Moving your WordPress site to a new domain can cause major disruptions, but with the right strategies, it can be done seamlessly. Here are some foolproof tips for a smooth transition:

🔹 Back up your website
🔹 Update your DNS records
🔹 Set up 301 redirects
🔹 Test your new site thoroughly
🔹 Notify your audience of the change

For more details, read on!

Preparing for the Move

Backup Your WordPress Site

Before embarking on any major changes to your WordPress site, it’s crucial to create a comprehensive backup. This step acts as a safety net, ensuring that you have a copy of your site’s files and database that can be restored if any issues arise during the transfer process. Follow these steps to back up your WordPress site:

  1. Database Backup: Access your hosting control panel or use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or VaultPress to create a backup of your WordPress database. This includes all your posts, pages, settings, and user data.
  2. File Backup: Connect to your hosting server using FTP or a file manager tool and download all the files associated with your WordPress site. This includes themes, plugins, media uploads, and the WordPress core files.


Store these backups in a secure location, either on your local computer or a cloud storage service.

Set Up the New Domain

To facilitate a seamless transfer, you’ll need to set up the WordPress site to a new domain where your WordPress site will reside. Here are the key steps to follow:

  1. Purchase a New Domain: Choose a domain registrar and purchase the new domain you want to migrate your WordPress site to. Ensure that the domain is available and reflects your branding or site’s purpose effectively.
  2. Choose a Hosting Provider: Select a hosting provider that suits your needs and offers a smooth WordPress installation process. Consider factors such as performance, support, and compatibility with WordPress.
  3. Install WordPress: Use the hosting provider’s control panel or a one-click installer to set up the WordPress site to a new domain. This will create a fresh installation of WordPress for your site on the new domain.


Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re ready to proceed with the actual migration of your WordPress site to the new domain. In the next section, we’ll explore how to update WordPress settings and ensure a seamless transition of your content and functionality.

Updating WordPress Settings

Update Site URLs in WordPress Dashboard

To ensure a smooth transition from the WordPress site to a new domain, it’s crucial to update the site URLs in your WordPress dashboard. Follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard on the old domain.
  2. Navigate to Settings > General.
  3. Locate the “WordPress Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL)” fields.
  4. Update both fields with the new domain URL.
  5. Save the changes.


By updating the site URLs, you’re instructing WordPress to operate from the new domain instead of the old one.

Update Links and Media to Reflect the New Domain

After updating the site URLs, it’s essential to ensure that all internal links, media URLs, and hardcoded references within your content are updated to reflect the new domain. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Utilize a Search and Replace Tool: There are various plugins and tools available that allow you to search and replace specific strings within your WordPress database. One popular plugin is “Better Search Replace.” Install and activate the plugin, then navigate to Tools > Better Search Replace. Enter the old domain URL in the “Search for” field and the new domain URL in the “Replace with” field. Select the specific tables to search and click on “Run Search/Replace.”
  2. Manually Update Links and Media: In some cases, you may have hardcoded links or media URLs within your content. You’ll need to update them manually. Go through your posts, pages, widgets, and theme files to identify any references to the old domain and replace them with the new domain URL.


Remember to pay attention to all types of content, such as images, embedded videos, hyperlinks, and CSS/JavaScript files, that may contain references to the old domain.

Moving the Files

Export the WordPress Database

To successfully transfer your WordPress site to the new domain, you’ll need to export the database from the old domain. Follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your hosting control panel and access the phpMyAdmin tool.
  2. Select the database associated with your WordPress site.
  3. Click on the “Export” tab at the top of the page.
  4. Choose the “Quick” or “Custom” export method. If using the “Custom” method, make sure to select all the tables related to your WordPress installation.
  5. Select the export format as SQL.
  6. Click the “Go” button to start the export process.
  7. Save the exported SQL file to your local computer.


This exported database file contains all the content, settings, and configurations of your WordPress site.

Transfer Files from the Old Domain to the New Domain

The next step is to transfer the files associated with your WordPress site to the new domain. Follow these instructions:

  1. Connect to your old domain’s server using FTP or a file manager tool.
  2. Locate the root directory of your WordPress installation (usually named public_html or www).
  3. Select all the files and folders within the root directory and download them to your local computer.
  4. Connect to the server of your new domain using FTP or a file manager tool.
  5. Navigate to the root directory of your new domain.
  6. Upload all the files and folders you downloaded from the old domain to the root directory of the new domain.


This process ensures that all your WordPress files, including themes, plugins, and media uploads, are transferred to the new domain.

Import the Database to the New Domain

Now that you have the WordPress database exported from the old domain and the files transferred to the new domain, it’s time to import the database to the new domain. Follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your hosting control panel and access the phpMyAdmin tool for the new domain.
  2. Create a new database and assign a user with appropriate privileges to it.
  3. Select the newly created database.
  4. Click on the “Import” tab at the top of the page.
  5. Choose the exported SQL file from your local computer.
  6. Click the “Go” button to start the import process.


The database import will recreate your WordPress site’s content, settings, and configurations on the new domain.

Testing and Troubleshooting WordPress site to a new domain

Test the New Domain for Proper Functionality

Once the files and database have been transferred to the new domain, it’s crucial to thoroughly test the site to ensure it functions correctly. Follow these steps to test the WordPress site to a new domain:

  1. Access the new domain in a web browser and navigate through different pages and sections of your WordPress site.
  2. Verify that all the content, including text, images, and media, is displaying correctly.
  3. Test any forms, contact pages, or interactive elements to ensure they are functioning as expected.
  4. Check the navigation menus, links, and internal search functionality for any issues.
  5. If your site includes e-commerce functionality, test the shopping cart, payment processing, and order placement.


By thoroughly testing the WordPress site to a new domain, you can identify and address any potential issues before the site goes live or is accessed by users.

Update Permalinks for Consistent URLs

One crucial step after migrating your WordPress site to a new domain is to update the permalinks structure. This ensures that your URLs remain consistent and search engine-friendly. Follow these steps to update permalinks:

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard on the new domain.
  2. Navigate to Settings > Permalinks.
  3. Choose your desired permalink structure or customize it according to your preferences.
  4. Click the “Save Changes” button to update the permalink structure.


Updating the permalinks ensures that all your URLs remain intact and any internal or external links to your site are not broken.

During the testing phase, keep an eye out for any broken links, missing images, or other inconsistencies. If you encounter any issues, refer to the backup created earlier to restore your site and troubleshoot the problem.

Finalizing the Move

Set Up 301 Redirects from the Old Domain to the New Domain

To ensure a smooth transition for both users and search engines, it’s crucial to set up 301 redirects from the old domain to the new domain. This will automatically redirect visitors and search engine bots from the old URLs to the corresponding pages on the new domain. Follow these steps to set up 301 redirects:

  1. Access your hosting control panel or use a plugin like Redirection or Yoast SEO.
  2. Set up a redirect rule that redirects all traffic from the old domain URLs to the new domain URLs.
  3. Test the redirects to ensure they are functioning correctly by visiting some pages on the old domain and verifying if they redirect to the new domain.

 
By implementing 301 redirects, you ensure that any existing links, bookmarks, or search engine rankings associated with the old domain are seamlessly transferred to the new domain.

Notify Search Engines about the Domain Change

To inform search engines about the domain change and facilitate the indexing of your WordPress site to a new domain, it’s important to notify them through the following steps:

  1. Set up a Google Search Console account for both the old and new domains if you haven’t already.
  2. Verify ownership of both domains in Google Search Console.
  3. In the old domain’s Google Search Console, submit a change of address request. Provide the new domain URL and follow the instructions provided.
  4. Update any existing sitemaps or submit a new sitemap for the new domain in Google Search Console.
  5. Repeat the same process for other search engines like Bing by accessing their respective webmaster tools.


By notifying search engines about the domain change, you ensure that they update their index to reflect the new domain and continue to drive organic traffic to your site.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed the process of moving your WordPress site to a new domain. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ve preserved your data, functionality, and online presence while seamlessly transitioning the WordPress site to a new domain.

Final Lines

Moving a WordPress site to a new domain is a process that requires careful planning and execution.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully migrate your site without losing any data or functionality. Remember to take backups, update settings and URLs, transfer files, test thoroughly, set up redirects, and notify search engines.

With proper attention to detail, you can seamlessly move your WordPress site to a new domain and continue to provide a seamless experience for your visitors.