Moving from test domain to live domain

Avatar
  • Answered
Hi. I need to move a wordpress site so far under test development (at http://omrwebservices.x10host.com/test1/ ) to new domain, recently registered with you as fastfuturepublishing.com I have two queries about this:
1. Am I right to think that because the domain is changing from test to live I can't use the simple transfer process using cPanel backup, because when the backup is uploaded it will still think it is the old test domain name, fouling up wordpress permalinks etc? I usually use the Duplicator wordpress plugin to move test sites to live domains (instead of lengthy FTP) - can I use it in this case, or would you recommend another approach?
2. The client wants to have a single non-wordpress html front/index page sitting 'in front of' the wordpress site, so I am intending to install the wordpress files to a sub-folder (e.g. fastfuturepublishing.com/wp1/ ) leaving the html index file (+supporting images) in the domain root. The user links from the html front page to a specific page in the wordpress site and thereafter roams within that site. Any issues you can see with that strategy?
Many thanks
OwenR
Avatar
Arn
Hello Owen, Thanks for the question about either moving your WordPress site and using a static page to site "in front of" your WordPress site. First, if you move your site, it's still just a matter of moving your WordPress files site to a different location and then changing the configuration information to match. Yes, this will require that you reset your permalink files. You should be able to use the duplicator plugin if it supports moving your site to a subdomain. Putting up a static page in the front of your WordPress site is the same as creating what's called a "maintenance page". In fact, if you want save yourself a lot of trouble, it's very possible to KEEP your website in the same location, and get the maintenance site plugin. Several of the maintenance plugins will let you continue working with your WordPress site while preventing people from accessing your site. There's nothing wrong with this strategy, and it's actually good because some of the maintenance page also allow you to update the page to inform your customers about the maintenance being done to the website. I hope this helps to answer your question, please let us know if you require any further assistance.