Seamless WordPress Site Merge: Preserving SEO Integrity
You may occasionally want to create multiple WordPress websites but later combine them. WordPress includes tools that make this task simple.
What's the purpose of combining two WordPress sites?
There are many reasons for combining two or more WordPress sites. If you want to have all of your information in one place, you might want to build a new WordPress website by merging your old blogs. Another option is that you want to combine the content of one of your less successful blogs with one of your main blogs because it's not performing well.
Most WordPress users combine multiple sites to save time in managing multiple installations. You may focus on maintaining and developing a single WordPress site rather than maintaining, promoting, updating, and maintaining backups of multiple websites.
Now let us look at how to quickly combine WordPress sites.
Exporting Content from a Previous WordPress Site:
For the purposes of this example, let's imagine that you want to merge your WordPress website at http://oldsite.com with http://newsite.com/.
Useful: Make sure to fully back up each of your WordPress websites. It will come in handy if something goes very wrong and you need to go back in time.
To begin, go to the Tools » Export page in the admin section of your previous WordPress website. You wish to combine this website with the more current website.
To start, ensure that you choose the "All content" option before clicking the "Download Export File" icon.
The XML file will now be prepared by WordPress and sent to your browser. This file needs to be saved to your computer because you'll need it for the following step.
The following information will be included in this file:
- All of your WordPress pages and articles
- Every custom post form (if you have any)
- every category, tag, and personal category (if you have any).
Merging Content to the New WordPress Website:
The process of combining material from your previous website with your current WordPress site can be quick and easy. To get started, go to the Tools > Import page in the admin section of the website where you want to merge the data.
On this page, you'll find various export plugins available for download, all of which are compatible with WordPress. Towards the bottom of the page, specifically under the WordPress section, click on the "Install now" link to acquire the necessary importer plugin.
Once the importer plugin is installed, proceed by selecting the "Run Importer" link. This action will prompt you to upload the WordPress export file that contains your desired content from the old website.
Click on the "Select File" icon to choose the XML file you previously downloaded, and then hit the "Upload file and import" button to commence the upload process.
After that, WordPress will upload and examine the contents of your export file. After that, you will be taken to the export settings page, where you can designate authors for the imported content or add new ones.
By selecting the "Import Attachments" checkbox, you can also choose to import attachments from your previous WordPress website, such as media files or photographs.
Once all settings are configured to your liking, click the "Submit" button to initiate the final phase of the upload process.
WordPress will then import the information from your export file and incorporate it into your live WordPress website without any issues. A success message will appear after the import of your material is complete, guaranteeing a seamless transition and consolidation of the data on your website.
Creating Redirects:
Following the successful merge of content from two Wordpress websites, the next step is to set up redirects so that visitors viewing the old site are automatically forwarded to the new Wordpress website.
On the outdated WordPress website, you must change the. htaccess file.
By utilizing an FTP client to visit your WordPress website or the File Manager function in your WordPress server's cPanel, you can update the.htaccess file.
At the root directory of your website, you'll find the.htaccess file.
This code should be placed at the top of your.htaccess file.
- #Options +FollowSymLinks
- RewriteEngine on
- RewriteRule ^(.*) $ [R=301, L] http://www.newsite.com/$1
Do not forget to change your new WordPress site's domain name to newsite.com. Save your modifications and re-upload the file to your server.
Now that the switch has been made, you can access any post on your old WordPress site and get immediately forwarded to that article on the new site.
Conclusion:
Combining WordPress sites can be a strategic decision to streamline management, consolidate content, and improve the user experience. By following the outlined steps of exporting content, importing it to the new site, and setting up redirects, you can effectively merge multiple WordPress websites into one cohesive platform. It's essential to prioritize backups, test functionality post-merge, and monitor SEO impacts to ensure a smooth transition and continued success for your consolidated WordPress site.
Can I combine WordPress sites with different themes and plugins?
Yes, you can combine WordPress sites with different themes and plugins. However, it's crucial to ensure compatibility and functionality after the merge.
Will combining WordPress sites affect SEO?
Combining WordPress sites can impact SEO, especially if you're merging content from multiple domains. Implementing proper redirects and SEO practices can mitigate any negative effects.
Is it possible to merge WooCommerce stores using this method?
Yes, you can merge WooCommerce stores by following similar export and import processes for products, orders, and customer data.
Can I merge WordPress sites hosted on different servers?
Yes, you can merge WordPress sites hosted on different servers. Ensure that you have access to both websites' admin panels and follow the export/import procedures accordingly.
What should I do if I encounter errors during the merging process?
If you encounter errors during the merging process, double-check your export/import settings, ensure compatibility between WordPress versions, and consider seeking assistance from WordPress support forums or professionals.