It will be like https://codex.wordpress.org/Moving_WordPress#Changing_Your_Domain_Name_and_URLs but without moving any files.
First, work with SiteGround to make sure that the domain name is properly directed to where the files are now.
Then, change the WordPress and Site Addresses at Settings -> General to the new domain name.
If anything goes wrong with that step, you can also change them directly in the database: https://codex.wordpress.org/Changing_The_Site_URL#Changing_the_URL_directly_in_the_database
Finally, use a plugin like https://wordpress.org/plugins/velvet-blues-update-urls/ or https://wordpress.org/plugins/better-search-replace/ to change any URLs in your content.
James,
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly with a detailed response. Before I go ahead with those steps, I should mention that I attempted to change the wordpress and site addresses in Settings > general to my desired domain. When I did this to the WordPress address, nothing changed it seems. When I did this to the site address, it made it so i couldn’t reach my website (too many redirects).
Does this sound consistent with any particular issue? FYI I was able to recover the website by finding the IP on Siteground and re-typing it + the rest of the address in the “site address” section of settings > general.
When I did this to the site address, it made it so i couldn’t reach my website (too many redirects).
Yep, that’s why my recommendation started with “First, work with SiteGround to make sure that the domain name is properly directed to where the files are now.” 😉
James,
OK that makes sense to me. I will respond back if I cannot figure this out after working with SiteGround support.
James,
Thanks so much – I was able to get everything up and running, and I learned a little in the process. Thanks again bud!
Happy to help, and glad it’s working now! 🙂
