Preparing for Domain Transfer
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2024 8:14 am
SEO Impact : When you switch domains, search engines need time to catch up. Without proper redirects, you may see a drop in search rankings, which means less organic traffic.
Broken links : If you don’t handle internal links and external backlinks correctly, users may end up landing on a 404 page instead of your content, which can frustrate them and hurt your SEO.
Downtime : Whenever you move files, there is a risk of temporary downtime. usa mobile numbers list While you can minimize this, it is something to be aware of.
Data loss : Incomplete backups or migration errors can result in loss of content or functionality. That’s why backups are so important.
Now that we’ve covered the “why” and potential pitfalls, let’s get into the practical part: the steps to actually transfer your site.
analyze
1. Back up everything
First and foremost, you need to back up your entire website . No matter how smooth things seem, things can go wrong, so having a backup will give you peace of mind. Back up all your files (images, code, content), and don't forget your database. There are a few ways you can back up your website:
Manual backup : Download all the files using an FTP client like FileZilla. Then, export your database using a tool like phpMyAdmin. This is a bit more complicated, but gives you full control.
Backup plugins : If you use WordPress, backup plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup can make the process easier by automatically backing up all your data in just a few clicks.
Hosting Provider Backup : Most hosting providers offer a one-click backup solution that can save you time and effort. Just make sure the backup is complete before you proceed.
Broken links : If you don’t handle internal links and external backlinks correctly, users may end up landing on a 404 page instead of your content, which can frustrate them and hurt your SEO.
Downtime : Whenever you move files, there is a risk of temporary downtime. usa mobile numbers list While you can minimize this, it is something to be aware of.
Data loss : Incomplete backups or migration errors can result in loss of content or functionality. That’s why backups are so important.
Now that we’ve covered the “why” and potential pitfalls, let’s get into the practical part: the steps to actually transfer your site.
analyze
1. Back up everything
First and foremost, you need to back up your entire website . No matter how smooth things seem, things can go wrong, so having a backup will give you peace of mind. Back up all your files (images, code, content), and don't forget your database. There are a few ways you can back up your website:
Manual backup : Download all the files using an FTP client like FileZilla. Then, export your database using a tool like phpMyAdmin. This is a bit more complicated, but gives you full control.
Backup plugins : If you use WordPress, backup plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup can make the process easier by automatically backing up all your data in just a few clicks.
Hosting Provider Backup : Most hosting providers offer a one-click backup solution that can save you time and effort. Just make sure the backup is complete before you proceed.