How To Change The Domain Name Of Your WordPress Website

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Changing the domain name of your WordPress website can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and careful planning, it can be done smoothly.

Whether you are rebranding your business, switching to a more relevant domain, or merging multiple websites, changing the domain name requires careful consideration and execution.

In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to change the domain name of your WordPress website, covering important aspects such as domain registration, DNS configuration, updating WordPress settings, and handling redirects.

By following these steps, you can successfully transition to a new domain name while preserving your website’s functionality, search engine visibility, and user experience.

How Do I Change The Domain Name Of My WordPress Website?

Whether you’re rebranding, optimizing for SEO, or simply looking for a more suitable domain, it’s crucial to handle the process correctly to avoid disruptions to your website’s functionality and search engine rankings.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of changing the domain name of your WordPress website while minimizing potential issues and ensuring a smooth transition.

Step 1: Purchase and Set Up the New Domain.

Start by purchasing the new domain name from a reputable domain registrar. Choose a domain that reflects your brand or website’s new focus. Once you’ve registered the domain, configure the DNS settings to point to your web hosting provider.

This typically involves updating the domain’s nameservers or creating DNS records provided by your hosting company.

Step 2: Backup Your WordPress Website.

Before making any changes, it’s essential to create a backup of your WordPress website. This includes both the website’s files and the database.

Use a reliable backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to ensure you have a complete and up-to-date backup of your website.

Step 3: Update WordPress Settings.

Next, log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to “Settings” -> “General.” Update the “WordPress Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL)” fields to reflect the new domain name. Save the changes.

This step ensures that WordPress uses the new domain name when generating links and URLs throughout the website.

Step 4: Update Database URLs.

Changing the domain name requires updating URLs in your website’s database. WordPress stores URLs in the database for internal links, media, and other content.

To update the URLs, you can use a search and replace plugin like Better Search Replace or manually execute SQL queries using phpMyAdmin.

Replace all instances of the old domain with the new domain in the database.

Step 5: Update Website Links and Content.

After updating the database URLs, it’s crucial to review your website’s content and update any internal links that may still reference the old domain.

Manually check pages, posts, menus, and widgets for any hardcoded links and update them to reflect the new domain name.

Step 6: Set Up Redirects.

To ensure a seamless transition for your website visitors and maintain search engine rankings, it’s essential to set up redirects from the old domain to the new domain.

Redirects can be implemented using a plugin like Redirection or through the server’s configuration file. Configure 301 redirects for each old URL to point to the corresponding new URL.

Step 7: Test and Verify.

Once you’ve completed the above steps, thoroughly test your website to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

Check for broken links, missing images, and any other issues that may have arisen during the domain name change process.

Use tools like Google Search Console to verify that search engines are correctly indexing the new domain and update any necessary information in your SEO settings.

Step 8: Communicate the Change.

Inform your website users, subscribers, and relevant stakeholders about the domain name change.

Send out email notifications, update social media profiles, and post announcements on your website to ensure everyone is aware of the new domain and can update their bookmarks and links accordingly.

Conclusion.

Changing the domain name of your WordPress website requires careful planning and execution.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can successfully transition to a new domain name while minimizing disruptions to your website’s functionality, search engine visibility, and user experience.

Remember to back up your website, update WordPress settings and database URLs, set up redirects, and thoroughly test your website before and after the domain name change.

With proper preparation and attention to detail, you can smoothly change your WordPress website’s domain name and continue to grow and thrive online.