Your WordPress site title is an important part of how visitors learn about your website. It sits at the top of the page and should reflect your website’s identity. If you’ve recently rebranded or want to refresh your online presence, you should know how to change your WordPress site title. This article explains how to change the website name in WordPress to match its content, brand, and objectives.
Importance of Website Name in WordPress
Your WordPress site title is a crucial element that plays a pivotal role in your online presence. Here are several reasons why:
1. First Impressions
Your site name serves as the gateway to your website. It’s the first impression visitors receive, and a compelling name can instantly capture attention, spark curiosity, and convey your site’s purpose.
2. Brand Identity
Your website name is linked with your online brand. It captures your organization’s essential beliefs and goals, resulting in a recognizable and distinct identity for your company or project.
3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search engines such as Google prioritize your site name to determine the relevance of your content. A well-optimized title, rich in relevant keywords, can significantly improve your search rankings and visibility.
4. Navigation
A clear and informative site name serves as a navigational aid for visitors. It helps them quickly understand the nature of your website and guides them through the various sections and content offerings.
5. Emotional Connection
A well-crafted site name may trigger emotions and define the tone of your content. Whether your purpose is to entertain, educate, or inspire, your name should reflect that intent and appeal to your target audience.
When to Change Your WordPress Site Name
Changing the name of your WordPress site can breathe new life into it and improve your online presence. Here are some critical instances when you should consider a site name refresh:
01. Rebranding Breakthrough.
If your website has undergone substantial changes, such as a specialty shift, expanded offers, or brand expansion, it’s time for a new name that reflects your evolution.
02. Seasonal Shifts
For websites with seasonal relevance, updating the site name to align with the current season or upcoming holidays can increase relevance and engage your audience.
03. Evolutionary Milestones
Celebrating significant milestones, such as website anniversaries, subscriber milestones, or major achievements, can be marked with a site name that showcases your progress and aspirations.
04. SEO Optimization
As your understanding of SEO strategies and your site’s niche deepens, you may find that your current name is not optimized for search engines. A revamped name can boost your website’s visibility.
05. Competitive Edge
Staying ahead of competitors in search results and user engagement is crucial. A fresh site name can help you stand out in the competitive online landscape.
06. Fresh Content Focus
As your content library grows, your site name should accurately capture the essence of your most recent work. A relevant name makes it easier for users to understand your website’s purpose.
How to Change Your WordPress Site Name
There are various ways to modify the name of your WordPress website. We’ll guide you through each method, beginning with the simplest and progressing to the more complex.
Method 1: Updating Your Site Title in WordPress Settings
This is the simplest method. To easily change your site title, follow these steps:
1. Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard
First, you need to access the administrative area of your WordPress site. To do this, go to `yourwebsite.com/wp-admin` and log in using your credentials.
2. Go to General Settings
Once logged in, you’ll need to access the settings where you can update the site name:
In the left-hand menu, hover over or click on Settings.
From the dropdown or submenu, select General.
3. Update Your Site Name
In the General Settings page, you’ll find fields for:
▪️Site Title
This is where you can enter the new name of your website. It’s often displayed in the header and browser tab.
▪️Tagline
This field allows you to add a brief description or slogan for your site. Update this if necessary to complement your new site name.
WordPress Tagline: Key Features
▪️Purpose
Expands on the why or how of the website.
▪️Content
Summarize the website’s offerings or mission.
▪️Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Contributes to metadata displayed after the site title in search results.
▪️Keywords
Can include relevant keywords to improve SEO visibility.
▪️Product/Service Highlights
Briefly showcases core offerings.
▪️Combined with Site Title
Completes the primary clickable link displayed on search engines.
▪️Placement
Typically positioned beneath the site title on the website’s front end.
4. Save Your Changes
After updating the Site Title (and possibly the Tagline), scroll down and click on the Save Changes button to apply your new settings.
5. Finally, click Publish to make the new site title live.
Method 2: Using the WordPress Customizer
This method is straightforward and allows you to preview changes live before making them permanent.
1. Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Appearance → Customize.
2. The WordPress Customizer interface will open. Click on the Site Identity section.
3. In the Site Identity section, you’ll find the option to edit your Site Title. Enter your new title in the Site Title field.
4. As you make changes, you’ll see a live preview of your website on the right-hand side of the Customizer, allowing you to see how your new title will appear.
5. If you want to update your site’s tagline, you can do so in the same Site Identity section by editing the Tagline field.
6. Once you’re satisfied with the changes, visit your website to view the updated site title.
Method 3: Adjusting WordPress Theme Files (functions.php)
For a more technical approach to changing your WordPress site title, you can edit the `functions.php` file. This method is useful if you lose access to the WordPress dashboard or want a deeper understanding of WordPress functionality.
Important Note:
Always back up your WordPress site before modifying any files. Use methods like external backups for safety.
Using a Child Theme
If you’re using a child theme, note that each child theme has its own `functions.php` file. Make sure to edit the child theme’s file instead of the parent theme’s.
Accessing the functions.php File
1. Use an FTP client, such as FileZilla, to connect to your WordPress site.
2. Go to your core site directory (often named after your site or /www), then go to /public > /wp-content > /themes. Select your active theme folder (e.g., /twentytwentyone).
3. Locate `functions.php`, right-click, and select Edit.
Add the following code to the bottom of `functions.php`:
“`php
update_option(‘blogname’, ‘Your Site Title Here’);
update_option(‘blogdescription’, ‘Your Site Tagline Here’);
“`
Replace `’Your Site Title Here’` and `’Your Site Tagline Here’` with your desired title and tagline. Save the file and upload it back to your site.
The changes should be visible on your site immediately.
What to Do After Changing Your WordPress Site Title
1). Verify Title Change
Check the front end and back end of your site to confirm the title change. If not visible, try clearing your WordPress cache.
2). Ensure the Title Field Is Filled
Don’t leave the Site Title field empty. Include relevant text to help search engines understand your site.
3). Add a Logo
Consider uploading a logo for better brand recognition and visual appeal. Go to Appearance > Customize > Site Identity > Logo to upload it.
4). Check SEO Results on Google
Verify that your changes are reflected in Google search results. Ensure the title appears correctly and the metadata is appropriate.
5). Align Content with Title
Ensure that the site content matches the title and provides what visitors expect.
6). Check Social Media Sharing
Test how your site title appears when sharing content on social media platforms. Yoast SEO can help manage social media metadata.
7). Review Browser Tabs
Ensure that your site’s title and icon look properly in browser tabs.
Conclusion
Changing your website name in WordPress is a straightforward process that involves updating settings in the dashboard, and possibly adjusting theme and plugin configurations. By following the outlined steps, you ensure your new site name appears correctly and consistently throughout your site. Always review your changes to confirm they are applied as intended. Additionally, remember to update your social media profiles and other online listings to reflect your new website name.
