Web Hosting 101 – How to Move Your Website to a New Domain Name

Your website’s domain name is an integral part of your brand. It’s one of the aspects that people will remember about your business, so your domain name must be memorable and accessible. 

Nevertheless, it’s understandable if you want a change. After all, the domain name is one of the few aspects you decide on when you set up a website, and what you picked in the past may not accurately represent your brand in the present.

That said, moving your existing website to a new domain name can be a daunting process. It’s very similar to moving to a new house because you have to transfer everything to an entirely different space. You have to make sure you do it right as well, if not, you’ll risk losing essential elements of your website. 

If you’re planning on moving your website to a new domain name, here is a guide to help make the move as seamless as possible.

Find a host that can assist you with the migration process

Moving your domain without a host is like moving to a new home without professional movers to help you. As a result, you’ll have to do everything manually, risking the loss and damage of essential furniture. When moving your website, on the other hand, do your due diligence and find a hosting provider that can help you execute a smooth migration. While your current provider still works, it would be best if you look into other options to get a better deal when it comes to prices, features, and performance. 

When you do your research, take into consideration the type of security that is provided by the host and the storage options they offer. A host that offers free domain name registration is also worth considering since it will help you do away with the hassle of doing it yourself. 

Make ample backup copies of your files

When migrating, keep in mind that you may lose some files during the transfer, no matter how careful you are. This is why you will want to have backups of your old website just in case something goes wrong during the move. You can use a plugin to automate the backup for you, or you can opt to do it in cPanel where you have to follow a Backup Wizard program. 

If you prefer to be meticulous and don’t want to rely on automation, you can use phpMyAdmin in cPanel to export the database by yourself. For static files, you can back them up using the File Manager or an FTP client of your own choosing. 

Transfer everything to the new domain name

Once everything is backed up and ready to go, you’re now prepared to make the big move. Make sure that your new domain is ready to host to your website by checking on several aspects, such as domain name system (DNS) settings with the registrar. In most cases, it will take 24 hours for your new information to take effect. 

After setting up the new domain, you need to tackle the space where you will house your files. You can use the MySQL Database Wizard to assist you in creating a new database. Finally, you can migrate the remaining files you have, including the themes and plugins. Before you consider the process to be done, it’s also vital that you add a redirection announcement so that people who visit your old domain can automatically be redirected to the new one.

Wrapping up

With the guide given above, you now know that moving your website to a new domain name doesn’t have to be as daunting as you expected it to be. Although the move involves much work, it’s a necessary step if you’re trying to improve your brand and grow for future successes.

If you’re looking for domain transfer services in NYC, get in touch with Virtual Host Solutions today to find out how we can best help you achieve your goals.