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Transfer your WordPress Website to A New Domain Name Without Affecting SEO and Rankings.
reading time
Reading Time:
00:06 Minutes
implement time
Implement Time:
00:20 Minutes

Transfer Your WordPress Website to a New Domain Without Losing SEO Rankings

Transferring a WordPress website to a new domain can be challenging, especially if you want to maintain your SEO rankings. Whether you're rebranding or switching to a better domain, a smooth transition is crucial. This guide will help you migrate your site without affecting SEO, ensuring your traffic and search engine visibility remain intact.

Things to Consider Before Transferring Your WordPress Website

Before you start the migration process, consider the following:

  • SEO Impact: Changing the domain affects SEO if not handled correctly. Proper redirection is necessary.
  • Backups: Always take a full backup of your website before making any changes.
  • Downtime: Plan your migration during off-peak hours to minimize downtime.
  • DNS Propagation Time: DNS changes may take up to 48 hours to reflect worldwide.
  • Google Search Console: Update Google Search Console with your new domain.

Now, let’s move step by step to transfer your WordPress site manually and using plugins.

Manual Process: Moving Your WordPress Website to a New Domain

The manual migration process involves copying files, transferring the database, and setting up necessary redirects. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Backup Your Website

Before making any changes, create a full backup of your WordPress files and database.

  • Use cPanel File Manager or FTP (like FileZilla) to download all WordPress files.
  • Export the WordPress database using phpMyAdmin.
Step 2: Transfer Files to the New Domain

Upload the downloaded WordPress files to the new domain’s root directory using FTP or File Manager.

Step 3: Create a New Database & Import Data
  • Go to your new domain's hosting panel and create a new MySQL database.
  • Import the old database into this new one using phpMyAdmin.
Step 4: Update wp-config.php

Modify your wp-config.php file to connect WordPress to the new database.

PHP
define('DB_NAME', 'new_database_name'); 
define('DB_USER', 'new_database_user'); 
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_database_password'); 
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

Save the file and close it.

Step 5: Update the Site URL in the Database
  • Open phpMyAdmin and go to the wp_options table.
  • Update the siteurl and home values with your new domain.
SQL
UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = 'https://newdomain.com' WHERE option_name = 'siteurl';
UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = 'https://newdomain.com' WHERE option_name = 'home';
Step 6: Set Up 301 Redirects (SEO Friendly)

To preserve SEO rankings, set up 301 redirects from the old domain to the new one by adding the following code in .htaccess:

STRUCTURED-TEXT
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^oldwebsite\.com [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://newwebsite.com/$1 [L,R=301]
Step 7: Update Google Search Console & Sitemap
  • Add your new domain to Google Search Console.
  • Submit a new sitemap.
  • Use the Change of Address tool in Google Search Console.

At this point, your manual migration is complete.

Using a Plugin to Transfer WordPress Website

For those who prefer an easier method, plugins like All-in-One WP Migration and Duplicator make the process simple.

Using All-in-One WP Migration
  1. Install and activate All-in-One WP Migration on both the old and new sites.
  2. Go to All-in-One WP Migration > Export on the old site.
  3. Click Export To > File and download the backup.
  4. On the new site, install WordPress and the plugin.
  5. Go to Import and upload the backup file.
  6. Once the import is complete, update permalinks in Settings > Permalinks.
Using Duplicator
  1. Install and activate Duplicator on the old site.
  2. Create a New Package and click Build.
  3. Download both the Installer and Archive files.
  4. Upload these files to your new domain’s root directory.
  5. Run https://newdomain.com/installer.php and follow the on-screen instructions.

This method ensures a quick and hassle-free migration.

Expert Tips for a Smooth WordPress Migration

  • Perform the migration during off-peak hours to avoid downtime.
  • Use a staging environment to test the new site before switching domains.
  • Update all internal links in your content, menus, and widgets.
  • Check for broken links using tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider.
  • Monitor Google Search Console for crawl errors and fix them immediately.

Final Thoughts: Successfully Migrating Your WordPress Site Without Losing SEO

Transferring your WordPress website to a new domain is a delicate process that requires careful planning. Whether you migrate manually or use plugins, always set up proper 301 redirects, update your database, and notify Google Search Console. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth transition without harming your SEO rankings.

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