How do I change my WordPress site's domain name?

Add the new domain to your hosting and get its SSL working, then change both addresses under Settings → General, replace the old address in your content with a search-and-replace plugin, and set a permanent (301) redirect from the old domain so visitors and Google follow.

1. Back up first. See How do I back up WordPress?
2. Point the new domain to Tremhost. Register it or point it to us, and wait until it resolves.
3. Make it show the same site. In cPanel, open Domains → Domains, click Create A New Domain, type the new domain and leave Share document root ticked, so it uses the same folder as the old one.
4. Get the padlock. Run AutoSSL and check https://newdomain loads: see How do I get the padlock (free SSL) on my site?
5. Change the WordPress addresses. In wp-admin, open Settings → General, set WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) to https://newdomain and save. You’ll be logged out; log in again on the new domain.
6. Replace the old address in your content. Use a search-and-replace plugin such as Better Search Replace: search for https://olddomain, replace with https://newdomain, run a dry run first, then the real thing. Don’t edit the database by hand: plugins and page builders store addresses in a format a plain text edit breaks.
7. Redirect the old domain. In cPanel, open Domains → Redirects, choose Permanent (301), pick the old domain, redirect it to https://newdomain/ and tick Wild Card Redirect, so every old page goes to the same page on the new domain. See How do I redirect a page or domain?
8. Clear caches and test. Purge any caching plugin, then click through the site, forms and checkout on the new domain.

Afterwards

• In Google Search Console, add the new domain and use the Change of Address tool on the old one.
• Update your Google Business Profile, social media, email signatures and printed material.
• Email addresses on the old domain keep working while the domain is renewed. Create mailboxes on the new domain before you tell people to use them.
• Keep renewing the old domain for at least a year, so old links and emails still arrive.

Tip: If the old domain is your hosting account’s main domain and you want the new one to take its place in cPanel and the client area, ask us: that change is made on our side.

On managed WordPress, or want us to do it? Open a support ticket with both domain names.

Updated 6 November 2026. Something here out of date? Tell us.