Merge example.com/wp with example.com

  • hgovernick

    (@hgovernick)


    7 years, 10 months ago

    Hello Forum,
    My first post here, hope it’s at the right place.

    I have a static site I built at theatrgroup.com in 1996. It has a very high ranking with search engines when searching “method acting” or related searches. But it’s not RESPONSIVE, so I would like to install WordPress in theatrgroup.com/wp with the intention of attempting to merge the newly created WordPress site with the existing static site.

    I would like to do this in such a way that there would be no down time at the main static site, and without losing my standing with the search engines.

    I thought of just creating theatrgroup.com/wp and adding a link from the static theatrgroup.com to the newly created WordPress version, but if I’m not mistaken, Google and others don’t appreciate multiple sites with identical content.

    Is what I want to do even possible?

    Thank you,

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Moderator Jan Dembowski

    (@jdembowski)

    Forum Moderator and Brute Squad

    7 years, 10 months ago

    My first post here, hope it’s at the right place.

    It’s not but I moved it. 😉

    I have a static site I built at theatrgroup.com in 1996.

    Cool.

    so I would like to install WordPress in theatrgroup.com/wp with the intention of attempting to merge the newly created WordPress site with the existing static site.

    That would work and is not a bad idea. To avoid any duplicate content, once you’ve moves an article or URL to the new WordPress URL then 301 the old one to the new.

    The search engines will see that redirect and adjust. Eventually the old URL will fall off the map in those search results.

    How many old URLs do you have? If it’s not many then a .htaccess redirect would be the easiest way to handle that.

    • This reply was modified 7 years, 10 months ago by Jan Dembowski. Reason: Fixed grammar
    Joy

    (@joyously)

    7 years, 10 months ago

    You can put a WordPress in a subdirectory, and have it control the root. So you install it and copy the content of your static pages into the new pages, and then test it all. Then follow the instructions linked on the Settings > General page for “want your site home page to be different from your WordPress installation directory.”
    https://codex.ww.wp.xz.cn/Giving_WordPress_Its_Own_Directory
    I’ve done it many times… it’s easy. You will only need redirects if you don’t make the same structure for the new pages.

    Thread Starter hgovernick

    (@hgovernick)

    7 years, 10 months ago

    Thank you for the helpful responses.

    There’s only one reply form here, so I’m not sure which response I’m replying to, so I’ll reply to both here.

    In answer to the first response from Jan, thanks for moving me to the proper forum. I have almost 100 URLs at my static site. I’ve never used .htaccess redirect so I’d have to study up on that procedure.

    In answer to the second response from Joy, I’ve read thoroughly the information found at the link you provided. Very helpful. It led me to consider a third option if possible, but I need to know the answer to this question:

    Q: Could I install WordPress into the public_html directory containing my existing static site without removing the existing site? If so, I could leave the static site up to maintain search engine optimization and place button links on the static pages leading tablet / phone visitors to the WordPress version of the site, which is responsive.

    Sorry it took so long to answer here, but I didn’t receive an email alerting me of your responses. I’ll have to make sure I’ve configured my preferences.

    Much appreciated, and many thanks.

    Moderator Jan Dembowski

    (@jdembowski)

    Forum Moderator and Brute Squad

    7 years, 10 months ago

    Could I install WordPress into the public_html directory containing my existing static site without removing the existing site?

    If it’s the same URL, while it could technically work or be made to work, troubleshooting it would be not fun. If you can put the new WordPress installation in a separate directory and 301 the old posts there, either one at a time or wholesale, then you’ll have a better time of it.

    Thread Starter hgovernick

    (@hgovernick)

    7 years, 10 months ago

    Thank you for your suggestions. You’ve been very helpful.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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