How to transfer wordpress site to new domain
Transferring a WordPress site to a new domain can be a bit of a process, but it's definitely doable. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through it:
Before you start:
- Backup your site: Before making any changes, make sure to backup your WordPress site, including the database and files.
- Update your DNS: Update your DNS settings to point to the new domain. This may take some time to propagate, so be patient.
- Check your hosting: Ensure that your hosting provider allows you to transfer domains and that you have the necessary permissions.
Step 1: Update your WordPress configuration
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Settings > General.
- Update the WordPress Address and Site Address fields to reflect the new domain.
- Save your changes.
Step 2: Update your database
- Export your database using phpMyAdmin or a similar tool.
- Update the database tables to reflect the new domain:
- Search for
site_url
andhome_url
in thewp_options
table and update them to reflect the new domain. - Search for
url
in thewp_posts
table and update it to reflect the new domain.
- Search for
- Import the updated database into your new hosting environment.
Step 3: Update your files
- Upload your WordPress files to the new hosting environment using FTP or SFTP.
- Update the
wp-config.php
file to reflect the new database credentials and domain. - Update the
wp-content/uploads
directory to reflect the new domain.
Step 4: Update your plugins and themes
- Update your plugins and themes to reflect the new domain.
- Check for any plugin or theme conflicts that may arise from the domain change.
Step 5: Update your DNS
- Update your DNS settings to point to the new domain.
- Verify that your site is resolving to the new domain.
Step 6: Test your site
- Test your site to ensure that it's functioning correctly and that all links are pointing to the new domain.
- Check for any broken links or images.
Additional tips:
- Make sure to update your site's sitemap and robots.txt files to reflect the new domain.
- Update your Google Analytics and Search Console settings to reflect the new domain.
- Consider updating your site's SSL certificate to reflect the new domain.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully transfer your WordPress site to a new domain. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, feel free to ask!