Tag: Web-Design

Expired Domain – can I access WP dashboard?

Expired Domain – can I access WP dashboard?

If your WordPress website data is still on your old web host but your old domain name has expired you can still get your old WordPress site and move it to a new domain, as well as new web host.

Problem synopsis –

1. Old domain expired hence your site is not reachable by old domain name.

2. WordPress admin dashboard cannot be accessed using old expired domain name.

3. WordPress data is still on old host.

4. Client wanted to use a new web host and new domain name, but wanted the same WordPress website as hosted on old expired domain name.

Solution Steps –

1. Find out your old web host’s IP address from the cpanel of you old web host, where your old WordPress website data still resides.

2. Enter this IP address and old expired domain name in the hosts file on your computer. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_(file)  for more details on your hosts file location.

The file is usually present in
Windows: C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts
Linux: /etc/hosts
Mac: /etc/private/hosts OR /etc/hosts

You may Google for how to edit hosts file or follow instruction on this article – https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/27350/beginner-geek-how-to-edit-your-hosts-file/

After editing your hosts file, your web browser should be able to resolve your old expired domain name to the IP address of your old web host. So, now clear your browser cache, or use an incognito window (private browsing mode of your browser) to access your old WordPress website, using your old expired domain name.

3. Once your WordPress website and WordPress dashboard is accessible using your old expired domain name, you should install the Duplicator plugin on your old WordPress website.

4. Next use the duplicator plugin to create “package files” (the backup file and installer script created by Duplicator plugin) on the old expired domain’s WordPress install. Download these package files to your system. The plugin is very intuitive to use but if you want details, please follow the instructions on this page – https://snapcreek.com/blog/wordpress/techniques/how-to-move-a-wordpress-site/

5. Upload these package files to the new web host of the new domain, using cpanel (or FTP) on the new host.

6. Create a new database, and a new database user, on the new web host. Note down this info as it will be required while restoring from the duplicator package file.

7. Execute duplicator plugin’s installer.php script and in most cases you will be successful in restoring your old (expired domain) website on the new domain, new host.

8. Your website should be accessible on the new domain name now.

9. Undo the changes you made to the hosts file on your computer.

10. If your old domain has expired you have fewer options in terms of preserving SEO, but if you already had a Google search console account on the old domain, you should use the “Change of address tool” at https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/9370220?hl=en&visit_id=637091560872705890-3050482164&rd=1 to inform Google about change of website address.

 

Adwords country blocking and wordfence settings in WordPress

Wordfence is a very useful plugin for wordpress. However on most sites I have worked on recently, I have realized that most webadmins just install wordfence with default settings.

However if you are using Google Adwords, then do remember to uncheck the “Block access to the rest of the site (outside the login form)” in the “Country Blocking Options” within the “Blocking” submenu of Wordfence settings.

adwords country blocking policy and wordfence settings in wordpress

 

Wordfence also explain it here.

 

4 website credibility factors to turn visitors into customers

Converting visitors into customers is the key to successful PPC management for business growth.

The article Trustworthiness in Web Design: 4 Credibility Factors which reconfirms what the “web usability guru” Jakob Nielsen wrote back in 1999, is very relevant to the topic of website conversions.

The above article by Aurora Bedford is well worth reading. If you don’t have time to read the full article, the summary of the article (with my own notes) is as follows :

Visitors to your website will do business with you only if they trust you.

4 key methods to communicate trustworthiness, as detailed by above article are as follows :

  1. Site Design Quality – (Visual appearance of site)
    Appropriate design, colors to be able to connect with the target audience; to appear legitimate and professional, as required.

    • Site organization should be as per the needs of the target audience. If you do not understand your audience, then start somewhere and study user behavior, using tools like HotJar and other such tools.
    • Visual design as per target audience
    • As the above article mentions – “Typos, broken links, and other mistakes quickly degrade credibility.” Its easy to avoid them with just a little attention to detail.
  2. Upfront disclosure (Be transparent about information)
    • Make it easy for visitors to find information about your business, your policies and the product offering. The product/ service information shared online could vary from industry to industry but in general I feel there is a strong move towards transparency, to build trust.
  3. Comprehensive, Correct, and Current
    • Present comprehensive and relevant information for each service or product your business offers.
    • Photos and videos build trust. Share photos of the team, work-in-process and any other photo as relevant.
  4. Connected to the Rest of the Web – Create, monitor and respond on your social profiles.
    • Online reviews of your business and/or positive presence on other third party sites is an important factor in the conversion process.

If you have time, the original article Trustworthiness in Web Design: 4 Credibility Factors is well worth a read.