How to change the primary domain on Bluehost
If you're hosting your website with Bluehost, you may need to change your primary domain at some point. Changing your primary domain can be necessary if you want to use a different domain name for your website, or if you want to transfer ownership of your account to someone else. In this article, we'll go over the steps you need to take to change your primary domain on Bluehost.
Up to 70% off for Bluehost hosting
Step 1: Log in to your Bluehost account The first step in changing your primary domain on Bluehost is to log in to your account. Go to Bluehost's website and click the "Login" button in the top right corner. Enter your username and password to log in to your account.
Step 2: Go to the cPanel Once you're logged in, you'll be taken to your Bluehost dashboard. From here, click the "cPanel" button in the top navigation menu. This will take you to your cPanel, which is where you'll be able to change your primary domain.
Step 3: Find the "Domains" section Once you're in the cPanel, you'll see a list of different sections. Look for the "Domains" section, which should be near the top of the list. Click on it to open it up.
Step 4: Click on "Addon Domains" In the "Domains" section, you'll see a few different options. Look for the "Addon Domains" option and click on it. This is where you'll be able to change your primary domain.
Step 5: Select your new primary domain In the "Addon Domains" section, you'll see a list of all the domains that are currently associated with your Bluehost account. Find the domain that you want to use as your new primary domain and click the "Manage" button next to it.
Step 6: Change the domain's document root Once you're on the "Manage Domain" page, you'll see an option called "Document Root." This is where you'll be able to change the domain's document root, which is necessary to make it your new primary domain. Change the document root to the directory where your website's files are located.
Step 7: Save your changes Once you've made the necessary changes to the domain's document root, click the "Save" button to save your changes. Bluehost may take a few minutes to update your account with the new primary domain, so be patient.
That's it! You've successfully changed your primary domain on Bluehost. Keep in mind that changing your primary domain can have some implications for your website's SEO and traffic, so make sure you're making the change for a good reason. If you have any questions or run into any issues, don't hesitate to reach out to Bluehost's support team for help.
What is a primary domain on Bluehost?
A primary domain is the main domain name associated with your Bluehost hosting account. When you sign up for Bluehost, you'll choose a primary domain name that will be used to access your website. This primary domain is used as the default domain for your account, and it's the domain that will be used to access your website unless you specify otherwise.
Up to 70% off for Bluehost hosting
How to change your primary domain on Bluehost
If you need to change your primary domain on Bluehost, it's a relatively straightforward process. Here are the steps you'll need to take:
Log in to your Bluehost account.
Go to the cPanel.
Click on the "Domains" section.
Click on "Addon Domains."
Find the domain that you want to use as your new primary domain and click the "Manage" button next to it.
Change the domain's document root to the directory where your website's files are located.
Save your changes.
Bluehost may take a few minutes to update your account with the new primary domain, so be patient.
Important considerations before you change your primary domain on Bluehost
Changing the primary domain on Bluehost can have significant implications for your website's SEO, branding, and functionality. Before you make any changes, it's important to carefully consider the potential impact and take necessary precautions. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind before changing your primary domain on Bluehost:
Back up your website: Before you make any changes to your primary domain, it's important to back up your website. This will ensure that you have a copy of your website in case anything goes wrong during the process.
Consider the impact on SEO: Your primary domain can have a significant impact on your website's search engine optimization (SEO). Changing your primary domain can affect your website's rankings in search engine results.
Update your branding: Your primary domain is an important part of your website's branding. If you change your primary domain, you'll need to update your branding materials to reflect the new domain name.
Check for functionality issues: Changing your primary domain can also impact the functionality of your website. Make sure to test your website thoroughly after making any changes to ensure that everything is working properly.
Inform your audience: If you have an existing audience or customer base, it's important to inform them of the change to your primary domain.
What is Bluehost primary domain name?
A primary domain name is the main domain name that you use for your website. It is the primary address that people will use to access your website. For example, if your website is called "example.com", then "example.com" would be your primary domain name.
Register a new domain name with Bluehost is a straightforward process. Here are the steps to follow:
Go to the Bluehost website: Navigate to Bluehost.com in your web browser.
Click on "Domains": In the main menu, click on "Domains" to access Bluehost's domain registration services.
Search for your desired domain name: Type in the domain name you want to register in the search bar and click "Search." Bluehost will check if the domain is available for registration.
Select your domain: If your desired domain is available, select it from the list of options. If not, try a different name or choose from the suggested alternatives.
Choose your domain extension: Select the domain extension you want to use, such as .com, .net, .org, or any of the other available options.
Add to cart: Once you have selected your domain name and extension, click the "Add to Cart" button.
Choose your domain privacy settings: Bluehost offers an optional domain privacy service that keeps your personal information private. Choose your preferred privacy settings and click "Continue to Checkout."
Create an account: If you don't already have a Bluehost account, you'll need to create one. Fill in your personal and billing information and click "Create Account."
Review your order: Review your domain registration details and make sure everything is correct.
Complete your purchase: Enter your payment information and click "Submit Order." Bluehost will process your payment and register your new domain name.
Up to 70% off for Bluehost hosting
When you change primary domain on Bluehost, there are a few common issues that may arise. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you navigate these issues:
Review the following information: Before you begin the domain renaming process, it's important to review all the information available on the Bluehost website regarding the process.
Website files for both domains: When you change your primary domain, it's important to make sure that all of your website files are updated to reflect the new domain name. This includes any links, images, and other references to your website that may be located elsewhere on the internet.
Data lost during the rename: While rare, it's possible that some data may be lost during the domain rename process. To minimize the risk of data loss, it's important to back up all of your website data before beginning the process. This will allow you to restore any lost data in the event of an issue.
Check DNS settings: After you have completed the domain rename process, it's important to check your DNS settings to ensure that they are correct.
Contact Bluehost support: If you encounter any issues during the domain renaming process, don't hesitate to contact Bluehost support for assistance.
WORDPRESS
WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that can be used to create and manage websites. Bluehost is a recommended hosting provider for WordPress, and they offer a number of features and tools to help customers use WordPress effectively.
Up to 70% off for Bluehost hosting
Public_HTML Directory
The public_html directory in Bluehost is the default web root directory for hosting account users, where all of the files and directories associated with a website are stored.
This directory is necessary because it is the directory that is served by the web server when someone visits your website. It contains all of the HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, and other files that make up your website, and it must be accessible to the web server in order for your website to function properly.
To point to the publichtml directory in Bluehost, you will typically need to use an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client or a web-based file manager provided by Bluehost. Once you are logged into your hosting account, you can navigate to the publichtml directory to view and manage your website files.
DNS
DNS (Domain Name System) changes in Bluehost typically involve updating the DNS records associated with a domain name, such as changing the domain name servers (DNS), creating or editing A records, CNAME records, MX records, or TXT records.
CPanel
A cPanel account in Bluehost refers to the control panel interface that allows users to manage their website, email accounts, domain names, databases, and other hosting features. The cPanel interface in Bluehost is user-friendly and provides access to a wide range of tools and features
New Domain vs Main Domain
The main difference between the main domain and a new domain in Bluehost is that the main domain is the primary domain associated with your hosting account, while a new domain is an additional domain that you can add to your account. The main domain will typically have a directory structure that is different from the directories associated with the new domains in your account. When you sign up for a new hosting account with Bluehost, you may be eligible for a free domain registration for the first year. This means that Bluehost will cover the cost of registering a domain name for you, as long as it's available and within certain TLDs (top-level domains) such as .com, .org, .net, .info, .biz, or .us.
Overall, Bluehost is committed to providing excellent customer support. Bluehost is happy to help users make the most of their hosting experience and ensure that their websites are running smoothly and efficiently. You can ask the Bluehost support for technical concerns.
