How to Properly Move WordPress to a New Domain Name – WPSaviour

By WP Saviour •  Updated: 04/16/21 •  9 min read

Do you wish to switch your WordPress web site from one area identify to a different area on the identical server? Switching to a brand new area identify could have an effect on the search engine rankings of your web site. To attenuate this impression, you’ll have to comply with a selected step-by-step course of to get your search place again after transferring your website.

On this article, we’ll present you the best way to correctly transfer your WordPress website to a brand new area identify with minimal impact on website positioning.

Step 0. Assess Your WordPress Website

Transferring your WordPress website to a brand new area identify is a very totally different course of than switching your web site from one internet host to a different. For the method coated on this information, you’ll have the identical hosting however a brand new area identify. Should you’re uncertain which course of you require, learn our article on the distinction between a area identify and hosting.

Earlier than we begin, it is best to examine that your WordPress web site is working fantastic in your present area identify, and that you just’ve efficiently your new area identify. Should you don’t have your new area identify but, then you should buy it from any of the high area identify registrars in the marketplace.

Just remember to have the entry to cPanel in your web site and that you just’re in a position to join your website to an FTP shopper. When you’ve double-checked all these elements, you’ll be able to go forward and start the transferring course of.

Word: It’s essential so that you can know {that a} slight impact in your web site visitors is regular whenever you change domains. Nevertheless, we’ll assist you, step-by-step, to attain your objectives with out dropping management of your search engine rankings.

Prepared? Let’s get began.

Step 1. Create a Full Backup of WordPress

To begin, you’ll want a whole backup of your WordPress website. You will discover many WordPress backup plugins, however we extremely suggest utilizing the Duplicator plugin for this course of.

Duplicator is a free WordPress backup and migration plugin.

The very first thing you’ll have to do is to put in the Duplicator plugin. Should you need assistance, try our information on the best way to set up a WordPress plugin.

Upon activation, you’ll see a brand new ‘Duplicator’ menu in your web site’s admin backend. You’ll have to go to the Duplicator » Packages web page and create a brand new bundle.

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On the following web page, you can provide a reputation to the brand new bundle, choose the storage location, select the archive kind, and click on on the ‘Subsequent’ button.

It’ll scan your web site and also you’ll want to attend for a couple of minutes till the scan is full.

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As soon as the scan has accomplished efficiently, you’ll be able to go forward and hit the ‘Construct’ button to create a whole backup of your WordPress web site.

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Relying on the dimensions of your web site and media information, it might take a number of minutes to finish the backup course of.

When it’s efficiently completed, you’ll discover ‘Installer’ and ‘Archive’ information to obtain as a bundle. You can too click on on the ‘1-Click on Obtain’ choice to obtain them immediately onto your laptop.

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On this bundle, you’ll have an Archive file which comprises a reproduction model of your WordPress website. You’ll use this to modify your website to a brand new area identify. Whereas the Installer file may help you with automating and operating the migration course of.

Step 2. Set Up a Database for Your New Area

You’ll want a database in your hosting in your new area identify. This database will retailer the WordPress information and scripts in your web site.

Word: When you have a database to spare, then you’ll be able to bounce to the following step straight. In any other case, proceed with this step.

You’ll have to log into your cPanel account to create a brand new database. As soon as logged in, you’ll be able to go to the Databases » MySQL Databases choice to proceed.

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Subsequent, you’ll have to enter a reputation for the brand new database and hit the ‘Create Database’ button.

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A brand new database will probably be created in your web site’s cPanel account.

After that, you’ll want to leap to the MySQL Customers part under. Enter the username, password, and click on on the ‘Create Person’ button.

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Now you’ll have a brand new database and a brand new person. You must hyperlink them collectively, so the person can work for the database.

Within the ‘Add Person to Database’ part, you’ll want to pick out the person that you just simply created after which you’ll be able to choose the brand new database. Click on on the ‘Add’ button to hyperlink them.

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As soon as added, you’re prepared to modify your web site out of your outdated area identify to your new area identify. Copy the data (together with the database identify, person, and password) on a notepad. You’ll want this later!

Step 3. Add the WordPress Backup Information

You’ve acquired the ‘Installer’ and ‘Archive’ information downloaded in your laptop.

Now you have to log into your new area identify with an FTP shopper. On the foundation listing, you’ll be able to add the Installer and Archive information.

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After importing the information, you’ll be able to go forward and go to this URL on a browser tab:

http://newsite.com/installer.php

On this URL, ‘newsite.com’ will probably be changed together with your new area identify and installer.php may help with the migration as mentioned above.

When you run this URL, the migration course of will start mechanically.

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On the following display screen, you’ll be able to go away all of the settings as-is. Begin by checking the phrases and situations possibility. Click on on the ‘Subsequent’ button to proceed.

Subsequent, you’ll have to enter the database data.

Within the Host subject, it is best to enter ‘localhost’ and the opposite fields will get the main points that you just copied beforehand.

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Be sure that to click on on the ‘Subsequent’ button.

After that, it’ll add your WordPress backup information to the database that you just created for the brand new area identify.

It’ll show the brand new settings, together with the URL, Path, and Title of your new area. If the data is right, then click on on the ‘Subsequent’ button.

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The method will probably be completed and your web site may have moved efficiently to your new area identify.

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Final, you’ll see the ‘Admin Login’ button that can take you to the WordPress login web page in your new area identify.

Step 4. Add Everlasting Redirects

You’ve moved your web site to your new area identify however search engines like google should still have traces of your outdated area identify. This could distract your customers, and it’s additionally not good in your website positioning.

To keep away from this, you have to arrange 301 everlasting redirects.

The everlasting redirects will make it possible for your customers who’re visiting from the outdated area’s URL will probably be redirected to your new area identify mechanically.

First, you’ll want to attach your outdated web site utilizing an FTP shopper. Search for the .htaccess file in your root listing and edit it.

You’ll want so as to add this code on high of the opposite code in your .htaccess file:

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#Choices +FollowSymLinks

RewriteEngine on

RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http:

On this code, you’ll want to alter the URL (http://www.newsite.com/) to your new area identify.

The RewriteEngine will make it possible for the guests who’re touchdown in your outdated URL will probably be redirected to your new area URL.

You may take a look at the redirect by visiting your outdated area identify. It ought to mechanically redirect you to your web site in your new area. If there’s a difficulty, then you’ll be able to contact your hosting supplier to setup redirects.

Step 5. Inform Google About Change of Deal with

The redirect will assist your customers to see your web site in your new area identify. You must also inform Google about this transformation, so Google can search for the brand new area identify and show it of their search outcomes in your customers.

Begin by including the brand new area to the Google Search Console. It is best to try this entire information to Google Search Console for help.

After that, you’ll have to go to the outdated model of Google Search Console to make use of the ‘Change of Deal with’ device.

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Merely change to your outdated area identify within the dropdown subsequent to the ‘Use New Search Console’ button. Then, click on on the settings icon and choose ‘Change of Deal with’.

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This can launch the Change of Deal with device. You may choose your new web site, take a look at the everlasting 301 redirects, and submit your website to tell Google concerning the change of handle.

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This step will let Google learn about your latest switching of your website’s area identify, and it’ll grow to be simpler for the search engine to rapidly crawl your new URL.

Step 6. Replace Your Customers

Following the above steps, you made certain that your customers could be redirected to your new area identify. Nevertheless, it’s also possible to inform them personally about this transformation to your website’s area handle.

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WP Saviour

I am a WordPress specialist. My mission is to help you create beautiful websites with ease!