Do you want to update your site’s structure, improve SEO, or simply rebrand your pages?
Knowing how to edit page URLs effectively is essential in achieving all this.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to change page URLs in WordPress, taking you through various methods and best practices to ensure a smooth transition.
You can change your page URLs from the WordPress admin dashboard, from the wp-config.php file, or the database.
So, let’s dive in and explore the step-by-step instructions and hopefully, you’ll discover the method that best suits your specific needs.
But first…
Why change page URL in WordPress
You may change your website pages’ URL for several reasons including:
- Changing the web address of a page can make it easier for people to find your content on Google.
- A simple and clear web address looks better and helps visitors understand what the page is about.
- If there are errors or typos in the current web address, changing it fixes those mistakes.
- When you’re rearranging or updating your website, changing URLs helps everything fit together better.
- If your website is getting a new name or look, changing the URLs makes sure everything matches.
How to Change Page URL from WordPress Admin Dashboard
WordPress provides two options for changing URLs: modifying the URL of your domain or editing the URL of specific posts or pages.
How to change the URL of Your WordPressDomain
If you want to change the URL of your entire WordPress site, follow these steps:
Step 1: Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard and go to Settings > General.
Locate the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) fields.
Simply enter your new URL in both fields, then scroll down and click Save Changes.
How to change the URL of Specific Posts or Pages
If you want to change the URL of a specific post or page on your WordPress website, here’s what you need to do:
For Posts:
Login to your WordPress admin dashboard and go to Posts > All Posts.
Locate the post you want to edit then click on it to open the editor (or you can click on the Edit option below the post.
In the editor, go to the settings panel on the right-hand side and under the URL section, click on the old post URL that you want to change, then go to the Permalink field and modify the URL as desired.
Click Update to save your new URL.
Tip:
After changing the page URL, don’t forget to update any internal links, sitemaps, and robots.txt files to ensure a smooth transition for both users and search engines.
For Pages:
To change the URL of a specific page on your WordPress website, log into your WordPress dashboard and go to Pages > All Pages.
Locate the page you want to edit, hover over it and click the Quick Edit option.
Under Slug, change the name to your preferred label then click the Update button.
When you refresh your page it should adopt the new URL.
How to change website URL in WordPress from the wp-config.php File
In certain situations, you may need to change your page URL in WordPress, but the options within the WordPress admin dashboard may not provide the flexibility you require.
In such cases, it may be a good idea to edit your URL in the wp-config.php file which will allow you to directly modify the URL settings of your WordPress site from the backend code.
To do this, you will need to connect to your website using an FTP client and locate the wp-config.php file.
This file contains crucial settings and configurations for your WordPress installation.
Open the file in a text editor and locate the line that defines the database connection details, typically starting with define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘your_database_name’);
Below this line, you can add the following code to change the page URL:
define('WP_HOME', 'http://your-new-url.com');
define('WP_SITEURL', 'http://your-new-url.com');
Replace your new-url.com with the desired URL that you want to set for your WordPress site.
Once you have made the necessary changes, save the wp-config.php file and upload it back to your server.
It is important to note that when editing the URL in the wp-config.php file, you need to be cautious and ensure that you enter the correct new site URL.
Any mistakes could lead to errors or even render your site inaccessible.
Therefore, it is recommended to create a backup of your website before making any changes to the wp-config.php file.
Also read: How to change copyright in WordPress
FAQ
What are the benefits of changing the page URL in WordPress?
Changing the page URL in WordPress can help improve your website’s search engine rankings, make it easier for visitors to find and navigate your content, and ensure a better user experience overall.
Are there any risks associated with changing page URLs?
Yes, changing page URLs can impact SEO and existing links.
It’s crucial to set up proper redirects to avoid broken links and inform search engines about the changes.
This will help you maintain rankings and preserve link equity.
What if I want to change the URL for multiple pages?
If you’re changing URLs for several pages, consider using a plugin for bulk editing or updating URLs programmatically.
Plugins like “Bulk Page Creator” or “Velvet Blues Update URLs” can be helpful.
Is it possible to change page URLs directly in the WordPress database?
Yes, it’s possible but requires caution.
You can use phpMyAdmin or a database management tool to update the wp_posts table.
Always back up your database before making such changes.
What should I do if I encounter issues after changing a page URL?
If you face issues, revert to a backup if available.
Ensure that you’ve set up redirects properly and clear caches to see the changes.
You can also seek assistance from forums or professionals if needed.
How often can I change page URLs without negatively impacting SEO?
Regularly changing URLs can lead to loss of rankings and user confusion.
Try to minimize URL changes to avoid SEO disruptions.
If you believe changes are necessary, use proper redirects and inform search engines promptly.
Conclusion
In summary, changing page URLs in WordPress can have a significant impact on your website’s SEO and user experience.
By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can successfully modify your page URLs and ensure a smooth transition for both search engines and visitors.
Remember to update internal links, sitemaps, and robots.txt files to avoid broken links and potential SEO errors.
Additionally, implementing proper redirects will help redirect visitors to the new URLs and maintain your website’s credibility.
As a responsible website owner, regularly monitor your site’s performance and make any necessary adjustments after changing page URLs to ensure that your website continues to thrive and provides a seamless experience for your audience.
