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How to Move Your WordPress Site to Another Domain Easily

Posted on by William Zheng

Thinking of giving your WordPress site a fresh start with a new domain? Whether you’re rebranding, switching niches, or simply aiming for a more memorable web address, moving your site can feel daunting.

Making this transition smoothly is essential to keep your content, traffic, and search rankings intact. Many site owners wonder how to do it efficiently, without frustrating hiccups.

This article will guide you step-by-step through moving your WordPress site to a new domain, covering everything you need to know to make the process stress-free.

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Moving Your WordPress Site to Another Domain: A Step-by-Step Guide

Transferring your WordPress site to a new domain may sound like a daunting challenge, but with careful planning and methodical steps, it’s entirely manageable—even if you’re not a seasoned web developer. Whether you’re rebranding, upgrading your online presence, or simply changing your website address, this guide will take you through the process of moving your WordPress site to a new domain while minimizing risks, SEO disruptions, and downtime.

Why Move a WordPress Site to a New Domain?

There are several reasons why someone might move their WordPress website to a new domain:

  • Rebranding your business or personal blog.
  • Merging multiple websites under a single, stronger domain name.
  • Upgrading to a more memorable or professional domain.
  • Shifting to a niche-focused domain for better audience targeting.

Whatever your reason, it’s important to properly plan and execute the move to ensure your website’s content, rankings, and user experience remain intact.

The Essential Steps to Move a WordPress Site to Another Domain

Migrating a WordPress site involves several important stages. Let’s break down each one into simple, actionable steps.

1. Prepare for the Migration

Before starting, gather what you’ll need:

  • Access to your old and new domain hosts
  • Access to your website’s files and database (via your web host or a file manager)
  • Login credentials for your WordPress admin dashboard
  • A backup plugin or FTP client (recommended for safety)

Backup Your Website

Backing up your entire website is crucial. Create a full backup that includes:

  • All WordPress files (themes, plugins, uploads)
  • The complete WordPress database

You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus or manually backup using an FTP client and phpMyAdmin.

2. Move Your WordPress Files

There are two main ways to move your files:

Using a Plugin

  • Install a migration plugin such as Duplicator, All-in-One WP Migration, or UpdraftPlus.
  • Follow the plugin instructions to create a site package and move both files and the database to the new domain.

Manual Method

If you prefer doing things yourself:

  1. Download all WordPress files from your old domain using FTP/SFTP or your hosting control panel.
  2. Export your WordPress database via phpMyAdmin.
  3. Upload your files to the new domain’s web space.
  4. Import your database into the new hosting account (usually via phpMyAdmin).

3. Update the wp-config.php File

Your wp-config.php file controls the connection between your WordPress site and its database. On the new server:

  1. Edit the wp-config.php file.
  2. Update database credentials if necessary (database name, user, password, and host).

4. Update Site URL Settings

Within your database, make sure WordPress knows about its new address.

  • Access phpMyAdmin and open your new database.
  • Find the wp_options table (it may be called wp_x_options if you use a custom prefix).
  • Change the values for siteurl and home to your new domain URL.

5. Fix Internal Links and Media

Your content might contain URLs pointing to your old domain. There are tools to help:

  • Use a plugin like Better Search Replace to update all instances of your old domain with the new one in your database.
  • Pay special attention to image links, embedded media, and menus.

6. Set Up 301 Redirects

Preserving your SEO is critical. 301 redirects will send visitors (and search engines) from your old domain to your new one.

  • Add 301 redirect rules in the .htaccess file on your old domain. For Apache servers, use:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^old-domain\.com [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\.old-domain\.com [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.new-domain.com/$1 [L,R=301,NC]
  • For NGINX, use a similar approach in your server configuration.

7. Inform Google and Other Search Engines

Help search engines update their records:

  • Log in to Google Search Console and add your new domain property.
  • Use the “Change of Address” tool in Google Search Console to notify Google about the domain move.
  • Submit sitemaps for both domains to encourage faster indexing.

8. Test Everything

  • Visit your new domain and click through all pages and features.
  • Test contact forms, search, e-commerce, and major interactive elements.
  • Check both on desktop and mobile devices.
  • Use online tools to check redirects and monitor crawl errors.

Best Practices and Expert Tips

Keep Both Domains Active Temporarily

  • Keep your old domain and hosting active for at least a month after migrating.
  • This ensures all 301 redirects keep working and search engines have time to process the change.

Announce the Move to Your Audience

  • Let your users know about the new domain.
  • Share updates on social media and through newsletters.

Monitor SEO and Analytics Closely

  • Watch for sudden drops in organic traffic or rankings.
  • Monitor Google Analytics and Search Console for crawl issues or broken links.
  • Fix 404 errors promptly.

Mind Your Permalinks

  • Be sure your permalink structure (URL format for posts/pages) matches your old website.
  • This maintains consistency and prevents additional broken links.

Clean Up: Update Third-Party Services

  • Update your domain on social media profiles, business directories, and any external services.
  • Change email addresses if they use your domain.

Typical Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Challenge 1: Broken Links and Media

  • Tip: Run a crawl of your new site using a tool like Screaming Frog (or an equivalent) to find and fix broken links.

Challenge 2: Lost SEO Value

  • Tip: Implement 301 redirects carefully and check for any technical mistakes. Keep the old domain’s redirects in place for at least 6–12 months.

Challenge 3: Downtime or Site Outages

  • Tip: Move during low-traffic hours. Test everything on a staging site before going live.

Challenge 4: Forgotten External References

  • Tip: Make a checklist of every place you’ve linked your website (email signatures, forums, directories, business cards). Update as many as possible.

Challenge 5: Email Disruption

  • Tip: If you use domain-based email, make sure your MX records are also updated with the new domain.

Costs to Consider When Moving a Domain

Transferring a WordPress website doesn’t have to break the bank, but some expenses are common:

  • Domain registration — Buying your new domain name.
  • Hosting — If changing hosts, factor in new hosting plan costs.
  • Migration plugins — Most have free versions, but advanced features might cost extra.
  • Professional help — Hiring a developer or agency can cost from $100 to several hundred dollars.
  • Premium tools — Plugins for search and replace, or backup solutions, may have pro editions.

Tip: Always check for bundled migration services with your web host. Many reputable WordPress hosts offer free migration and support.

Shortcuts: Using Migration Plugins

If you’re intimidated by the technicalities, migration plugins can simplify the process. Plugins like Duplicator, All-in-One WP Migration, and UpdraftPlus are popular choices that automate backups, file transfers, and even URL changes with just a few clicks. They’re ideal for beginners and can minimize the risk of human error.

Conclusion

Moving your WordPress site to a new domain is a big move, but with the right approach, it’s entirely manageable. The keys to a successful migration are preparation, careful execution, and post-move monitoring. Take the time to back everything up, implement 301 redirects, update your URLs, and notify search engines. In a few short steps, your website can enjoy its fresh start on its new online address—without sacrificing your hard-earned traffic or content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long will my SEO rankings take to recover after moving to a new domain?
It usually takes several weeks, sometimes up to a few months, for rankings to fully transition to your new domain. Implementing proper 301 redirects and informing Google via Search Console can help speed up this process.

Do I need to keep my old domain after moving?
Yes, you should keep your old domain active for several months—ideally 6 to 12—so 301 redirects remain in place. This helps search engines and users find your new site easily.

Will my site experience any downtime during the migration?
If you plan carefully and perform the move during low-traffic periods, downtime can be minimal or even nonexistent. Using a migration plugin or staging site will also help reduce the risk.

Can I move my WordPress site without using a plugin?
Yes, you can perform a manual migration by backing up your files and database, uploading them to the new host, and updating your URLs. However, plugins make the process much easier, especially for beginners.

What should I do if I find broken links after moving my site?
Use a search and replace plugin to update old URLs site-wide. Then, run a site crawl to identify and fix any lingering issues. Set up 301 redirects for any pages that have changed locations to maintain a seamless experience for users and search engines.

By following the steps above and staying attentive throughout the process, you’ll put your WordPress website on the path to success at its new domain home.

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