Moving WordPress to the Root Directory

Have you ever wondered how to move your WordPress installation to the root directory? This task can be quite perplexing for those unfamiliar with the technical aspects of the process. However, there are a variety of reasons why you may want to move your installation to the root directory, such as improving your SEO ranking as it becomes easier for search engines to crawl.

Understanding the Root Directory

The root directory is the highest-level directory of your website, and contains all of the files necessary for your website to function. When you install WordPress, it creates a subdirectory in the root directory named “WordPress,” where all the WordPress files are stored, including content, themes, and plugins. To move WordPress to the root directory, you must move all the files and folders from the /wordpress/ directory to the root directory.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Create a Backup of Your Website

Before doing anything, create a backup of your website as insurance in case anything goes wrong. You can use a free backup plugin like UpdraftPlus, or a paid WordPress backup service like VaultPress to backup everything, including the WordPress database, files, and folders.

Step 2: Create a New Folder in Root Directory

Create a new directory in your root directory by using an FTP client like FileZilla or logging in to your cPanel account. Rename the folder created, “old_website” or “backup.”

Step 3: Move WordPress Installation Files to the Root Directory

Move all WordPress installation files to the root directory by navigating to the /wordpress directory and selecting everything inside of it. Right-click, and select “Cut.” Navigate to the root folder, right-click, and select “Paste”. This will move all the WordPress files from the /wordpress directory to the root directory.

Step 4: Update the WordPress URLs

Update the WordPress URLs to ensure that the links on your website work correctly. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to “Settings” -> “General.” Change the “WordPress Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL)” to your domain name without the “/wordpress” subdirectory.

Step 5: Check for Broken Links

Checking for broken links is crucial to ensure that links are working properly after moving WordPress. This step is especially significant for high-traffic websites as broken links can result in lost traffic. Use plugins like Broken Link Checker or WP Broken Link Status Checker to check the website for any broken links.

Step 6: Test Your Website

Finally, test your website to ensure that everything is working correctly by visiting different pages and testing the functionality of plugins and themes. Verify that all pages load correctly and that the functionality of plugins and themes is working as it should.

Conclusion

Moving your WordPress installation to the root directory can have a variety of benefits. Nonetheless, it is important to follow the above steps carefully as a misstep can result in lost traffic or other issues. By following these steps, you can move your WordPress installation to the root directory without a hassle!