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I started building a WordPress website (very basic structure….no real content) but have decided to change the domain name. Is there a way to easily keep the WordPress structure I created while changing the domain name, or do I need to start from scratch? I'm new to all this so learning as I go. Thanks in advance!
It’s potentially just a case of doing a database search and replace, adding the new domain to your hosting, and pointing the DNS.
Beyond WordPress-specific things you will need to think about things like emails and making sure you do it right from an SEO perspective with redirects from the old domain etc.
Are you on managed hosting? Your hosting provider may have a guide published specific to them, or they may be able to help with it. Then I suggest looking up a generic guide for SEO for site domain changes.
Yes. Your host can do a direct migration through cPanel.
You can preserve your content by changing the domain name, just remember to search and replace the URL. The Better Search Replace plugin is a handy tool for this, or you can reach out to your hosting provider to assist you via SSH.
Go to the Settings page in your WP dashboard – you change the domain there. Ensure that your domain / DNS is configured *before* changing this, otherwise you won’t be able to access the site until you do. Your host may be able to help you with setting up your domain.
It’s really just a couple of steps. I still change it in wp-config & the db. Here’s the official instructions: https://wordpress.com/support/domains/change-a-domain/
Either ask your host to change to new domain name or take a backup of your cPanel account including database and upload it to new registered domain. Once uploaded change urls and remove https sometimes required since images do not come up properly.