Hello there! I recently moved my WordPress website to a new domain on the same host. I followed the instructions carefully - I created a new database, updated the wp-config and robot.txt files with the new information, and redirected traffic from the old domain to the new one via the .htaccess file. However, after completing the transfer, it seems that something went wrong and it wasn't successful.

Whenever I try to access the site from the old domain, certain pages load while others do not, redirecting instead to the new domain. But, when I try to access the site from the new domain, everything is perfectly fine. I'm confused about why this is happening and where I went wrong in the process.

Lastly, I have a question: should I detach the old domain and only leave the new one attached to the site during the transition or should both domains be available? It would be great if you could give me some advice on this topic!

Here's an example of what you can try:

RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^meggido\.com$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://checkingsites.com/$1 [R=301,L]

To add this code to your site, insert it above the #BEGIN WordPress code, like this:

<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
Rewrite Engine on
RewriteBase /

RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^meggido\.com$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://checkingsites.com/$1 [R=301,L]
</IfModule>
It's best not to write anything between #BEGIN and #END. Just click "Save" in the "Settings". This will prevent anything from being erased unintentionally.

To change your domain name, you will need to follow the instructions provided by your hosting provider. The process may vary between different web hosts, so it's important to find the specific instructions for your provider and follow them carefully.

If you're only changing your hosting provider and not making any other changes to your site (such as CMS or design), the process should be fairly straightforward. You'll need to copy and move your files and database to the new host as per the instructions provided.

Many hosting providers offer a free or low-cost service to transfer your site to their hosting, which can make the process much simpler.

Once you've moved the site, you'll need to set up 301 redirects from the old domain to the new one. This will ensure that visitors are automatically directed to the new domain and that search engines understand that your site has moved.

Make sure to set up redirects for all URLs, with and without "www." and for both http and https protocols. You'll also need to update your robots.txt file to reflect the new hostname.

In addition, you'll need to update your domain name in the settings of search engines such as Google. Each search engine has its own procedure for moving a site, so be sure to read and follow the instructions carefully.

Finally, I recommend keeping your old site up as a mirror to preserve your traffic. This can help ensure a smooth transition to the new domain.

It's important to check the settings within your WordPress dashboard after moving to the new domain. Even if you updated the wp-config file, you also need to update the site URL and home URL settings in the WordPress admin panel. You can do this by navigating to Settings and then General. Make sure both the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) are set to the new domain. If these are still pointing to the old domain, it could cause the behavior you're seeing.

Next, the issues with certain pages loading and others redirecting could be related to the permalinks setting. After you update your URLs, it's a good idea to go to Settings and then Permalinks, and simply click the Save Changes button without modifying anything. This will refresh your rewrite rules and might resolve any routing problems.

Regarding your .htaccess file, ensure that the redirection rules are correctly set. A common way to handle redirects is by using the following code:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^old-domain.com [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://new-domain.com/$1 [L,R=301]

Make sure that this rule is correctly placed and that there aren't any conflicting rules that might cause odd behavior.

Now, about whether to detach the old domain or keep both attached, it usually depends on your specific needs. If you want to ensure a seamless transition for your users and for SEO purposes, it's generally a good idea to keep the old domain active while properly redirecting traffic to the new one. This way, users who have bookmarked your old site or find it via search engines will still reach the content they're looking for.

However, it's wise to gradually phase out the old domain once you're confident that all your traffic is successfully redirected, and the search engines have updated their indexes to reflect the new domain. You should also consider keeping monitoring your analytics during this time to see if there are any unexpected drops in traffic.
Check your WordPress settings and .htaccess rules, and consider keeping both domains active during the transition. It's critical to ensure everything is set up correctly to minimize any potential user confusion or loss of traffic. If you take these steps, you should be able to make a smooth transition to your new domain.

Transferring a website to a new domain involves a strategic process to ensure a smooth transition without losing traffic or SEO rankings. This includes migrating all content, updating internal links, setting up 301 redirects, and informing search engines about the domain change. Proper testing is crucial to ensure functionality across the new domain. Additionally, it's important to monitor analytics and user experience during the transition to maintain site performance.