Transferring your website to a new domain can be as daunting as moving to a new house. The process involves more than just relocating content; it requires careful planning and execution to ensure your site’s functionality and SEO are preserved. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this transition smoothly.
By Gabriel Zamora
Updated April 20, 2024
1. Backup Your Website
Before diving into the transfer, ensure you have a complete backup of your website. There are several methods to achieve this:
The WordPress Method
For WordPress sites, plugins such as All-in-One WP Migration, Duplicator, and UpdraftPlus are invaluable. These plugins simplify the backup process with just a few clicks. For instance, using Duplicator:
- Navigate to “Packages” and select “Create New” to generate a package of your site.
- Download the package, which includes all site files and an installer.
The cPanel Method
If your host uses cPanel, follow these steps:
- Go to the “Files” section and click “Backup Wizard.”
- Perform partial backups of your home directory, MySQL databases, and email forwarders. Note that a full backup may not be ideal for restoration.
The FTP Method
For those comfortable with FTP, this method allows you to back up large files. Using an FTP client like FileZilla:
- Connect to your site’s FTP server and download the contents of the “Public_HTML” folder.
- Access phpMyAdmin via your control panel, select “Export,” and download the SQL file.
2. Verify Your DNS Settings
Ensure your DNS settings are correctly configured. Whether your new domain is from an independent registrar or included with your hosting package, correct DNS settings are crucial.
- Log into your new domain server account to check the DNS record and nameservers.
- If your registrar and web host differ, update the DNS records and nameservers at your domain registrar’s site.
- DNS changes can take 24-48 hours to propagate.
3. Transfer Files to the New Domain
With your backup ready, transferring files is the next step. This involves importing both your site’s files and database to the new domain.
Using WordPress
- Install the backup plugin on your new server and use it to restore the site.
- Alternatively, upload the site files and database manually using FTP or cPanel.
Using cPanel
- Go to the Backup Wizard on the new domain and restore from your previous backup files.
Using FTP
- Connect to your new host via FTP and upload the site files and database.
4. Set Up Redirects
To ensure users and search engines are directed to your new site, set up 301 redirects. This avoids 404 errors and maintains your SEO rankings.
- Access your old domain’s .htaccess file via FTP or File Manager.
- Add the following code:rubyCopy code
#Options +FollowSymLinks RewriteEngine on RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.newdomain.com/$1 [R=301,L] - Replace “newdomain.com” with your new domain name.
5. Fix Broken Links
After the transfer, some links may become broken. Use tools like Dead Link Checker or w3C Link Checker to identify and fix these issues.
6. Notify Google of the Transfer
To update Google about your site’s move:
- In Google Search Console, select “Change of Address” and enter your new domain.
- Generate and submit an XML sitemap. For WordPress, install the Yoast SEO plugin to create a sitemap at
http://newsite.com/sitemap_index.xml. Non-WordPress sites can use XML-Sitemaps.com.
7. Review Your Site
Finally, review your new domain to ensure everything functions correctly. Check all pages, images, and videos. Notify your audience about the change if necessary, especially if your site has significant traffic.
For more guidance on web hosting and optimizing your site, explore additional resources and tips.
Mike Williams contributed to this guide.
