Steps Needed to Change Domain

[Mathyoo]

I want to change my wepage's Domain that's connected to my vBulletin account to a different one. Does this mean I haft to but another vBulletin software, If not what are the steps to go through?

[crazyboy1661]

No need to purchase another vbulletin s/w for domain name change.

Are you going to change the server too? If not so.. purchase a new domain name from your Host and assign it to your server account.

Now back-up your both root files and database.

Once you have Assigned your new domain to your account, copy or upload all the files to your new domain folder. its very simple.

Don't forget to update your new domain information in your vbulletin account.

that's it. :up:

[Mathyoo]

I am staying with the same hosting service.

What about for the old domain with all the files, after I transfer them to new do I just delete?

[SPEEDKILLZ]

Originally Posted by Mathyoo

I am staying with the same hosting service.

What about for the old domain with all the files, after I transfer them to new do I just delete?

You van either leave or delete, then redirect old domain url to the new one

[blind-eddie]

I would just rename your existing site folder to the new domain name and then create another folder with your existing site name and set up redirect to new name via host.... then edit the files that need edited to reflect the change.... much easier then moving files.

[HM666]

Originally Posted by Mathyoo

I want to change my wepage's Domain that's connected to my vBulletin account to a different one. Does this mean I haft to but another vBulletin software, If not what are the steps to go through?

Since you are only changing the domain there is absolutely no need to change any files, move them, delete them or any of the other suggestions already given, nor do you need to purchase another license of vBulletin to do this.

There are the steps you need to take:

- If you have not bought the new domain purchase it.

- If you purchased the domain through the hosting company you are using then you maybe able to get them to change your DNS and propagate the domain name and get it to point to your vBulletin install.

- If you purchased your domain from a place other than your host then you will have to KEEP your files where they are and then add the domain name to your hosting account as either an add-on domain or how ever they have it set up in your hosting account. Your best bet on that one is to contact your host and ask them for a tutorial on applying a domain name from a different registrar. Your host may also have a tutorial on applying your domain name to your account. If you are using a domain from a place other than your host you HAVE TO change the name servers within the domain name account to the name servers that your host uses. You can get that information from your host. Once you have the proper name servers in place, you can look to your host to see what you need to do from there.

- Once you change the domain in your hosting account and get your name servers with proper addresses then you will need to login to your vBulletin AdminCP and make a couple of changes there to reflect the new domain. Under the "Options" link on the left menu you should see something akin to "General Settings" I do not have it open right now and I'm tired so that may not be the exact link name. But you should change the URL of the forum in your AdminCP under that "Options" link in the menu. you may have to search for it for a little bit its its not "General Settings".

Several things to keep in mind:

1. This is all assuming that your vBulletin is part of the site root. For instance if your pathway to your web hosting space is www/var/public_html/forum this would mean that its in the root directory. As long as your vBulletin is a part of the root account & directory you do not have to move anything at all.

2. You MUST go and change your URL in the vBulletin members area. Login at http://members.vbulletin.com and change it to the new domain name.

3. When in doubt.........lay out. in other words if everything i just typed made your drool or your eye glazed over and you have no idea what I just said its probably best that you try and get your host to help you or hire someone who knows how to make these changes. You can seriously screw up your site by moving the files around and deleting stuff just for a domain name change.