Are there links on your website that still point to an old URL? You're losing customers and visibility in Google as a result. Don't worry, you don't have to adjust all the links manually!
With the plugin Better Search Replace you can adapt the incorrect URLs to the new URL with just a few clicks. In this article, I'll explain how the plugin works, what advantages it offers and how you can use it step by step on your WordPress website. This will save you time and avoid mistakes!
What is "Better Search Replace"?
The WordPress plugin Better Search Replace is a free and practical tool for WordPress that allows you to easily replace URLs on your entire website. The WordPress plugin searches your database for the URL you specify and replaces it with the new value, i.e. the new URL. This saves you a lot of time and reduces the risk of overlooking individual links.
Example💡: Imagine a complete rebranding of your brand. As the brand name is changed, you also change the domain of your website. Now all URLs must be adapted to the new one. These are for example:
- Menu links
- Button links
- Image links
Instead of searching for and manually updating each URL, you can automate this process with Better Search Replace.
Advantages of Better Search Replace
Better Search Replace is very well rated in the plugin repository (4.3 out of 5 stars), with over 525 ratings. At WPspace we always recommend using Better Search Replace when it comes to website domain customization. And so far, we have only had very good results. Here are the main benefits:
1. time savingMinimize the manual effort! Instead of manually changing the URLs of every link on your website, the plugin does this (usually) in one go. This is a huge advantage, especially for large websites or blogs with many posts.
Note💡: For very large websites or stores, it may be necessary to carry out the process in several steps. Otherwise there are too many database entries for one run.
2. free of charge: With Better Search Replace, the paid version is not necessary in 99 % of cases. So there are no costs for you.
3. user-friendlyEven as a WordPress beginner, you can use the plugin correctly with our step-by-step guide. It is clearly laid out, simple and user-friendly.
4. test run function: Before changes are actually made, you can perform a test run. This will show you as a result how many entries are affected and will be adjusted during the actual run.
5. flexibilityBetter Search Replace works not only with URLs, but also with all other content in your database, such as texts, image paths or even meta descriptions.
Use cases of Better Search Replace
As a rule, you don't need the Better Search Replace plugin on a regular basis, but in individual use cases. Are you unsure whether you need to use Better Search Replace? In the following situations, I recommend using the plugin for your website!
1st domain change: If you change the domain of your website, all internal links need to be adjusted. The plugin helps you to replace every mention of the old URL with the new one - without having to edit each link individually.
2. SSL conversionIf you switch from HTTP to HTTPS, all internal links must be updated. With Better Search Replace you can change all http:// links to https://.
Note💡: Do you host your website in a Reliable WordPress hostingyour website is on HTTPS by default.
3. correct incorrect linksSometimes typos creep into URLs or outdated links need to be replaced. Instead of laboriously searching for these, you can use the plugin to systematically correct them.
Tip💡Use a free "Broken Link Checker" to find all orphaned links. This way you can directly replace several old URLs if necessary. For example, you can use this use
4. exchange meta descriptionsWas there an important update to the wording? Or have you added placeholder texts to your website that now need to be replaced with real content? With Better Search Replace you can do this in one step.
Instructions for Better Search Replace
Whether you want to update a URL or your meta description, you can use this guide.
Note before you start💡: Create an up-to-date backup of your website. If something goes wrong, you can simply restore the initial state.
Step 1: Installing the plugin
In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Install and search for "Better Search Replace". Click on Install now and then to Activate.
After activation, you will find the plugin under Tools > Better Search Replace. Open this menu item.
Step 2: Search and replace content
To replace the outdated URL globally on the website, fill out the form as described below (this also applies to terms):
- Search for" fieldEnter the URL you want to replace. For example https://alte-domain.de
Important💡: In most cases it is best to enter the entire URL including https://. - Replace with" field": Enter the new URL, for example https://neue-domain.de
- Select tables: It is best to always select all tables to ensure that the URL is adapted everywhere.
Tip💡Select all lines very quickly! Click on a line and press CTRL + A (Windows) or Command A (Mac) - Ignore upper and lower case: Check this box to achieve the best possible overall result.
- Carry out a test run: Activate the checkbox for Test run before you make the actual change. You will then see a preview of the affected entries without anything being changed. This gives you the opportunity to check your changes.
Step 3: Make changes
If the test run was successful and everything looks correct, deactivate the check mark for Test run and click again on Start search/replace. The changes will now be made in your database.
Step 4: Verification
After exchanging the URLs, go to your website and check your website. Focus on the following points:
- Linking of buttons and menu
- Correct images, graphics, GIFs and videos
- Accessibility of further subpages
If you have no problems here, you have successfully completed the customization of your URLs in your website's database.
Tip💡As a rule, you only need the Better Search Replace plugin very rarely. You can therefore deactivate and delete it now. You can easily install it again for the next use case.
Conclusion
Better Search Replace is an indispensable tool when it comes to changing URLs or other meta descriptions on your WordPress website quickly, reliably and free of charge. Whether you need to change your domain, switch from HTTP to HTTPS or correct broken links - this plugin will save you time and hassle. Thanks to the preview function, you can make sure that you don't make any unwanted changes, and it's so easy to use that even WordPress newbies can use it without any problems.
