want to build site to replace an existing one
-
I was asked by my chapter to create a new website to replace the old one – however I want to use the existing domain name. How do I build a new site without creating a new domain name? Thank in advance
-
Hi, generally speaking, you’d be welcome to create a site here, then move the domain over when everything is ready.
Or, is the site currently hosted here? If you’ll send a link we can take a look.
-
Here is the link to the current website. Thank you in advance for your help.
-
OK, that’s actually a subdomain. Here’s what I’ll recommend.
If you need to create a new account for the organization using the organization email so that whoever is in charge at a given time can access it, you can do that. Be sure to verify the email address. And add a few backup methods. I say this because we see account recovery issues with non-profit orgs sometimes when people leave or change positions, so you’ll just want to be prepared.
Then, after the email address is verified, create the new site here. Give it a free name that’s similar to the existing name, and you’ll map the real name to it when you’re finished setting everything up.
Head to https://wordpress.com/page to create each new page for the site. Try to use the same page link names — so for ancestors.htm make sure the “slug” says ancestors. More on that here:
https://wordpress.com/support/slugs/That will work better for SEO / links when you transition to the new site :)
For each page, you can pick whatever page template you like. Then edit the page so it has the right information, copying and pasting text from the site as you’d like. I’m not sure about Safari, but I know in Chrome you can paste plain text with command+shift+V.
You can delete sections you don’t want, replace pictures, etc. Save each page periodically as you work.
You can also contact support as needed. I’d recommend having a paid plan, even before you go live with the real domain name, so you’ll have easy access to support as needed.
Once you’ve got the content moved over and you’re ready to make the site live, use these steps to map your subdomain:
http://en.support.wordpress.com/domains/map-subdomain/I hope these steps are helpful! Again, if possible, get a paid plan so you can access support right away. Be sure to do that while logged in as the “main” site user. :)
Cheers!
-
I wanted to add, too, we also have a guide at https://transferto.wordpress.com/drag-and-drophtml-site-builders/
But I think the steps I gave above will work well with your existing site. Cheers!
-
Thank you so very much for your detailed directives and advice. Question: What happens if my account is already set up with my email address? I’ve also already paid for a plan and paid for support. I plan on upgrading my plan today from the Premium to the Business plan because I’d like to use a plug-in. So I feel that the payments I’ve made will be associated with the email address I’ve created my account with. It’s not the end of the word for me to share my email with other users as it’s an alternate email for me as opposed to my personal one. Thank You again. Here’s to quarantine and building websites! – Maryellen
-
Hey Maryellen,
I don’t think that is a problem at all. Since you are building a new site and already have the plan set up, you can just start from scratch and create the site under your account.
Once you are no longer in charge of the site, I would recommend transferring the site over to the organization and updating the email address to the organization’s email. We come across tons of issues with organizations that can’t access their site because a former member or employee’s email was connected to it, and they could not be reached.
A good way to prevent this is to add the organization’s email as the account recovery email here: https://wordpress.com/me/security/account-recovery
That way, if you are not available to be reached, the organization could use their email to recover the site.As long as there is a plan for passing the site on once you are no longer in charge, having it under your account shouldn’t be an issue at all.
I hope that helps. Let us know if you have any questions. Thanks!
- The topic ‘want to build site to replace an existing one’ is closed to new replies.
WordPress.com Forums 