Changing the domain in WordPress

Sometimes you may need to change the domain name of your WordPress site—for example, when migrating to a new domain or rebranding. On ruachost.com, you can update your WordPress domain settings using the dashboard, WP‑CLI, or phpMyAdmin.

Why Change the Domain?

• Rebrand your site with a new domain name.
• Migrate to a different hosting environment.
• Improve SEO with a more relevant domain.

Step 1: Back Up Your Site

Before making any changes, always back up your WordPress files and database. This ensures you can restore your site if anything goes wrong.

Step 2: Change Domain Settings

Method 1: Using WordPress Admin Dashboard

1. Log in to WordPress as an administrator.

2. Go to Settings → General.

3. Update the following fields:

   • WordPress Address (URL) → Enter the new domain.
   • Site Address (URL) → Enter the new domain. ⚠️ If your site has SSL, use https:// instead of http://.

4. Click Save Changes.

Method 2: Using WP‑CLI (Command Line)

1. Log in to your hosting account via SSH.

2. Navigate to your WordPress installation directory.

3. Run the following command (replace with your domains):

   wp search-replace 'old.example.com' 'new.example.com'

✅ This updates all instances of the old domain in the database.

Method 3: Using phpMyAdmin

1. Log in to cPanel (or your hosting control panel).

2. Open phpMyAdmin → Select your WordPress database.

3. Locate the wp_options table.

4. Update the values for:

   • siteurl
   • home

5. Save changes.

Step 3: Test Your Site

• Visit your site with the new domain.
• Check for broken links or hard‑coded URLs.
• Set up redirects from the old domain to the new one to preserve SEO.

Important Notes

• DNS propagation may take up to 24 hours.
• Always ensure the new domain points to your hosting server before updating WordPress.
• Consider updating your permalink structure and regenerating your sitemap.