Change the main domain of a hosting service

Before you start

• The new domain, registered with FoxFolio Cloud or elsewhere, and access to its DNS or registrar
• A recent backup of the website
• A list of email addresses that use the old domain

Applies to: Cloud Hosting, WordPress Cloud, Managed WordPress.

What changes and what does not

• The website files and database stay on the same hosting service.
• The new domain gets FoxFolio Cloud’s default DNS records, so custom records (for example for outside email) must be re-added.
• WordPress stores its own address; it has to be updated to the new domain, and links inside content may need a search and replace.
• Mailboxes on the old domain do not move to the new domain automatically.

Steps

1. Take a backup

   Create a files-and-database backup and download it. See Create an on-demand backup of your website.

2. Record DNS and email

   Note every DNS record on the new domain that must survive, and every mailbox or forwarder on the old domain you want to keep.

3. Open a ticket from the service

   Sign in, open Support → Open Ticket, select the hosting service and ask to change its main domain. Give the new domain and say whether the old domain should stop working or stay pointed at the same site for a while.

4. Confirm control of the new domain

   FoxFolio Cloud may ask you to add a DNS record or confirm through the domain’s registrar to prove you control it.

5. Point the new domain

   When asked, point the new domain to FoxFolio Cloud. See Point a domain you own to FoxFolio Cloud hosting.

6. Check the result

   After FoxFolio Cloud confirms the change, load the site on the new domain over HTTPS, sign in to its dashboard, and test forms and email.

Troubleshooting and common mistakes

WordPress redirects to the old domain.

The WordPress site address still uses the old domain. Mention this in the ticket; it is part of the change.

The new domain shows a certificate warning.

The free SSL certificate is issued after the domain points to FoxFolio Cloud’s nameservers. See Fix an SSL certificate that is pending or missing.

Related guides

• Buy hosting with a FoxFolio Cloud subdomainIf you do not have a domain yet, choose Use a FoxFolio Cloud subdomain on the domain step of checkout and select Continue. FoxFolio Cloud assigns an address on foxfoliocloud.com with a number in it; you cannot choose or change the number. Use it to build and preview the site, then connect your own domain for a permanent public address.
• Point a domain you own to FoxFolio Cloud hostingTo point a domain registered elsewhere at FoxFolio Cloud, change its nameservers at your registrar to ns1.stackdns.com, ns2.stackdns.com, ns3.stackdns.com and ns4.stackdns.com. Before you switch, copy every existing DNS record and re-create the ones you still need, such as external email or verification records, in your FoxFolio Cloud control panel. Nameserver changes usually work within hours and can take up to 48.
• Add another website to your accountEach FoxFolio Cloud hosting service runs one website with one primary domain. To host another independent website, order another Cloud Hosting, WordPress Cloud or Managed WordPress service on the same account and give it its own domain. If you only want a second domain to show the same website, open a ticket to ask for an alias instead.
• Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC for your domainSPF lists which servers may send mail for your domain, DKIM adds a signature to each message, and DMARC tells receivers what to do with mail that fails those checks. On FoxFolio Cloud, an SPF record is added for you, DKIM is switched on under DomainKeys, and a DMARC record is added with the DMARC Wizard. Start DMARC with the policy None.