Nowadays, many people use WordPress websites and, in some cases, they want to transfer the site to a new domain. Then this post might be of interest to you. It may be a preparation of the new growth and expansion; it is possibly the most exciting phase. Although it works, at the same time, one can experience discomfort because the ranks, the visits, which were accumulated over the years, can be a thing of the past.
Well, to be honest, the situation is not as bad as you might expect: Are you currently in the wrong domain for your WordPress blog? It is very possible to transfer your WordPress to another domain with good SEO ranking you have earned.
If you are all set for migrating and moving your WordPress site to a different domain, then let me guide you on how to do it avoiding any loss of your SEO ranking.
Prepare Your Site for Migration
The following preparation may be taken in order to effectively implement change and attain effective phase transition in a new domain. Some of them are; changing old URLs, external and internal links, XML Sitemaps and informing the search engine about the same.
It is crucial to ensure that the new site is also fully examined soon after its launch to establish specific problems that might hinder its usage. All in all, by following these critical steps one is sure not to compromise much of the site’s position in search engine results or that of users.
Switching Nameservers and Configuring Email Accounts
During the transition from one web host to the other, a lot of focus should be given when updating the first and second Domain Name Servers or DNSs. Also, check the setting of the right email to avoid interruptions happening so persistently. If you rely on third party mail hosts such as Google’s Gmail or Microsoft’s Office 365 to handle your mail, check that your MX records are up to date sufficiently enough to help mails reach the intended destination.
However, if you are dealing directly with the Email on your webserver. Then you may possibly need to modify the Domain Name system.
Creating a Full Backup of Your Current Website
A key and obvious basic step before getting to the actual migration process is to make a complete backup of your current site. This action is effective in managing risks associated with data transfer.
After this backup is complete, it must be stored in another area, optimally in a different building from the working copy to prevent data loss, as the copy is ready for use at any time. All in all, it provides value from a psychological perspective as it allows one to make a backup plan and avoid stress and an uncomfortable setup of further migration.
Exporting and Importing Data
Before you begin the process of moving your WordPress site to a new domain, you have to back up most of your site’s data such as post content, pages content, comments, media uploads, post formats, taxonomy, post meta, etc. Fortunately, if not for anything, WordPress has an in-built function under ‘Tools > Export’ under the admin panel to ease this process.
Select the appropriate options depending on whether you want to export just posts, pages, or all types of content. Be sure to pick the author(s), date range, and format, then click “Download Export File”. Typically, you’d choose the “WordPress eXtended RSS” (WXR) format since it preserves metadata and structure, facilitating reimportation later.
After safely storing the WXR file, navigate to your new domain’s WordPress setup. Access Tools > Import, upload your saved file, and assign the imported content to an existing or newly created user account. Depending on the size of the data being transferred, you might encounter memory limitations. Consider increasing PHP memory limits temporarily to accommodate larger imports. Alternatively, divide the original WXR file into smaller chunks for hassle-free transfers.
Now, turn your focus toward relocating the database, where much of the dynamic functionality resides. Use tools like phpMyAdmin to generate SQL dumps containing table structures and data, followed by restoring those exports on the target environment. Remember to update the wp-config.php file on the new domain with correct DB credentials. Lastly, replace references to the old domain address within serialized strings, especially in case of multilingual sites leveraging WPML.
Redirecting URLs and Saving Link Equity
A critical component of migrating a WordPress site involves redirecting URLs from the old domain to the new one while preserving link equity. Implementing well-structured redirect rules maintains organic search visibility and keeps your rankings intact. There are different approaches to accomplishing this goal, so let’s examine the most popular method: using .htaccess directives.
First, locate the .htaccess file within the root directory of your old domain. Add redirections employing the 301 HTTP status code, signaling permanent moves to search crawlers. Ensure the entries comply with Apache syntax standards and always place the newest rule atop the list to prioritize processing order.
For instance, suppose you wish to reroute http://olddomain.com/example to https://newdomain.com/another-example/. Append the following line to the .htaccess file:
“`javascript
RedirectPermanent /example https://newdomain.com/another-example/
“`
Alternatively, harness regular expressions with mod\_rewrite for complex patterns spanning multiple URL segments. Just remember to escape special characters appropriately and validate regex flags for accurate matching. An example snippet demonstrates mapping numerous source URIs to corresponding destinations:
“`bash
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^page/(.*)$ https://newdomain.com/$1 [L,QSA,NC,R=301]
</IfModule>
“`
Another technique consists of applying global wildcard redirects, capturing all requests originating from the old domain. Combine this with conditional logic to filter valid queries, preventing unnecessary resource consumption and potential loops.
“`python
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\.newdomain\.com$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://www.newdomain.com/$1 [L,QSA,NC,R=301]
</IfModule>
“`
Updating Internal Links and XML Sitemaps
Internal links play a significant role in enhancing user experience and strengthening your site’s architecture. Post-migration, audit and modify all internal links to point towards the new domain. Employ automatic tools like the Better Search Replace plugin to ease the burden. Moreover, recreate your XML sitemap to embody the latest modifications, promoting efficient search crawling and quicker indexing. Plugins such as Google XML Sitemaps facilitate this process effortlessly.
Conclusion
Transiting successfully demands vigilant evaluation of accomplishments, persistent surveillance of advancements, and adaptability to curveballs. Capitalize on increased exposure and broadened horizons offered by the new domain. Continually refine your tactics and stay attuned to shifting market dynamics to unlock untapped growth prospects
