How to Change Web Address on WordPress: Easy Step-by-Step…

Ever found yourself needing to update the web address of your WordPress site—maybe for rebranding, better SEO, or switching domains—but weren’t sure where to start? You’re not alone. Changing your website’s address is a common task, but it’s crucial to get it right to avoid broken links or lost visitors.

In this article, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to smoothly change your WordPress site’s address, along with helpful tips to ensure a seamless transition.

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How to Change the Web Address (URL) on WordPress: Step-by-Step Guide

Changing your WordPress website’s web address (also known as the URL or domain) might sound technical, but it’s a task many site owners face as their brands grow or require a rebrand. Whether you’re switching from a development URL to a live one, rebranding, or moving to a new domain, you’ll want to do this correctly to avoid issues with accessibility, SEO, and user confusion.

Let’s break down everything you need to know—including multiple methods, practical tips, and the most common challenges you might face.

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Why Change Your WordPress Web Address?

Before diving into the “how,” it’s useful to know why you might want or need to change your site’s URL. Common reasons include:

• Rebranding to a new business or domain name.
• Shifting between HTTP and HTTPS for improved security.
• Moving from a subdomain (like blog.yoursite.com) to the main domain (yoursite.com).
• Migrating from a test or staging site to the live production site.

Regardless of the reason, changing your site’s web address properly ensures both users and search engines can find and trust your site.

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Key Considerations Before Changing Your WordPress URL

Making changes to your website’s address isn’t something to rush into. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you start:

• Backup Your Site: Always back up your files and database before making significant changes.
• Plan for Redirects: Changing your URL can affect SEO. Setting up redirects helps preserve your site’s rankings and ensures visitors are sent to the correct address.
• Update All Internal Links: Content that links to the old address will need updating to prevent broken links.
• Notify Users: If your site is live and has visitors, consider informing them about the upcoming changes.

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Methods for Changing Your WordPress Web Address

There are several reliable ways to update your website URL in WordPress. The right method for you will depend on your site’s setup and your level of technical comfort. Let’s explore each option in detail.

1. Change the URL in the WordPress Admin Dashboard

This is usually the simplest method, ideal for most users.

Steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
2. Navigate to Settings > General.
3. Locate the fields labeled WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL).
   • WordPress Address (URL): Where your core files are located.
   • Site Address (URL): What visitors use to reach your site.
4. Update both fields to reflect your new URL.
5. Scroll down and click Save Changes.

Tip: If you can’t access your admin panel, or you lock yourself out after changing the URL, don’t worry—other methods can help.

2. Update the URL Using the wp-config.php File

Great for situations where you can’t access your dashboard.

Steps:

1. Access your website files using an FTP client or File Manager in your web hosting control panel.
2. Find the wp-config.php file in your WordPress root directory.
3. Open the file in a text editor.
4. Add these lines, replacing the URLs with your new address:
   define('WP_HOME', 'https://yournewdomain.com');
define('WP_SITEURL', 'https://yournewdomain.com');
5. Save the file and upload it if necessary.

Benefit: Hardcoding the address here overrides settings in the admin dashboard, ensuring WordPress uses your specified URL.

3. Change the URL Directly in the Database via phpMyAdmin

Use this method if you’re comfortable navigating databases.

Steps:

1. Log in to your hosting control panel and open phpMyAdmin.
2. Select your WordPress database.
3. Find the wp_options table (it might be named differently if you use a custom prefix).
4. Locate the siteurl and home rows.
5. Edit both to match your new URL.
6. Save changes.

Caution: Be precise. A typo can break your site, so double-check your entries.

4. Use a WordPress Plugin

There are plugins available to make the process easier, especially for large migrations.

• Plugins can help find and replace old URLs throughout your database, not just in settings.
• They also manage things like updating image URLs and internal links.

Some popular choices include migration plugins and search-and-replace plugins. If you’re not comfortable with code or want a more automated process, this can be a great option.

5. Contact Your Hosting Provider

Some managed WordPress hosts offer tools to change domains or move sites to new addresses. Check your host’s dashboard or ask their support team for specific options.

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After Changing Your WordPress URL: Essential Steps

Once your site’s URL is updated, there’s a little more to do to ensure your website runs smoothly.

1. Set Up Redirects

• Use 301 redirects from your old address to the new one to preserve SEO value and guide visitors.
• You can do this via your .htaccess file (for Apache servers) or your host’s control panel.
• Plugins exist that make redirect management simple.

2. Update Internal Links and Media

• Go through your pages, posts, menus, widgets, and update any links pointing to the old URL.
• Use search-and-replace plugins to do this sitewide.
• Update image and media file links as well.

3. Inform Google and Search Engines

• Update your site address in Google Search Console.
• Resubmit your sitemap to help search engines reindex your site quickly.
• Update any services or integrations that rely on your website’s URL.

4. Test Your Website

• Visit different pages to check that everything is loading correctly.
• Test your login page, images, and all navigation links.
• Watch for mixed content warnings if moving from HTTP to HTTPS.

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Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced site owners can encounter hurdles. Here are some common issues and how to handle them:

• Locked Out of WordPress: If a URL change prevents you from logging in, use the wp-config.php or database method to correct your address.
• Broken Links or Images: Use plugins to rewrite all internal references to your new URL.
• Loss of SEO Ranking: Use proper 301 redirects to retain traffic and search rankings.
• Mixed Content Errors: Ensure all internal links, images, scripts, stylesheets use the correct protocol (e.g., all HTTPS).

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Practical Tips and Best Practices

• Always Backup First: This single step prevents headaches if something goes wrong during the change.
• Update Permalink Structure: After changing the URL, go to Settings > Permalinks and resave your preferred structure to update WordPress’s internal rewrite rules.
• Notify Your Audience: Send an announcement email or a pop-up on your site to let users know about the change.
• Check Social and Marketing Campaigns: Update your domain in all brand profiles, social networks, and advertising campaigns.
• Be Patient: Search engines may take some time to reflect your new address in search results.

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Cost Considerations

For most users, changing your WordPress URL comes at no additional cost if you already own the new domain and manage the process yourself. Here’s what to consider:

• Domain Purchase: If you’re buying a new domain name, there will be a registration fee (usually between $10 and $20 per year).
• Professional Help: Hiring a developer or using managed migration services can add to the cost.
• Premium Plugins/Hosting: Some plugins or hosts may charge for advanced migration or domain management features.
• SSL Certificates: Moving from HTTP to HTTPS requires an SSL certificate, which some hosts provide for free, others may charge.

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Summary

Changing your WordPress web address is a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. Whether you use the admin dashboard, the wp-config.php file, phpMyAdmin, or a plugin, always back up your site, plan for redirects, and update all references to your old URL. Careful preparation ensures a smooth transition both for your visitors and search engines. Don’t rush, double-check everything, and enjoy your refreshed site!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I change the WordPress URL if I can’t access the admin dashboard?
If you can’t log in, use FTP to edit your wp-config.php file or use phpMyAdmin to change the siteurl and home fields in your database. These methods bypass the dashboard completely.

Do I lose SEO rankings if I change my website’s URL?
You may temporarily see changes, but setting up proper 301 redirects from your old domain to the new one helps preserve your SEO rankings. Update your information in Google Search Console for better indexing.

What’s the difference between ‘WordPress Address (URL)’ and ‘Site Address (URL)’?
‘WordPress Address’ is where your WordPress files and folders are located. ‘Site Address’ is what people enter in their browsers to reach your website. Usually, they’re the same, but they can differ if WordPress is installed in a subfolder.

How do I fix broken links after changing the URL?
Use a search-and-replace plugin to update old URLs throughout your content, menus, and widgets. Double-check your settings and test critical pages for any missed links or images.

Do I need an SSL certificate when changing to HTTPS?
Yes. If you update your site to use HTTPS (the secure protocol), you’ll need an SSL certificate. Many hosts provide this for free; otherwise, you’ll need to purchase one. This ensures your site is secure and accessible over https://.

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By following these clear steps and keeping best practices in mind, you can change your WordPress website’s web address with confidence and minimal disruption. If you need a detailed walkthrough or face unique challenges, consult your web host or a trusted WordPress expert for further help.