Changing a domain name

Hello all.

I have got an existing website in static html.
I intend to move everything to modx, and to change server too.


Here is the method I think I am going to use:
1 - Buy a new hosting and domain name ( Just to prepare the website )
2 - Once the website is ready, change the DNS of my original domain
3 - Final step, change the .htaccess of Modx

Do you think that this is going to work fine ? Or do you advise another method ?

Thanks for you answers.

Why not buy new hosting, and then move the existing static site in it's entirety to the new server? Develop MODX in a subfolder and when it's ready either move to the root or use .htaccess and leave it in a subfolder.

I wouldn't want to mess with the things that could get messed up with the method you described.

@Carlo_13, If I understand you correctly, with those steps you'll end up with a different domain name. Do you want to change this on purpose? You can transfer the domain name instead of changing it completely.

@microcipcip

Hi,


No, actually I want to end up with the same domain name. But I will change my servers.

@Frogabog

the only prob is I have got a wordpress blog, that I want to transfer to Modx.

It may take some time, I don't my visitors to visit the website during this time

I believe... Articles can import from wordpress. Read the documentation and search the forum for insight.

Although I thought you said it was a static site. A wordpress site doesn't qualify as static AFAIK... ??

At any rate, you'll still end up with your MODX install on an entirely different domain and I'm not seeing an easy way to change that. I guess the point is, there's little or no point in creating a new domain just to develop MODX, especially if you want to use the old domain. That's what localhost's, and subfolders are for.

Do you need help figuring out how to develop without this domain switcheroo idea that won't really work?

If so, there are three viable options as I see it:

1-Develop locally, import your wordpress site into articles, then move MODX to the new hosting, change DNS. Done...

2- Move your wordpress site to the new host and install on a subfolder (modify .htaccess to use the subfolder instead of a root install - check wordpress documentation for how to do this). Install MODX at the root, develop, import wordpress blog to articles, modify .htaccess so it doesn't look at the subfoder, and again... done.

3- Move your wordpress site to new host, leave it in the root. Develop MODX in a subfolder, import wordpress... etc. When it's ready, either .htaccess to the MODX subfolder or move wordpress site out of the root and move MODX in. Done

You can develop the website in localhost (with XAMPP or equivalent) and upload it when it's ready.

If your domain name is not connected with any hosting provider you can simply upload the website from localhost on the new server, make sure that everything works fine, and then change the DNS. In this way the website will be offline for a very short period of time (generally few hours).

@Frogabog @microcipcip

Thanks for your answers.

Sorry I didn't express myself properly. It is a static website in html, but there is also a blog installed which is powered by wordpress.

I think I am going to develop locally my website, and then upload it to the new server.


Last question ( and then I stop bothering you guys promise )
Is it difficult to import your local database to the new host ? Or as simple as "import" and done ?


Thanks

The database is simple to import (with phpMyAdmin it is just a matter of pressing export/import button), what is challenging sometimes is changing the paths in the manager. If you follow this guide you should be able to transfer it without problems though: http://rtfm.modx.com/display/revolution20/Moving+Your+Site+to+a+New+Server


Furthermore, make sure that your new server works fine with MODX (if possible, before buying it!).

Thanks for your help.


Oh my gosh, there is a lot of work waiting for me.....