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How to Rename a WordPress Website?

April 18, 2023 By WP Helpline Off

If you have a WordPress website and you want to rename it, you probably wonder what will happen to your content and settings when you do so. WordPress provides a few options to make the process of site name change less stressful, but they all come with a price. This article will discuss some tips on how to rename a WordPress website, including the pros and cons of each option.

Use The WordPress.com Custom Domain

One of the simplest and most convenient ways to rename a WordPress website is to use the.com version of the site. Instead of using a standard (and possibly expensive) WordPress.org subdomain like blog.example.com, you can buy a custom.com domain for just $2.95 a month from WordPress.com.

Pros:

  • Fully Customized – You can have a fully customized domain name that doesn’t conflict with any other site on the web. It’s great for branding and marketing purposes.
  • Convenient – The convenience of having a.com domain is undeniable. You can use the same email provider (i.e. Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc) that you use for your existing site, and all of the existing content and users will be compatible. There’s no need to take down the site or transfer/import any content.
  • Simplified Management – Because you’re not directly interacting with the domain name, it makes it much easier to manage. If you’re managing multiple WordPress sites, it’s easy to overlook small details like the domain name. Using your existing hosting provider, you can purchase a WordPress.com custom domain and instantly have access to all of the functionality of a premium WordPress site.

Use An Identical WordPress Instance

If you’re searching the web, you’ll often come across many different blog posts and tutorials on how to rename a WordPress website. The reason is that WordPress offers several different methods to do so. The best way to create a smooth transition when changing the name of your site is to use the exact same WordPress installation.

Pros:

  • Same Design – Every aspect of the site – from the design to the content – will be completely consistent. There’ll be no jarring transitions as you browse around the site. If you’re keeping the design of your site, this will be an easy transition. You won’t have to change a thing. Not even the theme will be different. The name will be the only thing you have to alter.
  • Content And Users Stay – Your content and users will stay intact when you rename the site. If you’re keeping the design of your site, this means all of the content will be carried over smoothly. No need to worry about losing any content after the name change.
  • No Need To Maintain Two Sites – Maintaining two separate WordPress websites – where one is basically just a replica of the other – can be quite the hassle. If you decide to go this route, simply install the new domain and update all of the blog posts and pages with the new name. The contents of both sites will be the same, so there’ll be no need to worry about missing out on any content. The only difference will be the URL (i.e. blog.example.com vs news.example.com).
  • More Than Meets The Eye – Think of all the features that come with a standard WordPress installation. Think of all the perks that you get without having to pay for any features. That’s what you’re getting with an identical WordPress installation. All of the features will be there, without the need to purchase additional licenses or applications. It’s the ultimate in convenience when using this method.

Use A Different CNAME Records

Let’s say you’ve purchased the custom.com domain name for your WordPress site, sales.example.com. You can use a free or premium DNS service to create CNAME records for your domain name. A CNAME record specifies the domain to which a given domain name points. When a user clicks on one of your site’s links, the browser will look up the target domain in the CNAME record and resolve it to your WordPress installation. In this case, when a user clicks on sales.example.com (or any other domain you’ve set up a CNAME record for), the browser will look up sales in the CNAME record and resolve it to your WordPress installation. When this happens, the user will be taken to your site, as desired.

You can then create similar CNAME records for other domains that you own, like blog.example.com, media.example.com, store.example.com, etc.

Some people prefer this method because it’s quick and easy to set up. Just make sure that your existing hosting provider allows for the creation of CNAME records, as most web hosts do. You can also use a third-party tool like Cloudflare’s Domain Renamer to create the CNAME records quickly and easily.

Use The WordPress Mobile App

The WordPress mobile app makes it easy to edit content on the go. As you probably know, WordPress is a very popular choice for bloggers because it’s so quick and easy to set up. If you’re looking for a simple and quick blogging platform, it’s a great choice. In addition to making minor edits to content, the mobile app allows you to quickly upload images and videos to your site. If you’re looking to quickly and easily add more content to your site, the WordPress mobile app is a great choice.

Pros:

  • Easily Cross-Platform – The WordPress mobile app was primarily designed with multi-platform compatibility in mind. This means that you can easily and quickly set up a WordPress installation and start working on content on any of the major platforms – iOS, Android, and even desktop computers if you use a Chromebook. There’s no need to worry about any platform being “less” compatible than another. As long as you have a WiFi connection and an internet browser, you can use the WordPress mobile app to create a basic blog or website.
  • Content Continues – As previously stated, WordPress users will have the content and users of the site carried over to the new domain. If you decide to use this method, you don’t have to worry about any content being lost in the process. Everything will be seamlessly transported over to the new site.
  • More Than Meets The Eye – As previously stated, WordPress users have more than meets the eye when it comes to functionality. Not only do they have the functionality of a standard installation, but they also have all of the perks that come with a premium WordPress installation. In addition to all the features, you get with a standard WordPress installation, you also get the additional features that are only available to premium customers. With these additional features, you can do pretty much anything with the site that you could with a standard WordPress installation.

The Verdict

As you might suspect, there’s more than one way to rename a WordPress website. Each method has its perks and drawbacks. The best method depends on your personal preferences and what you’re looking for in a blogging platform. If you have a standard WordPress installation and you’re looking for a clean and easy way to update the site’s name, you can use the.com domain name to achieve that goal. The other methods – using an identical WordPress installation, creating CNAME records, and using the mobile app – are all viable options as well. Each has its perks and disadvantages, making it a matter of personal preference as to which one you should use.

CategoryBlog