WordPress is dynamically driven Content Management System which is using the fully propagated domain name as a reference. This means that it will not work correctly on a new server with the domain name not propagated and using your temporary URL if it was configured to be installed using your domain name.
For example, if you are migrating an existing WordPress site from another host to FASTDOT Hosting, you will want to migrate the site and test it prior to pointing the domain name (by changing the name-servers) to your new account in our Australian Data Center.
It is therefor highly advisable to test everything by using your temporary URL before pointing your domain to our Sydney servers. If you install WordPress using Softaculous located in cPanel, you won’t directly have the option to install it using a temporary URL, so you can follow the steps below to get this working properly.
If you need help locating your temporary URL, you can simply contact us via our Helpdesk Your temporary URL will be similar to the following format:
https://123.123.123.123/~yourusername
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Configure WordPress to use Temporary URL
Step 1: To use your temporary URL with WordPress, simply install WordPress on your new FASTDOT hosting account via Softaculous. Don’t worry about the temporary URL yet.
Step 2: Next you will need to locate the wp-config.php file in File Manager in cPanel. The wp-config.php file will be located in the root folder of WordPress.
Step 3: To open the file to edit it, just right-click the file and click on Edit.
Step 4: This will open and edit the actual code of the file, and you will need to insert two lines of code after the first line of the file to set your temporary URL .
define(‘WP_HOME’,’https://123.123.123.123/~yourusername’);
define(‘WP_SITEURL’,’https://123.123.123.123/~yourusername’);
Step 5: Save the changes by clicking the Save Changes button in the upper right corner and you are all set to run your WordPress install from your temporary URL
And that’s it, its a simple as that!
Installing WordPress on a new server using a temporary URL is a common practice, especially when you’re in the process of moving your site to a new host but don’t want to change your domain’s DNS settings until your site is ready to go live. This process allows you to set up and test your WordPress site on the new server without affecting the live site that is still running on the old server. Here’s how to do it:
1. Prepare the New Server
- Ensure your hosting environment meets WordPress’s requirements: PHP version 7.3 or greater, MySQL version 5.6 or greater or MariaDB version 10.1 or greater, and HTTPS support.
- Most hosting providers offer a temporary URL feature. This URL is used to access your hosting account before your domain name is pointing to it. You can usually find this temporary URL in your hosting account’s control panel or by asking your hosting provider’s support team.
2. Create a MySQL Database for WordPress
- Log into your new hosting account’s control panel.
- Navigate to the database section and create a new MySQL database. Note down the database name, username, and password, as you’ll need them during the WordPress installation.
3. Download and Upload WordPress
- Go to WordPress.org and download the latest version of WordPress.
- Unzip the WordPress package locally on your computer.
- Upload the WordPress files to your new hosting account using an FTP client or the file manager provided in your hosting control panel. If you are unsure about where to upload the files, consult your hosting provider’s documentation or support team.
4. Install WordPress Using the Temporary URL
- In your web browser, go to the temporary URL provided by your hosting company. If you uploaded WordPress to a subdirectory, append the directory name to the temporary URL (e.g.,
http://yourtemporaryurl.com/wordpress). - You should now see the WordPress installation screen. Select your language and click “Continue”.
- Fill in the database connection details (database name, username, password) you noted earlier and proceed with the installation.
- When asked, provide a title for your site, choose a username and password for the WordPress administrator account, and enter your email address. It’s recommended to uncheck the “Discourage search engines from indexing this site” option if you’re going to move your live domain to this installation eventually.
- Click “Install WordPress”. After a few moments, WordPress will be installed, and you’ll see a success message.
5. Adjust WordPress Settings for the Temporary URL
- Once installed, log into your WordPress dashboard using the credentials you created during installation.
- Go to Settings > General.
- Ensure the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) are set to your temporary URL. This ensures that all links and resources will use the temporary URL until you’re ready to switch to your permanent domain.
6. Develop Your Site
- With WordPress installed, you can now select a theme, install plugins, and add content to your site using the temporary URL without affecting your live site.
7. Going Live
- Once your site is ready to go live, you’ll need to update the WordPress and Site Address URL settings to your permanent domain name.
- Don’t forget to change your domain’s DNS settings to point to your new server. This change might take a few hours to propagate.
- After the DNS changes propagate, you might also want to search-replace the temporary URL with your permanent URL in your WordPress database. Tools like WP-CLI or plugins like “Better Search Replace” can help with this.
8. Final Checks
- Check your site for any broken links and ensure everything is working as expected.
- Set up any necessary redirects from old URLs to new ones if your site structure has changed.
This process can seem a bit technical, but it’s a safe way to move or create your WordPress site on a new server without downtime. If you’re not comfortable with any steps, it’s wise to consult with or hire a professional to ensure a smooth transition.
