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:

  1. Backup your site: Before making any changes, make sure to backup your WordPress site, including the database and files.
  2. Update your DNS: Update your DNS settings to point to the new domain. This may take some time to propagate, so be patient.
  3. 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

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Settings > General.
  2. Update the WordPress Address and Site Address fields to reflect the new domain.
  3. Save your changes.

Step 2: Update your database

  1. Export your database using phpMyAdmin or a similar tool.
  2. Update the database tables to reflect the new domain:
    • Search for site_url and home_url in the wp_options table and update them to reflect the new domain.
    • Search for url in the wp_posts table and update it to reflect the new domain.
  3. Import the updated database into your new hosting environment.

Step 3: Update your files

  1. Upload your WordPress files to the new hosting environment using FTP or SFTP.
  2. Update the wp-config.php file to reflect the new database credentials and domain.
  3. Update the wp-content/uploads directory to reflect the new domain.

Step 4: Update your plugins and themes

  1. Update your plugins and themes to reflect the new domain.
  2. Check for any plugin or theme conflicts that may arise from the domain change.

Step 5: Update your DNS

  1. Update your DNS settings to point to the new domain.
  2. Verify that your site is resolving to the new domain.

Step 6: Test your site

  1. Test your site to ensure that it's functioning correctly and that all links are pointing to the new domain.
  2. Check for any broken links or images.

Additional tips:

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!