What is the best way to move my website to a new URL?

A1WEBSITEPRO QuestionsCategory: WordPressWhat is the best way to move my website to a new URL?
Anonymous asked 9 years ago

Hi there Max!
 
Hoping this finds you well and ready to enjoy a well-deserved weekend!
 

I have a semi-tech question for you.  Candy and I are re-focusing our site and changing up our URL shortly… We want our URL and site name to better reflect a focus on parenting and homeschooling, Additionally, besides MomsMorningCoffee, I need to redirect another site I have (Help4YourHomeschool.com) to this new one (TrainThemUpMinistries.com).  Believe it or not, I’m really trying to simplify things: it’s hard enough to maintain one blog in a good manner, but two is impossible for me right now…
 
How would you suggest the best way to do that? I mean, specifically, should we forward our domains, or just change the URL, or what?!  We’re trying to establish the smoothest way to transition as possible, and any advice/tips you’d be willing to share would be so VERY much appreciated!  I looked around on your site but couldn’t find an article that dealt with this issue…
 
This article sent to me by GoDaddy is what they suggest (yes, we’re still with them, but it’s moving higher and higher up my to-do list to change!).  It seems a little complicated and honestly, I trust your judgement waaaaaay more than I do theirs! 😉
 
Also, if this is something that we should engage your services for, we’re fine with that.  As usual/still, I’d like to have a handle on what’s going on behind the scenes, anyway.  And I don’t mind “getting my hands dirty” if it’s just a case of forwarding with our host, or something simple like that…
 
Sorry to be rambling…off for my coffee now…

What is the best way to move my website to a new URL? was last modified: July 24th, 2015 by Anonymous
0 Answers
Maximus Mccullough Staff answered 9 years ago

Changing your URL is not really a wise thing to do. The reason is because there are a lot of links out there in cyberspace that are pointing to many pages that you girls have put so much hard work in over the years. It would almost be like starting over.

However if you are determined to do this it can be done effectively with permanent 301 redirects. I have done this with bloggers in the past like sawdustgril.com who use to be sawdustandpaperscraps.com You will notice if you click on sawdustandpaperscraps.com that it will take you to sawdustgirl.com.
Here are the steps:

  1. Get the new URL that you want
  2. Next install WordPress.
  3. Upload your theme and all your plugins see this post for help on that TRANSFER WORDPRESS SITE NEW DOMAIN OR NEW SERVER
  4. Import all your content and set up your permalinks
  5. On your old server use the htaccess file to 301 redirect all traffic to the new site. The htaccess file will be the only file that you need on there until you forward the domains via DNS in your domain manager on GoDaddy. 
  6. Next you will have to handle all the incoming http requests that are coming into the new domain name and direct them to the correct post. You can use a plugin like simple 301 redirect

 

Answer for What is the best way to move my website to a new URL? was last modified: July 24th, 2015 by Maximus Mccullough