How to Remove index.php From URL in WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide
One of the common issues faced by WordPress users is the presence of “index.php” in their website’s URLs. This can make the URLs appear longer and less clean, which may affect the overall user experience. Fortunately, there is a straightforward solution to remove “index.php” from your WordPress URLs. In this article, we will guide you through the process in a step-by-step manner.
Step 1: Backup your website
Before making any changes to your website, it is crucial to create a backup. This ensures that you have a restore point in case anything goes wrong during the process.
Step 2: Access your WordPress dashboard
Login to your WordPress dashboard using your credentials.
Step 3: Update your permalink settings
Navigate to “Settings” and click on “Permalinks”. Select the “Post name” option or any other structure you prefer, and click on “Save Changes”. This will update your permalink structure and remove “index.php” from your URLs.
Step 4: Update your .htaccess file
If your website still displays the “index.php” in the URLs after updating the permalinks, you need to edit your .htaccess file. Access the file via FTP or your hosting provider’s file manager and add the following code at the beginning of the file:
“`
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ – [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
“`
Save the changes and upload the file back to your server.
FAQs:
1. Will removing “index.php” affect my website’s functionality?
No, removing “index.php” from your URLs will not affect your website’s functionality. It only improves the appearance of your URLs.
2. Do I need technical knowledge to remove “index.php” from URLs?
Basic knowledge of WordPress and file management is recommended, but the steps provided are easy to follow.
3. Can I revert the changes if something goes wrong?
Yes, if anything goes wrong, you can restore your website from the backup created in Step 1.
4. Do I need to update my website’s links after removing “index.php”?
No, WordPress automatically redirects the old URLs to the new ones without “index.php”.
5. Will removing “index.php” improve my website’s SEO?
While removing “index.php” itself may not impact SEO significantly, cleaner URLs can contribute to a better user experience, which indirectly affects SEO.
6. What if my website still displays “index.php” after following the steps?
Double-check your permalink settings and .htaccess file for any errors. Make sure you have updated the correct .htaccess file.
7. Is it necessary to remove “index.php” from URLs?
While it is not absolutely necessary, removing “index.php” can make your URLs more user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing.
By following the steps mentioned above, you can easily remove “index.php” from your WordPress URLs, improving the overall user experience of your website. Remember to create a backup and proceed with caution to ensure a smooth transition.