that go beyond just pointing your new domain to your hosting server. Here’s the breakdown of how to change your domain in WordPress effectively:

1. Backup Your Website: This is absolutely critical. Before making any changes, create a full backup of your WordPress website, including all files and the database. Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or your hosting provider’s backup feature.

2. Choose Your Approach:

   • Option A: Change the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) in WordPress Settings: This is the simplest method if you’re staying with the same hosting provider.
   • Option B: Migrate Your Website to a New Server with the New Domain: This is necessary if you’re also changing hosts or prefer a clean installation.

3. For Option A (Same Host):

   • Access Your WordPress Admin: Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Navigate to Settings > General: You’ll find the “WordPress Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL)” fields.
   • Change Both URLs: Carefully replace your old domain with your new domain in both fields. Important: Make sure to include http:// or https:// depending on your SSL setup.
   • Save Changes: Click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the page. Warning: You will likely be logged out automatically because your site URL has changed.
   • Update wp-config.php (If Necessary): If you encounter login issues or other problems, you might need to manually define the URLs in your wp-config.php file. Access this file via FTP or your hosting control panel’s file manager and add the following lines above the line that says /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */:

   define('WP_HOME','https://www.yournewdomain.com'); define('WP_SITEURL','https://www.yournewdomain.com'); 

   Replace https://www.yournewdomain.com with your actual new domain.

4. For Option B (New Host):

   • Choose a Hosting Provider: Select a reliable hosting provider that meets your needs.
   • Set Up Your New Domain: Point your new domain’s nameservers to your new hosting provider. This can take up to 48 hours to propagate, but often happens much faster.
   • Install WordPress on the New Host: Follow your hosting provider’s instructions to install WordPress on your new domain.
   • Migrate Your Website Files and Database: Use a migration plugin (like Duplicator or All-in-One WP Migration) or manually transfer your files and database to the new server. This is the most technically demanding part. Ensure the database details (database name, username, password, host) in your wp-config.php file on the new server are correct.
   • Test Your Website: After the migration, thoroughly test your website to ensure everything is working as expected.

5. Update Internal Links: After changing your domain, you need to update all internal links within your website content to reflect the new domain. Use a plugin like Better Search Replace to efficiently search and replace all instances of your old domain with the new one in your WordPress database. Important: Back up your database again before using this plugin!

6. Set Up 301 Redirects: This is crucial for SEO. Implement 301 redirects from your old domain to your new domain. This tells search engines that your website has permanently moved and helps transfer your search engine rankings. The best way to do this is through your .htaccess file (if you’re using Apache) on your old domain. Add the following code to the top of your .htaccess file:

   #Options +FollowSymLinks RewriteEngine on RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://www.yournewdomain.com/$1 [R=301,L] 

   Replace https://www.yournewdomain.com with your new domain. If you’re using a different server (like Nginx), the redirect configuration will be different. Consult your hosting provider’s documentation.

7. Update Google Analytics and Other Tools: Make sure to update your website URL in Google Analytics, Google Search Console (formerly Webmaster Tools), and any other analytics or marketing tools you use.

8. Monitor Your Website: After making the changes, closely monitor your website for any errors or issues. Check your website’s speed, broken links, and overall functionality.

9. Update Your SSL Certificate (If Applicable): If you are using SSL, ensure your SSL certificate is valid for your new domain. You may need to reissue or update your certificate.

10. Inform Your Audience: Announce your domain change to your visitors and subscribers through email, social media, or a website announcement.

FAQs: Domain Changes in WordPress – Your Burning Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions (and my expert answers) to help you navigate the domain change process:

1. How long does it take for a domain change to take effect?

Domain propagation can take anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours, though it’s usually faster. This is the time it takes for DNS servers around the world to update with the new domain information. During this time, some users may see your old website, while others see the new one.

2. Will I lose my SEO rankings when I change my domain?

Potentially, yes, but not necessarily. If you implement proper 301 redirects, you can minimize any negative impact on your SEO rankings. Search engines will eventually recognize that your website has moved and transfer your rankings to the new domain. Monitoring your search traffic after the move is crucial.

3. Do I need to change my hosting provider when I change my domain?

No, you don’t need to. You can change your domain name without changing your hosting provider, especially if you use Option A described above. However, changing your domain is often a good opportunity to reassess your hosting needs and consider a switch.

4. Can I use a subdomain instead of a new domain?

Yes, you can use a subdomain (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com) instead of a completely new domain. The process is simpler; you mainly need to create the subdomain within your hosting account and point your WordPress installation to it. You might still need to update the WordPress Address and Site Address URLs.

5. What happens to my email addresses associated with the old domain?

Your email addresses will stop working once the DNS records for your old domain are changed. You’ll need to create new email addresses associated with your new domain and configure your email client accordingly. Many hosting providers offer email hosting services tied to your domain.

6. What if I don’t have access to the .htaccess file?

If you don’t have access to the .htaccess file (for example, if you’re on a Windows server or a managed hosting platform), you’ll need to use another method to set up 301 redirects. Contact your hosting provider for assistance; they can usually configure redirects for you at the server level.

7. Is it possible to test the new domain before making it live?

Yes, absolutely! A great way to do this is by modifying your local computer’s hosts file to point the new domain to your server’s IP address. This allows you to view the website on the new domain from your computer without affecting the live website. This allows you to test everything before making the change public. Remember to remove the entry from your hosts file once the domain change is live.

8. What if I have an e-commerce website?

Changing a domain for an e-commerce website requires extra caution. In addition to the steps above, ensure that your payment gateway and SSL certificate are correctly configured for the new domain. Thoroughly test the entire checkout process before announcing the change.

9. Can I automate the domain change process?

While some plugins offer assistance with domain changes, a fully automated solution is rare and often risky. Manual verification and testing are always recommended to ensure a smooth transition. Plugins like Better Search Replace and migration plugins can automate parts of the process, but the core steps still require careful attention.

10. What should I do if something goes wrong during the domain change?

The first thing is – don’t panic! Restore your website from the backup you created. This will revert your website to its original state. Then, carefully review each step of the process and identify any errors. If you’re unsure, consult with a WordPress expert or your hosting provider for assistance.

11. Should I inform Google about my domain change?

Yes, informing Google about your domain change through Google Search Console can help speed up the process of updating their index and transferring your rankings. Use the “Change of Address” tool within Search Console.

12. What if my website is using a CDN (Content Delivery Network)?

If your website uses a CDN, you’ll need to update your CDN settings to reflect the new domain. This typically involves updating the origin URL and ensuring that the CDN is serving content from the new domain. Check your CDN provider’s documentation for specific instructions.

Changing your domain in WordPress is a significant undertaking, but by following these steps and FAQs, you can ensure a successful transition with minimal disruption. Remember to plan carefully, back up everything, and test thoroughly. Good luck!