Looking to transfer a website from a WordPress multisite network to a single installation? This comprehensive article will guide you through the process of moving a WordPress multisite to a single installation while preserving your SEO rankings and content.
Steps to Transfer a Site from WordPress Multisite to Single Install
Before we get started, ensure that you have a domain name for the single installation. If you don’t have one yet, you can register a domain name with a reliable registrar such as Domain.com or purchase a separate hosting account with a trusted provider like Bluehost.
Once you have your domain name and hosting set up, follow the steps below to transfer your site:
Step 1: Exporting the Data from your Multisite
To export the data from a site in your WordPress multisite network:
1. Log in to the dashboard of the site you want to transfer within the multisite network.
2. Go to ‘Tools’ and click on ‘Export’.
3. Make sure that all content is selected and click on the ‘Download Export File’ button.
4. Save the XML file on your computer as you will need it later.
Step 2: Importing the Data to the Single Install
Now, let’s import the data to the single installation:
1. Log in to the WordPress admin area of the new location where you want to transfer your site.
2. Go to ‘Tools’ and click on ‘Import’.
3. On the import screen, click on the ‘Install Now’ link below ‘WordPress’ to install the importer.
4. Once installed, click on the ‘Run Importer’ link.
5. Upload the WordPress export file that you downloaded earlier.
6. Check the option to import users and attachments.
7. Click on the ‘Submit’ button to start the import process.
8. Wait for WordPress to finish importing your content. This may take a few minutes depending on the amount of content.
9. Once the import is complete, you will receive a notification confirming the successful import.
Step 3: Setting up Redirects
To ensure a smooth transition, set up redirects from your old URLs to the new site. Here are two methods you can use:
Method 1: Using All in One SEO for WordPress
1. Install and activate the All in One SEO for WordPress plugin on your multisite network.
2. Network Activate the plugin for the child site you are transferring.
3. Install and network activate the Redirection Manager addon.
4. Switch to the dashboard of the child site and go to ‘All in One SEO’ and then ‘Redirects’.
5. Activate the ‘Relocate Site’ option and enter the new domain name.
6. Save your changes.
Method 2: Using the Redirection Plugin
1. Install and activate the Redirection plugin on your multisite.
2. Navigate to the admin dashboard of the child site you want to set up the redirect for.
3. Follow the instructions provided by the Redirection plugin to set up domain redirection.
Step 4: Setting up Redirects Using .htaccess File
Another method for setting up redirects is by adding redirect rules to the .htaccess file in your WordPress hosting account:
1. If you are redirecting from a subdomain to the new domain, add the appropriate code to the .htaccess file of your WordPress multisite.
2. If you are redirecting from a directory to the new domain, paste the relevant code into the .htaccess file of your multisite.
Make sure both your single installation and child site are using the same permalink structure for these redirect methods to work correctly.
Troubleshooting the Migration Process
Although the migration process is usually smooth, you may encounter some issues. Here are some common ones and how to address them:
1. If your WordPress export file is too large to import properly, you can split it into smaller pieces.
2. If images do not import correctly to your new site, try importing them separately as external images.
3. If redirects are not working, review your redirect settings and ensure the permalink structures are consistent between the single installation and child site.
By following the steps outlined in this guide and troubleshooting any issues along the way, you can successfully transfer a site from a WordPress multisite to a single installation without losing SEO rankings or content.
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