How To Migrate Your WordPress Website

1. Backup Everything

Before doing anything, back up:

• WordPress files (themes, plugins, uploads)
• Database

You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus and All-in-One WP Migration or do it manually via cPanel/phpMyAdmin.

2. Copy Files to the Main Domain

Option A: If both the subdomain and the main domain share the same hosting account:

• Use FTP or File Manager (in cPanel).
• Navigate to the subdomain directory (/public_html/sub or similar).
• Copy all files to the root directory (/public_html).

Option B: Different servers or accounts:

• Download all files from the subdomain.
• Upload them to the root directory of the main domain.

Update wp-config.php (if needed)

Usually, no changes are needed if you’re using the same database.
But if you moved to a different server/database, update the following in wp-config.php

4. Update Site URL in the Database

You need to change the site URL and home URL from the subdomain to the main domain.

Option A: Use phpMyAdmin

1. Open your database.
2. Go to the wp_options table.
3. Change the values of:
   • siteurl
   • home
     From: https://sub.example.com → https://example.com

Option B: Use WP-CLI

Option C: Add temporarily in wp-config.php

If you can’t access the dashboard

5. Search and Replace URLs in Database

Update all internal links and media URLs pointing to sub.example.com.

Tools:

• Plugin: Better Search Replace
  WP-CLI
  

• 6. Fix Permalinks

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard at example.com/wp-admin.
  2. Go to Settings > Permalinks.
  3. Click Save Changes to regenerate .htaccess.

  7. Redirect Subdomain to Main Domain (Optional)To maintain SEO and users, redirect old subdomain URLs.

• In the .htaccess of the subdomain folder
• 

•  Check and Test Everything

  • Visit https://example.com
  • Check links, images, admin panel
  • Test contact forms, plugins, and widgets

  Optional: Update Google Search Console

  • Add the main domain as a new property

  Submit a new sitemap