How do I move my site to a new domain?

What changes

Joomla stores very few full addresses, so most of the site works on a new domain right away. What needs care is everything outside Joomla: links in your content, search engines, and visitors using the old address.

Steps

1. Move the site (or point the new domain to the same folder) as in "How do I move my site to another host?".
2. In configuration.php, make sure live_site is empty (or set to the new address) and cookie_domain is empty.
3. Search your articles and modules for hard-coded links to the old domain and update them.
4. Set up 301 redirects from every old address to the same page on the new domain (in the old domain's .htaccess or hosting panel).
5. Add the new domain to Google Search Console and use its Change of Address tool.

Good to know

• Get an SSL certificate for the new domain before you switch, and turn on Force HTTPS in Global Configuration.