Question: How do I change the main domain of my hosting account? Print

Answer:

This article explains how to change the main domain associated with your hosting account on GHFS Hosting. This can be done if you rebrand, switch to a new domain, or no longer want to use the old one.

1. What Changing the Main Domain Means

When you change your main domain:

• The hosting account will use the new domain name

• Files will stay intact, but the document root folder name may change

• URLs must be updated in your CMS (WordPress, Joomla, etc.)

• SSL certificates must be reconfigured

• Email addresses linked to the old domain will stop working

Only the primary domain is changed, not your actual website files unless you choose otherwise.

2. Can You Change the Main Domain Yourself?

In most cases:
Changing the main domain requires GHFS Hosting support assistance.

This is because:

• Subscription/domain mapping must be updated internally

• DNS and hosting settings must be adjusted

• Plesk may need to regenerate configuration files

You cannot change the main domain through Plesk directly.
You can only add additional domains, but not replace the primary one.

3. How to Request a Main Domain Change

Steps:

1. Log in to your WHMCS client area

2. Open a Support Ticket

3. Select Technical Support or Hosting Support

4. Include the following:

   • Old/main domain

   • New domain you want to apply

   • Whether you want files moved to a new folder

   • Whether email accounts should be recreated

Once submitted, GHFS Hosting will update your hosting account.

4. What Happens After the Domain Is Changed?

Support will:

• Update the main domain in Plesk

• Adjust DNS if you are using GHFS nameservers

• Configure SSL for the new domain

• Move files if needed

• Verify that the site loads under the new domain

You may need to:

• Update your website configuration

• Update WordPress settings (Site URL and Home URL)

• Regenerate permalinks

• Update CMS/database references

• Recreate email accounts on the new domain

5. Considerations Before Changing Your Main Domain

Think about the following:

• SEO impact

• Existing backlinks pointing to the old domain

• Email accounts tied to the old domain

• SSL certificate renewal

• External services or API URLs referencing the old domain

Plan the change during low-traffic hours if possible.

6. When to Contact GHFS Hosting Support

Contact support if:

• You need your main domain changed

• Your site breaks after switching domains

• You want help migrating files to a new document root

• SSL or DNS stops working after the change

• You need to update multiple websites under one account

Support will safely update your main domain and ensure everything continues working.