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Hostinger: How to Change Your Domain Name Step-by-Step

Posted on by William Zheng

Thinking of giving your website a fresh start with a new domain name? Whether you’re rebranding, changing direction, or simply found a better name, knowing how to update your domain on Hostinger is crucial.

A domain change affects your site’s identity, search rankings, and how visitors find you. This article will guide you through the step-by-step process on Hostinger, offer essential tips, and help you avoid common pitfalls—so your transition goes smoothly.

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How to Change Your Domain Name With Hostinger: A Complete Guide

Changing your domain name can feel like a big decision, whether you’re rebranding, correcting a name, or just improving your site’s visibility. With Hostinger, updating your domain name is possible, but it involves a few important steps and considerations. This guide will walk you through the process, outline potential challenges, and share practical tips to help you switch domains smoothly while protecting your website’s performance and SEO.

Can You Change a Domain Name in Hostinger?

The short answer is: you cannot alter an existing domain name after you’ve purchased or registered it. Domain names are unique digital addresses—once bought, their spelling and structure remain fixed.

However, if you want to switch your website to a new domain, you can:

  • Purchase a new domain through Hostinger or another registrar.
  • Move your site’s content to the new domain.
  • Connect the new domain to your existing hosting plan.

This means that while “editing” a domain name isn’t possible, changing your website’s domain is very achievable with careful planning.

Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Domain Name in Hostinger

Switching your website to a new domain involves several key stages. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown to guide you from start to finish.

1. Register Your New Domain Name

To start, you need to secure your new desired domain name.

  • Go to your Hostinger dashboard.
  • Search for the availability of your preferred domain.
  • Complete the registration and payment process.

Tip: Act quickly. Domain names are unique and can be taken by others at any time.

2. Add the New Domain to Your Hosting Account

Once you own the new domain:

  • Log in to your Hostinger control panel (hPanel).
  • Find the section labeled ‘Domains’ or ‘Add Website.’
  • Add your new domain to your hosting account, either as a primary domain, an addon, or an alias, depending on your hosting setup.

3. Move Website Content (If Needed)

If your website was previously built on the old domain, you’ll need to transfer all files and database content to match the new address.

For WordPress Sites

  • Update the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) under Settings > General to the new domain.
  • Change any hardcoded links within your database and site files (such as images, internal navigation) to refer to the new domain.
  • Use plugins (like ‘Better Search Replace’ or ‘WP Migrate DB’) to make this process easier.
  • Test your website thoroughly to ensure all links work.

For Hostinger Website Builder (Hostinger’s native platform)

  • In your site’s dashboard, look for the ‘Change Domain’ or ‘Domains’ section.
  • Follow the guided prompts to connect your new domain.
  • Publish your site under the new address.

For Other CMS or Static Sites

  • Update site configuration files to reflect the new domain.
  • If you use environment variables or custom scripts, ensure all references use the new domain.

4. Redirect the Old Domain to the New Domain

Setting up redirection is crucial for SEO and visitor experience.

  • Add a 301 redirect from your old domain to your new domain in your .htaccess file (for Apache), or use your hosting’s control panel to create redirects.
  • This tells search engines and visitors their requested pages have permanently moved.
  • Ensure every old URL forwards correctly to its counterpart on the new domain.

5. Update DNS Records

Your new domain needs to point to your website’s server.

  • Update the A record of your new domain to match your hosting account’s IP address.
  • If using Hostinger nameservers, set the proper nameservers as shown in your Hostinger dashboard.

Note: DNS propagation may take up to 48 hours. During this time, some users may still see your old domain.

6. Inform Search Engines and Update Integrations

  • Submit a new sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
  • Use the ‘Change of Address’ tool in Google Search Console.
  • Update any external links or profiles (social media, business listings, links from partners) to use your new domain.
  • Update Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, and any third-party integrations to prevent tracking interruptions.

Benefits of Changing Your Domain Name

Switching to a better domain name can have several advantages:

  • Improved Branding: A clear, memorable domain boosts your brand’s authority.
  • Better SEO Opportunities: Shorter or keyword-rich domains can improve click-through rates and rankings.
  • Correction or Modernization: Rebrand easily if your old domain was hard to spell, too long, or outdated.
  • Geo-targeting: Use country-specific domains to target local audiences.

Challenges to Be Aware Of

Changing your website’s domain is not without its hurdles. Here are key issues to anticipate:

  • SEO Impact: Switching domains may temporarily affect your search rankings if not managed carefully.
  • Technical Complexities: Updating databases, redirects, and links can be intricate for larger sites.
  • Downtime Risks: If not planned well, visitors might see errors or be unable to access your site.
  • External Links Loss: Some third-party sites might not update their links, potentially affecting referral traffic.

Practical Tips & Best Practices

Switching your domain is significant, but a smooth migration is achievable with these tips:

  • Backup Everything: Before making changes, back up your site files and databases.
  • Test the New Site: Preview and test your new domain thoroughly before switching traffic.
  • Retain Control of the Old Domain: Keep your previous domain active for at least several months with 301 redirects in place.
  • Communicate with Users: Announce the change on your site and through your marketing channels.
  • Monitor SEO Performance: Track your rankings, organic traffic, and crawl errors daily post-migration.
  • Update Email Addresses: If your email addresses depend on your domain, create replacements for the new domain and forward messages as needed.
  • Seek Hostinger Support: Hostinger offers 24/7 support. Reach out if you’re unsure about any step.

Cost Considerations

Let’s look at the common cost aspects involved when changing a domain name with Hostinger:

  • Domain Registration: Purchasing a new domain incurs a yearly fee (prices vary by domain extension).
  • Renewal Fees: Both your original and new domains will need to be renewed if you want to keep them active for redirects.
  • Premium Domain Names: Desirable domains may have higher upfront costs.
  • No Shipping Costs: Because domain changes and registrations are fully digital, there’s no shipping fee.
  • Site Migration Help: If you need hands-on migration assistance from Hostinger or a web developer, additional service fees may apply.

You can minimize costs by:

  • Opting for regular (non-premium) domains.
  • Managing the migration process yourself if you’re comfortable with technical steps.
  • Using free plugins for WordPress migrations.

Summary

Changing your domain name in Hostinger boils down to buying a new domain and migrating your site content, instead of directly altering the existing domain name. By following the outlined steps—registering a new domain, moving content, updating URLs, setting up redirects, managing DNS, and informing search engines—you can ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption. Remember to back up your site, keep both domains active temporarily, monitor performance, and take advantage of Hostinger’s support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I just edit my current domain name on Hostinger without buying a new one?
No. Once a domain is purchased, its name can’t be edited. To use a different name, you’ll need to register a new domain and move your site over.

What happens to my old domain after I switch to a new one?
Your old domain remains yours until it expires. It’s best to keep it active and set up 301 redirects so visitors and search engines find your new site.

Will changing my domain affect my website’s SEO?
There may be temporary effects, but setting up proper 301 redirects and updating your sitemap will help search engines recognize the move, preserving most SEO value.

Do I need to pay extra to change my domain on Hostinger?
You’ll need to pay for the registration of the new domain. Additional costs may apply if you require migration assistance, but the technical process itself does not have a “domain change fee.”

How long does it take for my new domain to be fully updated worldwide?
DNS changes typically take between a few hours and 48 hours to propagate globally. During this period, visitors might see either your old or new site depending on their location.

Changing your domain with Hostinger is a significant move but entirely doable with careful planning and the steps above. If you encounter unique challenges, Hostinger’s support team is ready to assist you at every stage.

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