We catch up regularly in our favorite digital workspace. Well, not regularly as in weekly but, you know, every few months or so when we feel we have something to talk about. There are four of us: we call ourselves The Migrators, because each one of us has handled several major website transitions, but what we have in common was learning how to change the domain name on WordPress. We'd initially met in a web developer forum discussing WordPress terms and concepts, which eventually became less active, but we had so much in common by that time and knew so much about what each other was working on, that we wanted to keep sharing our experiences.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your WordPress Domain Name
Changing your domain name might seem intimidating, but with proper preparation, it's a straightforward process that can refresh your site's identity. Whether you're rebranding or found a better domain, this transition opens new opportunities for your online presence. The key is following each step carefully to avoid common pitfalls that could temporarily affect your site's accessibility.
Before making any changes, it's crucial to create a full backup of your website. This safety net ensures you can restore your site if anything goes wrong during the domain transition process. You should also prepare for some temporary downtime and inform your regular visitors about the upcoming change to manage expectations.
- Step 1: Backup Your Website - Use your preferred backup plugin or your hosting provider's tools to create a complete backup of your WordPress files and database.
- Step 2: Access Your WordPress Database - Log into your hosting control panel and open phpMyAdmin, then select your WordPress database from the left sidebar.
- Step 3: Update Site URL in Database - Locate the wp_options table (may be prefixed differently) and find the siteurl and home rows. Edit these values to reflect your new domain name.
- Step 4: Update Domain in WordPress Settings - Log into your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Settings > General. Verify that both WordPress Address and Site Address show your new domain.
- Step 5: Implement Redirects - Add 301 redirects in your .htaccess file or through your hosting control panel to automatically send visitors from your old domain to the new one.
- Step 6: Update External Services - Don't forget to update your domain in Google Search Console, Google Analytics, and any other external services you use.
After completing these steps, thoroughly test your website to ensure all pages, images, and functionality work correctly under the new domain. Check that your visual content displays properly across different pages and that no broken links have appeared during the transition.
Will changing my domain name affect my SEO?
Yes, changing your domain name will temporarily affect your SEO, but with proper implementation, you can recover and even improve your search rankings over time. The most critical factor is implementing 301 redirects from every old URL to its corresponding new URL. This tells search engines that your content has permanently moved and helps transfer most of your existing SEO value to the new domain.
You should submit both your old and new domains to Google Search Console and use the Change of Address tool to notify Google about your domain migration. Monitor your search traffic closely for several weeks after the change and be prepared for a temporary dip in rankings as search engines reprocess your pages. Maintaining your existing content structure and quality during this transition is essential for preserving your SEO efforts.
How long does it take for a domain change to propagate?
Domain propagation typically takes between 24-48 hours to complete globally, though many users will see the change within a few hours. This process involves updating DNS records across servers worldwide, which doesn't happen instantly. The exact timing depends on your DNS provider, TTL settings, and the user's internet service provider.
During this propagation period, some visitors might see your old site while others access the new one, which is completely normal. You can minimize this transition time by lowering your TTL values at least 24 hours before making the domain change. If you're working with a social validation tool for your website, make sure to update its settings once the propagation is complete to maintain social engagement features.
What should I check after changing my WordPress domain?
After changing your domain, systematically review your website to ensure everything functions correctly. Start by checking that all internal links point to your new domain rather than the old one. Test your navigation menus, footer links, and any call-to-action buttons to confirm they direct visitors to the correct URLs. Verify that your contact forms, search functionality, and e-commerce features (if applicable) work as expected.
Pay special attention to mixed content warnings, which occur when some resources still load from your old domain. These can break your site's functionality and affect user trust. Use a plugin like Better Search Replace to find and replace any remaining instances of your old domain in the database. If you've recently completed a framework update for your site's design, double-check that all components work harmoniously with your new domain configuration.
Can I change my domain without losing content?
Absolutely! When done correctly, changing your WordPress domain name preserves all your content, including posts, pages, media files, and user data. The key is following the proper migration process rather than simply building a new site. Your content resides in your database and uploads folder, both of which remain intact during a domain change.
The migration process involves updating references to your old domain within the database while keeping all your actual content untouched. This means your central repository for images and documents will transfer seamlessly to the new domain. Just ensure you maintain the same file structure and use reliable methods to update URLs in your database to prevent any content loss during the transition.
What's the difference between a domain name and web hosting?
| Domain Name | Web Hosting |
|---|---|
| Your website's address (URL) | Where your website files are stored |
| Directs visitors to your site | Stores and serves your site content |
| Purchased from domain registrars | Purchased from hosting providers |
| Can be changed without moving files | Changing requires migrating all files |
| Example: yoursite.com | Example: server computer storing your site |
Understanding this distinction is crucial because changing your domain name doesn't require moving your hosting, while changing hosts doesn't necessarily mean changing your domain. Many website owners maintain the same hosting while updating their domain during rebranding efforts. This separation gives you flexibility in managing different aspects of your online presence.
What common errors occur during domain changes?
Several common errors can disrupt your website during a domain transition. The most frequent issue is forgetting to update the WordPress Address and Site Address in both the database and WordPress settings, resulting in a broken site. Another common mistake is improper redirect implementation, which can create redirect loops or fail to pass SEO value to the new domain.
Many users encounter SSL certificate problems when moving to a new domain, particularly if they don't install a new certificate for the updated address. You might also face issues with domain verification problems in security tools that require reconfiguration after the change. These errors typically stem from incomplete implementation rather than the domain change itself, and most can be prevented with careful planning.
Professional WordPress Services at WPutopia
If the technical aspects of changing your domain name feel overwhelming, WPutopia offers comprehensive WordPress services to handle the entire process for you. Our experienced team manages domain transitions regularly, ensuring minimal downtime and preserving your SEO rankings. We provide complete WordPress maintenance, theme upgrades, plugin installation, and specialized migration services tailored to your specific needs. Whether you're rebranding or simply found the perfect domain, we'll make your transition smooth and stress-free while you focus on creating great content. For those exploring different tools for creating visual assets, we can also recommend solutions that integrate seamlessly with your updated WordPress site.
