BlueHost is a reputable web hosting provider that has been around for years. With over 2 million hosted websites, you can’t go wrong with them. In this article, we’re discussing how to change BlueHost primary domain name easily.
While you cannot change the already registered domain name, you still can purchase a new domain name. In this case, you will park the old domain name and make the new domain name your account’s primary domain name.
The process is pretty easy and straight-forward. Before getting our hands dirty with the technical steps, it’s important to realize that domain names, once registered, are not modifiable of changeable. Instead, you will have to purchase a new domain with the new name.
In this article, I will show you what you need to change the primary domain name. I will also show you how to park your old domain and make your new domain name the primary one for your web hosting account.
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First: Sign Up For BlueHost
If you’ve already bought web hosting from BlueHost, then you can skip this step and scroll down to the guide and how to change the BlueHost primary domain name.
If you’ve not yet purchased web hosting, then let’s do it with a 57% exclusive discount (for a limited time). To grab your discount, You will need to use our promo link. This is an exclusive discount for our blog readers.
After visiting our promo link, Click on “Get Started Now” to get your hosting account. Follow this detailed step-by-step guide on how to buy BlueHost web hosting. Or you can read more about; Which BlueHost shared hosting plan to choose.
Change BlueHost Primary Domain
There are a few things you need to realize and understand before changing your website’s domain name. Once the primary domain is changed, your visitors will be able to access your website using the new domain name.
The old one will be parked on the same hosting account. A parked domain means that it will be accessible but not functional. All operations and website files will be accessible using the new domain name instead.
You should also understand that domain names, once registered, are not changeable. What happens is that you will register a new domain name. Then, you will need to connect and forward this new domain to your web hosting account.
Let me help you with changing the primary domain in BlueHost. Here’s a step-by-step guide to assist you:
- Log in to your BlueHost account using your credentials.
- Once you’re logged in, navigate to the cPanel (Control Panel).
- In the cPanel, look for the “Domains” section and click on “Addon Domains.”
- You’ll see a list of your domains. Locate the domain that you want to set as the primary domain.
- Click on the “Actions” button next to the domain and select “Make Primary.”
- A confirmation message will appear, asking if you want to proceed with the change. Click “Yes.”
- BlueHost will now set your selected domain as the primary domain.
Please note that changing the primary domain may affect the functionality and appearance of your website temporarily, so it’s recommended to back up your website before making any changes. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to BlueHost’s customer support team.
They are available 24/7 and can provide you with more specific guidance based on your account settings.
How to Unassign Domain Name in BlueHost?
With unassigning a domain name in BlueHost, I mean disabling the domain access over a website. So for example, if you’ve unassigned a domain, this will no longer open the website page you’ve used to see before. This is very useful if you want to set a domain name on hold or if you’re changing domains.
To unassign a domain name in Bluehost, you will need to follow these steps:
- Log in to your Bluehost account.
- Navigate to the “Domains” section in the main menu.
- Select the “Assign” tab.
- Locate the domain name that you want to unassign and click on the gear icon or the “Manage” button next to it.
- In the dropdown menu, choose the “Unassign” option.
Please note that unassigning a domain name will disconnect it from any associated website or email accounts. It’s important to consider the impact of this action before proceeding.
If you have any concerns or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to Bluehost’s customer support. They are available 24/7 and will be happy to guide you through the process.
Can I have two primary domains in BlueHost?
It depends on what you mean with two primary domains here. So if you main the main cPanel domain name, You can only have one domain as the primary cPanel domain. However, if your hosting plan with BlueHost allows extra addon domains, then you can have multiple primary domains each associated with a different site.
Bluehost allows you to have multiple domains on a single hosting account. This means you can have more than one primary domain hosted with Bluehost. Having multiple domains can be beneficial for various reasons, such as managing multiple websites or creating separate email addresses for different domains.
Bluehost offers flexible hosting plans that cater to your specific needs, so you can easily manage and host multiple domains within a single account.
Cancel Domain & Refund
Like we’ve mentioned earlier in this article, domain names once registered are not changeable. You can’t even cancel a domain name registration. Alternatively, you can abandon this unneeded domain name and let it expire without renewing it.
If you decided you will let a domain name expire without renewing it, you need to make sure of canceling any automatic payment subscriptions. Please be noted that domain name renewals are not refundable.
If you’ve just purchased your new web hosting account along with a free domain name from BlueHost, you can change that domain. BlueHost allows you to cancel the newly registered domain names within 3 days after the purchase date.
This means you can still get the new domain name without paying any extra fee to register a new domain. You will need to contact BlueHost support staff and ask for the domain rename process within the first 3 days after the purchase date.
Before Changing Primary Domain
Before changing the domain name, there are a few things to be noted of. Let me list a few notes below. And it’s very important to read the following lines before proceeding with the actual process of changing the primary domain name:
Service Downtime: The websites and email hosted on this account will be down while the system changes your primary domain, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. You’ll kindly need to be patient while the change is happening.
Files & Backups: Your usernames, passwords, files, databases, etc. will not be changed; however, we highly recommend that you download a complete backup of your website files and databases to your home computer as a fail-safe against possible file corruption.
WordPress & File Directories: The new primary domain will point to the public_html directory, the same way the current primary domain does now. It is your responsibility to move the website files for both domains to their new locations in order for the sites to function properly.
Custom Configurations: Any subdomains, custom DNS settings, and email forwarders on the old and new primary domains will be deleted during this process, and it is your responsibility to set those up again when the change is complete.
These notes have been clearly mentioned by the BlueHost support staff. I strongly recommend taking a full backup of your website. Once done, you can seamlessly ask the BlueHost support staff to change the primary domain of your account.
How To Change BlueHost Domain?
The BlueHost support staff are always available to assist. You can contact them using the live chat on their website or via a direct phone call. All you need to do is asking to change your primary domain for your web hosting account.
The following conditions apply:
- Within 3 Days of Purchase: You’ll cancel the old domain and register a new one without any extra fees.
- After 3 Days of Purchase: You’ll have to register a new domain name for an extra fee.
You can easily register the domain name via the BlueHost account dashboard. Or alternatively, you can register it using any other service provider and simply point the domain name to the BlueHost’s nameservers.
Once the new domain is ready, the Bluehost staff member will ask you for confirmation before proceeding with the change. It may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour for the domain change process to be completed and fully propagated.
Move WordPress to New Domain
The new primary domain will point to the public_html directory, the same way the current primary domain does now. It is your responsibility to move the website files for both domains to their new locations in order for the sites to function properly.
Thus, you will have to update the domain name being used in the WordPress configurations and database. Without doing this extra step, you’ll not be able to run your website properly on the new domain name.
While BlueHost will help you to update the primary domain to the new one, it’s still your responsibility to update the WordPress system on your website to use the new domain name instead. The process is simple though.
Kindly follow the steps below to update WordPress settings in order to move WordPress to the new primary domain name:
WordPress Database
This is the ultimate step you will need to allow WordPress to use the new domain name. You’ll simply update the domain name records in the database itself to reflect the new domain. Be careful and take a database backup before proceeding…
- Login to BlueHost Dashboard
- Navigate to the Advanced Settings tab
- Under the Databases section click on phpMyAdmin
- Choose the database where your WordPress files are located
- Find the wp_options Table
- Select Edit on the Site URL and Home Rows
- Replace the current URL with your new domain
These changes are instant. Once completed, you should be able to see your website on the new domain name. If something went wrong, you can always refer back to the BlueHost support staff. They’re always available to assist.
Conclusion
It’s very okay and fine to change your primary domain name. And there could be many reasons behind it. Whether you’re rebranding or re-operating under a new name, you’re always allowed to use the domain you’re satisfied with.
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BlueHost has made it even simpler by providing full support on this process for you. All you need is to purchase your new domain name and ask for help. You can reach out to them via live chat or directly on the phone, whichever suits you.
That was it all about how to change BlueHost primary domain name. I’ve also instructed on how to update your WordPress website to use the new account’s domain name. Let me know in the comments section below if you have got any questions or concerns.
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