How to Change Your Domain Name

This article explains how to change your domain name on your Web60 WordPress hosting account.

Before You Start

Changing your domain name affects your website's address and email. Make sure you have:

• Your new domain name registered and pointing to Web60's nameservers
• Access to your Web60 control panel
• A backup of your website (Web60 creates automatic backups, but it's good practice)

Step 1: Update Your Domain in Web60 Control Panel

1. Log into your Web60 control panel
2. Find the "Domains" section
3. Click "Add Domain" or "Change Primary Domain"
4. Enter your new domain name
5. Select "Make this the primary domain" if asked
6. Click "Save" or "Update"

Web60 will process this change. It can take up to 24 hours for the new domain to work everywhere on the internet.

Step 2: Update WordPress Settings

Your WordPress site still thinks it lives at your old domain. You need to update this:

1. Go to your WordPress admin area (add /wp-admin to your domain)
2. Click "Settings" in the left menu
3. Click "General"
4. Find "WordPress Address (URL)" and "Site Address (URL)"
5. Change both to your new domain (include https:// at the start)
6. Scroll down and click "Save Changes"

WordPress will log you out automatically. Log back in using your new domain.

Step 3: Update Internal Links

Your posts and pages might still link to your old domain:

1. In WordPress admin, go to "Tools"
2. Click "Search Replace" (this tool comes with Web60)
3. In "Search for", enter your old domain (like https://olddomain.ie)
4. In "Replace with", enter your new domain (like https://newdomain.ie)
5. Check "Run as dry run" first to see what will change
6. If it looks correct, uncheck "dry run" and click "Run Search/Replace"

Step 4: Set Up Redirects (Optional but Recommended)

To send visitors from your old domain to your new one:

1. Keep your old domain registered
2. In Web60 control panel, find "Redirects"
3. Add a redirect from your old domain to your new domain
4. Choose "301 Permanent Redirect"

This helps people find your site and maintains your search engine rankings.

Step 5: Update External Services

Remember to update:

• Google Analytics and Search Console
• Social media profiles
• Email signatures and business cards
• Any advertising or directory listings

If you're still stuck, contact Web60 support through your control panel. Include both your old and new domain names in your message.

FAQ

Q: How long does it take for a domain change to work?

A: Changes in your Web60 control panel happen immediately, but it can take up to 24-48 hours for the new domain to work everywhere on the internet. This is called DNS propagation.

Q: Will I lose my website content when changing domains?

A: No, your content stays the same. Only your website's address changes. Your files, posts, and pages remain exactly as they were.

Q: Can I change my domain back if I make a mistake?

A: Yes, you can follow the same steps to change back to your previous domain. Keep your old domain registered until you're sure the change worked correctly.

Q: Do I need to update my email addresses too?

A: If your email addresses use your domain name (like info@yourdomain.ie), you'll need to set up new email addresses with your new domain and update anywhere you've shared your email.

Q: Will changing my domain affect my Google rankings?

A: There may be a temporary impact on search rankings. Setting up proper redirects from your old domain helps minimize this and tells Google about the change.

Q: What happens if I forget to update the WordPress settings?

A: Your website might not display correctly or might redirect back to the old domain. Always update both the Web60 control panel AND the WordPress settings.

Q: Can I have multiple domains point to the same website?

A: Yes, you can add additional domains in your Web60 control panel and set them to redirect to your main domain, or display the same content.