If you’re looking to change the name of a subdomain on Wix, you’ve come to the right place. Subdomains can be a powerful tool for creating separate sections of your website for different purposes, such as blogs, stores, or geographic locations. However, at times, you might need to rename a subdomain due to rebranding, SEO improvements, or simply a change in focus.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to change the name of a subdomain in Wix. Along the way, we’ll cover important details, such as how this impacts your SEO, and what you need to do to maintain website traffic and functionality.
What is a Subdomain?
A subdomain is an extension of your main domain name that allows you to organize your website into different sections. Subdomains appear before your main domain and are typically used for creating distinct parts of a website. For example:
- www.example.com → This is the main domain.
- store.example.com → “Store” is a subdomain used for an online store.
- blog.example.com → “Blog” is a subdomain used for the blog section.
Each subdomain can host unique content and is treated by search engines as a separate entity from the main website.
Reasons to Change a Subdomain Name
Before we get into the technical steps, let’s first discuss why you might want to change a subdomain name:
- Rebranding: If your business undergoes a name change or pivots its focus, the subdomain may need to reflect this new identity.
- Simplification: A more concise or descriptive subdomain can improve the user experience and make it easier for people to navigate your site.
- SEO Improvement: Changing a subdomain to better align with relevant keywords can enhance your visibility on search engines.
- Reorganization: As your website grows, you may need to restructure your subdomains to better categorize content or services.
Now, let’s look at how to actually change the name of a subdomain on Wix.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing the Name of a Subdomain in Wix
Step 1: Log in to Your Wix Account
To start, log in to your Wix account using your credentials. Once you’re logged in, you’ll be directed to the dashboard, which displays all your active projects.
Step 2: Access Your Domain Settings
After selecting the site associated with the subdomain you want to change, navigate to the Domain Settings. Here’s how:
- From the Dashboard, go to the Settings menu located on the left-hand side.
- In the Settings panel, scroll down and click on Domains.
Step 3: Add a New Subdomain
Wix does not allow direct renaming of an existing subdomain, so the way to “change” the subdomain name is by creating a new one and then transferring the content over.
- Under the Domains section, click on Add Subdomain.
- A new window will pop up asking you to enter the name of your new subdomain. For example, if you want to change your subdomain from blog.example.com to articles.example.com, simply enter “articles” in the subdomain field.
Once you’ve entered your new subdomain name, Wix will automatically configure it with your main domain.
Step 4: Update DNS Settings (If Required)
In most cases, Wix will handle the DNS configuration automatically. However, if your domain is registered through an external provider (such as GoDaddy or Namecheap), you will need to update your DNS settings to point to the new subdomain.
- Log in to your domain provider.
- Navigate to the DNS Management section.
- Add a CNAME record that points your new subdomain to your Wix website. You may need to consult your domain provider’s help center if you’re unfamiliar with this process.
Once the DNS changes propagate (which can take up to 48 hours), your new subdomain should be fully functional.
Step 5: Move Content to the New Subdomain
After creating the new subdomain, you’ll need to migrate any content from the old subdomain to the new one.
- In the Wix Editor, navigate to the site you want to associate with the new subdomain.
- Transfer any relevant content, templates, or apps that you want to use on your new subdomain.
Alternatively, if the subdomain represents an entirely new section of your site, you can design it from scratch using Wix’s drag-and-drop editor.
Step 6: Redirect the Old Subdomain (Optional but Recommended)
Once the new subdomain is up and running, it’s a good practice to set up a redirect from the old subdomain to the new one. This will ensure that any users or external links pointing to the old subdomain are automatically directed to the updated subdomain.
Here’s how to set up a redirect in Wix:
- Go to Settings in the dashboard.
- Scroll down and click on SEO (Google).
- In the URL Redirect Manager, add a 301 redirect from the old subdomain URL to the new subdomain URL.
Note: A 301 redirect informs search engines that the URL has been permanently moved, preserving your SEO rankings and preventing broken links.
Step 7: Update Internal and External Links
Once the subdomain has been renamed, you’ll need to update all internal and external links that reference the old subdomain.
- Internal Links: Ensure all pages within your website link to the new subdomain instead of the old one. This can include the main navigation, footer links, and in-content links.
- External Links: If other websites link to your old subdomain, you may need to contact the site administrators and request an update to the new subdomain.
Step 8: Test and Publish
Before finalizing the change, it’s important to test the new subdomain to ensure that everything is working correctly. Follow these steps to make sure everything is in place:
- Open your site using the new subdomain and check for any broken links, missing content, or formatting issues.
- Ensure that the redirect from the old subdomain to the new one is functioning correctly.
- Once you’ve verified that everything is in order, click Publish in the Wix Editor to make your changes live.
SEO Considerations When Changing a Subdomain Name
Changing the name of a subdomain can have significant implications for your site’s SEO. Below are some key considerations to keep in mind:
1. Redirects Are Crucial
If you don’t set up proper redirects from the old subdomain to the new one, search engines and users will encounter broken links, resulting in a loss of traffic and potential SEO penalties. Always implement 301 redirects to retain SEO value.
2. Keyword Relevance
The new subdomain should be carefully chosen to align with the content it hosts and relevant search queries. For example, if your subdomain focuses on a blog, using something like blog.example.com or articles.example.com will help search engines understand its purpose.
3. Crawl Frequency
After making significant changes like renaming a subdomain, use Google Search Console to request a re-crawl of your site. This will help search engines index the new subdomain more quickly.
4. Update Your Sitemap
When you change a subdomain, you should also update your XML sitemap to reflect the new structure. Submit the updated sitemap to Google Search Console to ensure all pages are indexed under the new subdomain.
5. Monitor Your Rankings
Keep an eye on your rankings and traffic for a few weeks after the change. Use Google Analytics or Wix’s built-in SEO tools to monitor traffic to the new subdomain and ensure there are no significant drops in performance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to Set Up Redirects: Failing to redirect the old subdomain to the new one can result in lost traffic and SEO penalties.
- Ignoring Internal Links: If you forget to update your internal links, users may still be directed to the old subdomain, leading to broken links or confusion.
- Not Updating External Links: While it can be tedious, reaching out to sites that link to your old subdomain is an important step to maintain SEO equity.
Read More: How to Change the Name of a Page on Wix
Final Thoughts
Changing the name of a subdomain on Wix requires careful planning and attention to detail, but it’s a manageable process with the right steps. By following the guide above, you can successfully change your subdomain name, ensuring your website remains well-organized, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines.
Make sure to always consider the SEO impact when making structural changes to your website, and follow best practices for redirects and content migration to avoid any negative consequences.
Happy site-building!
Optimizing your Wix website can significantly improve your online visibility and performance. As an SEO expert, I can provide tips on design, SEO strategies, or advanced integrations. If you’re looking for a Wix SEO expert, contact me today!