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November 23, 2024 Wordpress

How to Change Your Website URL in WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide

Changing your website URL in WordPress might seem like a daunting task, but it’s an essential process for many website owners. Whether you’re rebranding, moving to a new domain, or shifting from HTTP to HTTPS, the process can significantly impact your website’s SEO and functionality. This guide will walk you through the steps to update your WordPress URL effectively, ensuring a smooth transition and minimal disruptions.

Why Change Your WordPress Website URL?

There are several reasons why you might need to change your WordPress website URL:

  1. Rebranding: You’ve decided to rename your business and need a new domain to reflect it.
  2. Switching to HTTPS: Upgrading to a secure protocol (SSL) for better security and SEO.
  3. Migrating to a New Domain: Moving your site to a new domain for expansion or better branding.
  4. Testing or Staging Sites: Transitioning from a temporary development URL to the live site URL.

Steps to Change Your Website URL in WordPress

1. Backup Your Website

Before making any changes, it’s crucial to back up your website. Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy, or manually download your website files and database. This ensures you can restore your site if anything goes wrong during the URL update process.

2. Update the URL in WordPress Settings

The simplest way to change your website URL is through the WordPress dashboard.

  1. Log in to your WordPress admin panel.
  2. Navigate to Settings > General.
  3. Update the following fields:
    • WordPress Address (URL): This is the location of your WordPress installation.
    • Site Address (URL): This is the public-facing address of your website.
  4. Click Save Changes.

💡 Pro Tip: Ensure the new URL matches your desired structure. For example, if switching to HTTPS, include https:// in the URL.

3. Update the wp-config.php File (Optional)

For some configurations, you might need to hardcode the new URL in the wp-config.php file. This method overrides settings in the WordPress dashboard.

  1. Access your site via an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) or your hosting file manager.
  2. Locate the wp-config.php file in the root directory.
  3. Add the following lines: 
    define('WP_HOME', 'https://yournewdomain.com');
define('WP_SITEURL', 'https://yournewdomain.com');
  4. Save and upload the file.

4. Update Links in Your Database

Changing your URL in WordPress settings doesn’t automatically update all the links in your database. You need to replace the old URL with the new one.

  • Use plugins like Better Search Replace or Velvet Blues Update URLs to bulk update URLs in your database.
  • Alternatively, run an SQL query via phpMyAdmin: 
    UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = replace(option_value, 'http://oldurl.com', 'http://newurl.com') WHERE option_name = 'home' OR option_name = 'siteurl';
UPDATE wp_posts SET guid = replace(guid, 'http://oldurl.com', 'http://newurl.com');
UPDATE wp_posts SET post_content = replace(post_content, 'http://oldurl.com', 'http://newurl.com');
UPDATE wp_postmeta SET meta_value = replace(meta_value, 'http://oldurl.com', 'http://newurl.com');

⚠️ Caution: Always back up your database before making changes.

5. Set Up Redirects

If you’re changing your domain or moving from HTTP to HTTPS, set up 301 redirects to preserve SEO rankings and redirect visitors.

  • Add the following code to your .htaccess file for domain changes: 
    RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^oldurl.com [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://newurl.com/$1 [L,R=301,NC]
  • Use the Redirection plugin for managing individual redirects.

6. Regenerate Your Permalinks

After updating your URL, regenerate permalinks to ensure all links work properly:

  1. Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Select your preferred structure and click Save Changes.

7. Test Your Website

Thoroughly test your website to ensure everything works as expected:

  • Check internal and external links.
  • Verify media files and images load correctly.
  • Ensure plugins and themes function without errors.

8. Notify Search Engines

Inform search engines about your URL change:

  • Update your Google Search Console and submit the new sitemap.
  • Update your URL in Google Analytics.

Best Practices for a Smooth Transition

  1. Communicate the Change: Inform your audience and stakeholders about the new URL.
  2. Monitor Traffic: Keep an eye on website traffic and performance metrics post-change.
  3. Update Backlinks: Reach out to partners and update your backlinks to the new URL.

 

Changing your website URL in WordPress doesn’t have to be stressful. By following these steps and best practices, you can ensure a smooth transition while maintaining your site’s functionality and SEO performance. Always remember to back up your site, test thoroughly, and use redirects to avoid broken links. With careful planning, your new URL can pave the way for growth and success.

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