I still remember the day I realized my old WordPress domain didn’t match my brand anymore. I had spent months building my site, but the domain felt outdated and hard to remember. I wanted something more professional, but the thought of changing it made me nervous. I had heard stories about lost content, broken links, and SEO drops.
After some research and careful planning, I learned that changing a WordPress domain is manageable if done step by step. In this article, I’ll share exactly how I changed my domain without losing content or frustrating visitors.
Why I Needed to Change My Domain
My old domain was fine when I first started, but as my blog grew, it no longer reflected my brand. Maybe you’re in the same position rebranding, switching from a free WordPress subdomain, or correcting a domain mistake. Changing your domain can make your site look more professional, easier to remember, and aligned with your goals.
Understanding the Type of WordPress Site You Have
Before I started, I needed to know whether my site was on WordPress.com or self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org).
- WordPress.com: The domain change can mostly be done from the dashboard.
- Self-hosted WordPress: You’ll need to involve your hosting provider and possibly update DNS settings.
Knowing this early saved me from confusion and mistakes.
Buying the New Domain
The first thing I did was purchase the new domain. I didn’t remove or cancel the old domain yet because my site needed to stay online during the process.
I also made sure I had full control of DNS settings. This is important because pointing the domain to your WordPress hosting is the next step, and without access, the process could get complicated.
Connecting the New Domain to Hosting
Once I had the new domain, I added it to my hosting account. Most hosting providers have an option like “Add Domain” or “Addon Domain”.
I pointed the new domain to the correct nameservers and waited for the DNS changes to propagate. This usually takes a few hours. During this time, I avoided making other edits to prevent mistakes.
Updating WordPress Address and Site Address
After the new domain was connected, I logged into WordPress and went to Settings > General. Here, I updated both WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) with the new domain.
Double-checking the spelling was crucial one wrong character could lock me out of my site. Once I saved the changes, my site started using the new domain immediately.
What Happens to My Content
One of my biggest worries was losing content. Thankfully, everything stayed intact. All posts, pages, images, and media files were safe because they are stored in the WordPress database, not the domain itself.
However, I noticed that internal links still pointed to the old domain. This is normal and can be fixed with a search-and-replace tool or plugin.
Updating Internal Links
To make my site fully functional with the new domain, I updated old URLs in posts, pages, menus, and widgets. I used a WordPress plugin to safely replace old domain links with the new one.
Backing up the site before this step is essential. A small mistake can break links or formatting, so having a backup gave me confidence.
Setting Up Redirects From Old Domain
I also set up 301 redirects from the old domain to the new one. This is important for:
- Visitors: They automatically go to the new site.
- SEO: Search engines know the site moved permanently.
I used my hosting provider’s redirect tool, and it worked smoothly. Ignoring redirects could have caused lost traffic and broken links, which I definitely wanted to avoid.
Checking the Site for Errors
Once everything was done, I carefully browsed my site. I checked all pages, menus, links, and forms to ensure nothing was broken. I also tested the site on mobile and desktop.
This final review is crucial because it catches small errors that could annoy visitors or affect SEO.
Common Mistakes I Almost Made
Looking back, I almost updated WordPress addresses before connecting the new domain to hosting. I also nearly skipped backups, which would have been a huge mistake.
The biggest lesson I learned is to take it step by step. Rushing can lead to broken links or lost content.
Final Thoughts
Changing a WordPress domain can feel intimidating, but it’s entirely doable. By carefully purchasing a new domain, connecting it to hosting, updating WordPress addresses, fixing internal links, and setting up redirects, I was able to change my domain without losing any content.
If you’re thinking about changing your WordPress domain, my advice is simple: plan ahead, back up your site, follow steps in order, and check everything carefully. You can do it safely, even as a beginner, and your site will look fresh and professional on your new domain.