Migrating a WordPress site to a subdomain can be strategic for creating staging environments, multilingual sites, or new website sections. Proper migration is key to maintaining SEO, performance, and security.
WordPress Pivot offers expert, seamless WordPress subdomain migration services. Our guide covers best practices for a smooth transition.
Why Move a WordPress Site to a Subdomain?
A subdomain is a subdivision of your primary domain, often used to organize different website sections. For example:
- blog.example.com – A separate blog for your website
- shop.example.com – An eCommerce section
- support.example.com – A customer support portal
Benefits of Using a Subdomain:
- Better site organization
- Improved SEO for niche content
- Testing and staging environments
- Localized or multilingual versions
Pre-Migration Checklist
Before starting the migration, follow these essential steps:
Backup Your WordPress Site
Always create a complete backup of your WordPress site, including:
- Database
- WordPress files
- Plugins and themes
- Media files
Set Up the Subdomain
You must create a subdomain through your hosting provider’s cPanel, Plesk, or DirectAdmin.
Steps:
- Log in to your hosting account.
- Navigate to Domains > Subdomains.
- Enter your desired subdomain name (e.g., blog.example.com).
- Assign a directory for the subdomain’s files (usually a new folder within public_html).
- Click Create and verify DNS propagation.
Install WordPress on the Subdomain
Install a fresh WordPress instance on the subdomain to ensure a smooth migration.
You can do this via:
- cPanel> Softaculous (One-click install)
- Manually downloading WordPress and uploading it via FTP
Migration Process
Export Your Current WordPress Site
Use the WordPress Export Tool or migration plugins like Duplicator to generate a copy of your site.
Steps for Using Duplicator:
- Install and activate the Duplicator plugin.
- Could you create a new package and build it?
- Download the installer and archive the file.
Upload and Extract the Files to the Subdomain
- Use an FTP client (FileZilla, Cyberduck) to upload the Duplicator archive file and installer.php to the subdomain’s directory.
- Run the installer script by visiting subdomain.example.com/installer.php.
Update the Database
- Enter your database credentials.
- The installer will import your database and update site URLs.
- Verify that WordPress URL settings point to the subdomain.
Fix Internal Links and Redirects
After migration, ensure that all internal links point to the new subdomain.
- Use a search-and-replace plugin like Better Search Replace to update URLs.
- Set up 301 redirects from the old domain if necessary.
Check SSL and HTTPS
Ensure your subdomain has an SSL certificate installed.
- Request an SSL certificate from your host or use Let’s Encrypt.
- Update WordPress settings to force HTTPS.
Post-Migration Optimization
Test Site Functionality
- Check for broken links, missing images, and plugin compatibility.
- Test contact forms, login pages, and eCommerce functionalities.
Update Google Search Console
- Add your subdomain as a new property in Google Search Console.
- Resubmit your sitemap to ensure proper indexing.
Monitor SEO and Performance
- Use Google Analytics to track performance.
- Monitor rankings with Google Search Console and update SEO settings accordingly.
How WordPress Pivot Can Help
Migrating your WordPress site to a subdomain can be complex, but WordPress Pivot makes it effortless. Our migration services include:
- Full-site backups before migration
- Zero-downtime transfers
- SSL configuration for secure connections
- SEO-friendly URL updates and redirects
- Performance optimization post-migration
Conclusion
Moving your WordPress site to a subdomain can enhance site organization, improve SEO, and allow better content management. By following these best practices and leveraging WordPress Pivot’s expert migration services, you can ensure a smooth, secure, and hassle-free transition.
Are you looking for professional WordPress migration services? Contact WordPress Pivot today for a seamless migration experience!