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Going from sub-domain to .com

by Julia B
12 replies
Yesterday I started a new blog which I placed in sub-domain of my main website here: Julia's Fitness Blog - Getting into shape the right way.

I have now purchased the url juliasfitnessblog.com - it seems to make sense to move to this address to give the blog more of a global appeal and a more memorable address.

Although the blog is kind of a "stand alone" project I would like to keep it linked to my main fitness website. Ideally, I'd move it to the .com address but still have visitor numbers aggregated with my main site in Google analytics and have links to blog adding to the SEO of the site.

Is that possible? Any ideas on the best way of achieving it? I know I could simply forward the .com address over to the subdomain, but I'm wondering if there is a slicker way of doing it which would be better for SEO.

Also, what is in involved in moving to the .com url? I'm hoping this is something I can just do in my hosting cpanel.

Thanks
#subdomain
  • Profile picture of the author Gene Pimentel
    A move to a .com would be simple with a tool like BackupBuddy. It grabs every component of your website, plugins, settings, databases, *everything*, and gives you one file to upload to your new location. Restore with a very simple process. I don't know how this would affect your analytics though.
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  • Profile picture of the author Julia B
    Thanks Gene. I've only written a couple of posts for the blog so far though, so I don't think it would be necessary to pay for software like BackupBuddy. It wouldn't be very much trouble to just start again.
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  • Profile picture of the author ProAffiliate01
    I thought you could just forward the main domain to the subdomain? Am I not understanding what you want to do with your site? LOL I never heard of Backup Buddy before.
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  • Profile picture of the author adexaja
    Go To Your PHPMyadmin >> click your database,

    find wp_options table, and click it
    find siteurl coloums and click it

    change value with your new domain
    cmiiw
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    • Profile picture of the author Shadowflux
      Originally Posted by adexaja View Post

      Go To Your PHPMyadmin >> click your database,

      find wp_options table, and click it
      find siteurl coloums and click it

      change value with your new domain
      cmiiw
      I had the same question. Thanks for the info

      (I'm assuming this information is correct, haven't tried it)
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      Native Advertising Specialist
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      • Profile picture of the author Julia B
        Originally Posted by ProAffiliate01 View Post

        I thought you could just forward the main domain to the subdomain? Am I not understanding what you want to do with your site? LOL I never heard of Backup Buddy before.
        Er, OK, well thanks for replying anyway. Sorry if I didn't explain it very well!

        Originally Posted by adexaja View Post

        Go To Your PHPMyadmin >> click your database,

        find wp_options table, and click it
        find siteurl coloums and click it

        change value with your new domain
        cmiiw
        Thanks adexaja, sounds like a perfect solution. I'm new to Word Press though, ca you tell me where to find the wp_options table please?


        Originally Posted by rosetrees View Post

        I wouldn't aggregate the stats. You need independent stats for both sites to work out which site people are coming to, which keywords they are using and where they are coming from.

        I would use a similar design for the blog and custom menus on both sites, interlinking between the two. That way visitors can move seamlessly between the two sites, regardless of which site they initially landed on.

        With a little work on the custom menus both sites could have the same menu, so from a visitor's perspective the sites would appear the same.

        You can also do linking between the two sites in your posts and pages - which will help with your seo.
        Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

        I'd move it or start it over as you suggested and then just put a link from the main site to the blog. You will need independent stats for each domain.
        Thanks rosetrees and sbucciarel, OK, that sounds good. Maybe aggregating the stats isn't such a good idea!

        Originally Posted by DROIDM4STER View Post

        Great fitness site
        Thanks!

        Originally Posted by Shadowflux View Post

        I had the same question. Thanks for the info

        (I'm assuming this information is correct, haven't tried it)
        I'm going to try it later today, will let you know how it goes.
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  • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
    I wouldn't aggregate the stats. You need independent stats for both sites to work out which site people are coming to, which keywords they are using and where they are coming from.

    I would use a similar design for the blog and custom menus on both sites, interlinking between the two. That way visitors can move seamlessly between the two sites, regardless of which site they initially landed on.

    With a little work on the custom menus both sites could have the same menu, so from a visitor's perspective the sites would appear the same.

    You can also do linking between the two sites in your posts and pages - which will help with your seo.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    I'd move it or start it over as you suggested and then just put a link from the main site to the blog. You will need independent stats for each domain.
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  • Profile picture of the author DROIDM4STER
    Great fitness site
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  • Profile picture of the author tamalanwar
    Hey Julia, welcome. Since you are a beginner (I guess) here is the perfect solution for you.

    #1 First you just started this personal blog and I assume there are just few posts, and simple design so starting all over again wont be a problem. Do this, go to your wordpress > tools > export.

    You will have a file that includes your posts+comments.

    #2 Now go to your new domain and add wordpress and again go to tools > import.

    Select wordpress and select install importer (it's just like adding a new plugin)

    Now select your file that you downloaded and upload it. Now you will have your articles+comments on new blog with the same dates. (this is a relief if you have lots of posts)

    #3 go to your hosting control panel and select that sub-domain: juliasfitnessblog-fitnessrocks-co.uk -and redirect it to the new address (do a 301 redirect)


    #4 add a new domain in analytics. You may see the traffic coming from that domain in the referrals.

    Originally Posted by adexaja
    Go To Your PHPMyadmin >> click your database,

    find wp_options table, and click it
    find siteurl coloums and click it

    change value with your new domain
    cmiiw
    -this method is for very advanced level users and even me who is experienced in wordpress and files, shake when applying.

    Hope this helps and let me know for any other questions if you may have
    Signature
    Tamal Anwar C.
    I transform old outdated 1990s/2000s websites
    into a fresh site of present time     Learn How
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    • Profile picture of the author Julia B
      Originally Posted by tamalanwar View Post

      Hey Julia, welcome. Since you are a beginner (I guess) here is the perfect solution for you.

      #1 First you just started this personal blog and I assume there are just few posts, and simple design so starting all over again wont be a problem. Do this, go to your wordpress > tools > export.

      You will have a file that includes your posts+comments.

      #2 Now go to your new domain and add wordpress and again go to tools > import.

      Select wordpress and select install importer (it's just like adding a new plugin)

      Now select your file that you downloaded and upload it. Now you will have your articles+comments on new blog with the same dates. (this is a relief if you have lots of posts)

      #3 go to your hosting control panel and select that sub-domain: juliasfitnessblog-fitnessrocks-co.uk -and redirect it to the new address (do a 301 redirect)


      #4 add a new domain in analytics. You may see the traffic coming from that domain in the referrals.



      -this method is for very advanced level users and even me who is experienced in wordpress and files, shake when applying.

      Hope this helps and let me know for any other questions if you may have
      Thanks tamalanwar, sounds easy enough. So once I'd done that it would just be a matter of setting the theme up again and re-uploading the images, right?
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      • Profile picture of the author tamalanwar
        Hey Julia, when we exported the file it should take the images as well. But still if it doesn't then do take the images manually.

        And yes the final steps will be to install theme, plugins and widgets.
        Signature
        Tamal Anwar C.
        I transform old outdated 1990s/2000s websites
        into a fresh site of present time         Learn How
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