How to Move Your WordPress Site to a New Domain Without Losing SEO

Moving a WordPress site to a new domain can be daunting, but with careful planning, you can maintain your SEO rankings and traffic.

When you decide to change your domain name, you can either switch to a new web host or continue with your current WordPress hosting provider. This guide will walk you through moving your entire WordPress website to a new server using the first method. Follow these nine steps to change your WordPress website’s domain without losing SEO rankings.

Steps to Move Your WordPress Site to a New Domain

Download a Website Backup
Backing up your website files is crucial to prevent data loss. You can import them back if the transfer process fails. It’s generally a good practice to back up your site before making any significant changes. There are three ways to back up a WordPress website: manually with a File Manager or FTP client, using your web hosting’s backup feature, or a backup plugin. For Hostinger users, the built-in backup feature can be accessed in the Files section of the hPanel dashboard.
Export Database
After downloading your WordPress site files, export your MySQL database using phpMyAdmin. This administration tool is accessible in the Databases section of hPanel. If you’re not using Hostinger, check your hosting provider’s dashboard for this tool. phpMyAdmin allows you to export the database in various formats, but using the default SQL format is recommended.
Upload Files to the New Domain
Navigate to the admin dashboard of your new hosting provider and upload the website files to the server. Like in the first step, you can transfer WordPress files to the new root directory using either a File Manager or an FTP client. If you’re moving to Hostinger, the File Manager is accessible under the Files section of your hPanel.
Import Database
First, create a new MySQL database to host the data from the old domain. Hostinger users can go to Databases -> MySQL Databases on the hPanel dashboard. Enter the required database information like the name, username, and password, then select Create. Import your exported database using phpMyAdmin, ensuring the format is set to SQL.
Update the URL in the Database
After importing the database, the next step is to change the website’s URL to the new domain name. Open your new database in phpMyAdmin and click on the wp-options table. Edit the siteurl and home options, replacing the old URL with the new one.
Update Details in wp-config.php
The wp-config.php file sets up WordPress database connections. Update it to reflect the domain name change. Locate the file in your root directory and open it using your web host’s File Manager. Replace the values in the following functions:
```
define('DB_NAME', 'new database name');
define('DB_USER', 'new database username');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new database password');
define('DB_HOST', 'new host name');
```
Add this code snippet to redefine the location of your core WordPress files:
```
define('WP_HOME', 'http://newdomain.com');
define('WP_SITEURL', 'http://newdomain.com');
```
Fix Broken Links
Broken links are common when moving a WordPress site to a new domain. They lead users to 404 error pages, increasing bounce rates and hurting SEO. Fix broken links before your site goes live using SEO audit tools like Semrush and Google Search Console. WordPress plugins like Broken Link Checker can also help.
Set up 301 Redirects From the Old Site
Set up 301 redirects so users accessing URLs on your old domain are redirected to the new domain. This helps maintain SEO and user experience while preserving your old domain’s authority. Hostinger users can use the Redirects feature in hPanel or plugins like Yoast SEO.
Update Your Google Search Console
Notify Google about your domain change using the Change of Address tool in Google Search Console. This helps search engines find your new domain faster, aiding in ranking the new site.

Looking for a reliable hosting provider? Consider Hostinger for excellent hosting plans that include free domain names, making your website migration seamless and cost-effective.

Conclusion

Moving a WordPress site to a new domain can be beneficial for growth if done correctly. We’ve covered nine essential steps to ensure your SEO remains intact during the migration. Feel free to leave a comment if you have further questions.

How to Move My WordPress to a New Domain FAQs

How Does Changing My Domain Affect SEO?

Changing your domain can cause a temporary drop in rankings and traffic, affect backlinks and domain authority, and require updating URLs across the site. Proper planning and redirects can minimize these effects.

Can I Move My WordPress Site to a New Domain for Free?

Yes, you can move your WordPress site to a new domain for free. However, domain registration and hosting fees may apply. Free plugins are available to assist with migration.

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