Confusion about moving domains

  • Resolved pwinter

    (@pwinter)


    6 years, 8 months ago

    Hi.

    I own two Internet domains. I’ve been creating a new WordPress site on the domain I rarely use (let’s call it Domain A), and it now looks good to me. I’m trying to move it to my primary domain (Domain B). Using a tool provided by my hosting provider, I installed WordPress on Domain B. The wp-config.php file on Domain B has the correct WP_SITEURL (which is, of course, different from the WP_SITEURL on Domain A). I can enter the WP admin screen on Domain B, but none of my existing pages or media items are showing up, even after I manually FTP’d my media library files from Domain A to Domain B (into a matching subdirectory of the “uploads” folder).

    I’ve been reading the WP codex about moving domains, but there’s something I don’t understand. Step 8 says, “Move your WordPress core files to the new location” and step 11 talks about using a plugin to change the file locations, but then at the very end of the section, it says “It is important that you set the URI locations BEFORE you move the files.” How can I change the locations to the new domain when the files aren’t on the new domain yet?

    Bottom line: How do I get my media files and pages (most of which are portfolios, if that matters) into the WP installation on Domain B?

    Thank you!

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Moderator t-p

    (@t-p)

    Since Domain is changed, you need to change it everywhere in the database. If you can install plugins, install Better Search And Replace. Search all tables for https://OLD URL and replace with https://NEW URL

    Or, use this plugin: https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/velvet-blues-update-urls/

    First make sure that you have a complete backup of your WordPress site. This will allow you to easily revert back in case something goes wrong.

    Thread Starter pwinter

    (@pwinter)

    Hi, t-p. Yes, Better Search Replace was one of the plugins I saw recommended. But what about the instruction to change the locations BEFORE I copy the files to Domain B? Do I really have to do that, and if so, won’t that make the files unusable on Domain A?

    Thread Starter pwinter

    (@pwinter)

    I found out from my web hosting provider that I don’t need to go through the moving process; I was able to export my content from WP on Domain A and import it into WP on Domain B. I have a few glitches to sort out, but the content has been moved!

    Moderator t-p

    (@t-p)

    Glad to know it ??

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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