What is a primary domain name change and what does it involve?

The primary domain name is the domain (e.g. example.com) used to access your website. If you would like to change the primary domain name associated with your HostPapa account, you can do so at any time. However, before you do, you should be aware of some important information that will help to protect access to the data on your server and support a smooth transition. In this article, we’ll walk you through the primary domain name change process.

What happens to your “former” primary domain when you make a change?

Once you’ve purchased and registered your new domain name, you will need to open a support ticket to request a primary domain name change via the HostPapa dashboard. Once the change is processed, your former primary domain will become an addon domain service within your HostPapa billing account. 

Your former primary domain name won’t be cancelled automatically. If it’s no longer required, please cancel the service in your HostPapa Dashboard.

To continue using your former primary domain name for email or a different website, configure it in cPanel to make sure the domain points to the correct folder on your server.

Alternatively, if you want both the new and former primary domains to show the same website, you can configure the former domain to be a Domain Alias in cPanel.

Creating a new alias

Maintaining access to content management systems and web applications

When the primary domain name is changed, your website may temporarily go offline if the old domain is still configured in its supporting database or configuration files. WordPress, Drupal, Joomla!, and other applications hold the domain name in their databases and need to be updated with the new primary domain name to restore access.

To minimize downtime, research the steps required to make these updates before submitting the primary domain name change. Unfortunately, HostPapa Support can’t make these changes on your behalf.

You can find more information about changing domain names for popular applications below:

Updating email accounts

When you request a primary domain name change, all email addresses associated with the former domain will be automatically updated to use your new primary domain. For example, name@myolddomain.com will become name@mynewdomain.com.

Existing emails in your account will be retained, and there will be no change to your webmail password. However, you will need to update your email clients with your new domain name. 

If you retain your old domain name, you can choose to set your old accounts as email forwarders in cPanel so emails can be redirected to your new primary domain.

Domain forwarding in cPanel

Additional HostPapa services

Any additional HostPapa services associated with your former primary domain name (for example, domain privacy, Protection Power, or SSL certificates) will remain associated with that domain, even after the change. These services will need to be repurchased for the new domain and existing services cancelled if the former domain will no longer be used.

More Information

For more information about domains and your HostPapa account, check out the following Knowledge Base articles: 

If you need help with your HostPapa account, please open a support ticket from your dashboard.

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