Ever wished you could switch your WordPress website’s domain name without losing your hard-earned progress? Perhaps you’re rebranding, shifting focus, or simply found a better name. Changing your domain might sound daunting, but it’s a common need as websites grow and evolve.
This article explains why your domain matters and guides you step-by-step through changing it on WordPress. You’ll also get practical tips for a smooth transition and insights to help maintain your site’s SEO and functionality.
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How to Change Your Domain Name in WordPress: The Complete Guide
Changing your WordPress website’s domain name might seem daunting, but it’s a manageable process when you know the steps. Whether you’re rebranding, switching to a more professional domain, or migrating to a new business name, it’s essential to handle the change carefully. This ensures your visitors, SEO rankings, and website functionality remain intact.
Ready to take the leap? Let’s walk through what’s involved, the step-by-step process, practical tips, and everything else you need to know about changing your domain name in WordPress.
Why Change Your Domain Name?
There are several reasons you might want to change the domain name of your WordPress site:
- Rebranding your business or website.
- Upgrading to a more catchy, memorable, or professional domain.
- Fixing typos or confusing naming.
- Merging with another site or company.
- Reflecting an expanded focus or service area.
Whatever your reason, planning is key to a smooth transition.
What Happens When You Change Your Domain Name?
Changing your domain name involves more than just buying a new web address. You’ll be updating the way visitors find your website. Some adjustments you’ll need to make include:
- Updating your WordPress and hosting settings.
- Redirecting old URLs to the new domain.
- Informing search engines about the change.
- Updating links and resources throughout your site.
Properly following each step will help prevent broken links, lost search rankings, or confused visitors.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your WordPress Domain Name
Here’s a simple roadmap for a successful switch:
1. Back Up Your Website
Before making any big changes, create a full backup of your website files and database. This step is crucial. In case anything goes wrong, you’ll be able to restore your site without losing data.
- Use backup plugins like UpdraftPlus or your host’s backup tools.
- Download the backup files to your local computer for safety.
2. Purchase and Prepare Your New Domain
If you haven’t already, register your new domain name with a reputable domain registrar. Make sure you:
- Choose a high-quality domain that’s easy to remember and matches your brand.
- Point your new domain to the same web hosting where your WordPress site resides (adjust DNS settings as needed).
3. Add the New Domain to Your Hosting Account
Most hosting providers (like Bluehost, WP Engine, Hostinger, GoDaddy) let you add additional domains through your hosting dashboard.
- Log in to your hosting control panel.
- Add the new domain to your account (as an add-on or primary domain, depending on your needs).
- Assign it to the correct directory where your WordPress files are stored.
4. Update WordPress Site Address and Home URL
Now you’ll need to tell WordPress to use the new domain:
- Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Go to Settings > General.
- Update both the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) fields to your new domain (e.g., https://yournewdomain.com).
- Click Save Changes.
Your website may temporarily log you out. Log back in using the new domain.
For Some Managed Hosts
Hosts like WP Engine or Bluehost sometimes handle this for you or offer specific tools to make the switch seamless. Check your host’s knowledge base for tailored instructions.
5. Update Domain in wp-config.php (Optional)
Sometimes, especially if you can’t access the dashboard, you’ll need to set the new domain in your site’s core files.
- Connect to your site via FTP or use your host’s File Manager.
- Find and edit the
wp-config.phpfile. - Add these lines, replacing with your new domain:
php
define('WP_HOME', 'https://yournewdomain.com');
define('WP_SITEURL', 'https://yournewdomain.com');
- Save the file.
6. Update Your Site Links and Resources
Your website probably has links pointing to your old domain—not just in menus, but also in image paths, buttons, blog posts, and more.
- Use a plugin like “Better Search Replace” to search for and replace your old domain with the new one throughout your database.
- Check and update any hard-coded links, especially in custom code or theme files.
- Update internal links, image links, and any downloadable resources.
7. Set Up 301 Redirects From Old Domain
You don’t want visitors (or search engines) who visit your old domain to hit a dead end! Set up Permanent (301) Redirects so all traffic gets forwarded to your new domain.
- Access your site’s
.htaccessfile (for Apache servers). - Add redirect rules like:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^old-domain\.com$ [OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\.old-domain\.com$
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ "https\:\/\/yournewdomain\.com\/$1" [R=301,L]
- If you’re using NGINX or managed WordPress hosting, consult their documentation or support teams for the right way to set up redirects.
8. Inform Google and Other Search Engines
Help search engines understand your site has moved to a new address:
- In Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools, add and verify your new domain.
- Use the Change of Address tool to inform Google about the move.
- Submit a new sitemap with the updated URLs.
9. Update External Services
Anywhere you used the old domain, update to the new one:
- Social media profiles and business directories.
- Email signatures and marketing materials.
- Third-party integrations (Google Analytics, Mailchimp, payment gateways).
- Email addresses and contact forms tied to your domain.
10. Test Everything
After everything looks updated:
- Visit different pages on your site using the new domain.
- Test forms, shopping carts, and logins.
- Click internal links and images to ensure they aren’t broken.
- Make sure old URLs correctly redirect to the new domain.
If issues arise, restore your backup and try again or consult your host’s support.
Benefits of Changing Your Domain Name (When Done Right)
Changing your domain name can be a great move for your brand, provided it’s done carefully:
- Improved Branding: Reflect a new direction or professional image.
- Better SEO Opportunities: Choose a keyword-rich or memorable domain.
- Increased Trust: Upgrade from free or less professional domains to your own custom address.
- Tidier Digital Footprint: Eliminate confusion or rebrand after a business pivot.
Challenges and Considerations
Switching your WordPress domain isn’t without risk. Keep these challenges in mind:
- Possible traffic dip as search engines re-index your new URLs.
- Broken links or lost SEO juice if redirects aren’t set up properly.
- Need to re-verify with Google and other web services.
- Time spent updating marketing, emails, and integrations.
- Potential confusion for returning visitors—set up a notice or announcement.
Practical Tips and Best Practices
Here’s how you can make the transition as smooth as possible:
- Plan During Low Traffic: Schedule the change during a low-activity time to avoid disrupting your visitors.
- Notify Your Audience: Use banners, pop-ups, email, or social posts to let users know about the new address.
- Monitor Analytics: Keep an eye on traffic and fix issues quickly.
- Check SSL Certificates: Secure your new domain with HTTPS. Many hosts provide free SSL certificates.
- Retain Old Domain: Don’t let your old domain expire right away! Keep it for at least a year to ensure proper redirection and catch stragglers.
- Double-Check Redirects: Missed redirects are a leading cause of SEO problems after a domain change.
- Document Everything: Keep track of all changes made during the process for troubleshooting.
Cost Tips for Changing a WordPress Domain
While changing your WordPress domain is mostly about configuration, there may be some costs:
- Domain Registration: New domains typically cost $10–$20 per year.
- SSL Certificates: Basic certificates are often free; advanced validation may cost more.
- Hosting Fees: No added cost if staying with your current provider, though switching hosts may involve migration fees.
- Premium Plugins/Tools: Optional, but some migration or redirect plugins may have premium versions with extra features.
No shipping or delivery charges are typically involved—it’s entirely digital.
Summary: What to Expect Moving Forward
Changing your WordPress domain name is a big step, but by planning ahead and following the right steps, you’ll successfully guide your brand to a fresh web address with minimal headaches. The key is thorough preparation, careful updates, and proactive communication with your audience and search engines. With a little patience and attention to detail, you’ll enjoy your new domain and brand identity in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I change my domain name on WordPress.com?
On WordPress.com, go to your account dashboard and use the ‘Domains’ section to add and set your new domain as primary. You can also purchase a domain directly in WordPress.com. Old addresses can be redirected with their Site Redirect tool.
Will changing my domain name affect my SEO?
A well-executed domain change with proper 301 redirects and notification to search engines will minimize SEO impact. There may be a temporary dip, but your rankings typically recover as Google indexes your new URLs.
Can I switch my WordPress domain without losing content?
Yes! As long as you back up your site and carefully follow the migration steps, all your posts, pages, images, and data move with you. Update internal links so that there are no broken connections.
Do I need a new hosting account to change my domain?
Not necessarily. Most web hosts allow you to attach multiple domains or change your primary domain without moving your files. Check your host’s documentation or support for details.
How long should I keep my old domain after switching?
Keep your old domain with 301 redirects active for at least 6–12 months (ideally longer). This helps ensure visitors and search engines have time to update and you don’t lose valuable traffic.
Changing your WordPress site’s domain name is a powerful way to rebrand or level up your business. Follow these guidelines, take your time, and your transition will be both successful and stress-free.