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Create a Vanity URL for Wordpress

UIT is modernizing content management systems and moving to the cloud. As a result, WordPress on AFS will not be available for new sites as of May 1, 2021. WordPress on Stanford Domains is the recommended solution for individuals and groups interested in creating personal or collaborative sites using WordPress. For official department websites or those with more complex needs, Stanford Sites is the primary content management system. Additional information can be found on the WCMS WordPress Hosting project page.

A vanity URL lets you replace your WordPress site URL, e.g., web.stanford.edu/group/group-name/cgi-bin/wordpresswith one that is shorter, e.g., group-name.stanford.edu.

Request a vanity URL

  1. Visit the Web Virtual Host (Vanity URLs) service page to learn more, including the requirements - in particular Stanford's Name Assignment Policy.
  2. Use the virtual host request form to make the vanity URL request.
  3. On the request form, enter the virtual host name that you want for your WordPress site in the search field. For example, if you want group-name.stanford.edu as your vanity URL, enter group-name in the search field. You do not need to include .stanford.edu in your search.
  4. If the virtual host name is not already taken, you can claim it for your WordPress site by filling out the rest of the request form.
  5. On the request form, enter the following fields:
    Website Address
    Enter the actual web address, e.g., https://web.stanford.edu/group/group-name/cgi-bin/wordpress.
    Vitual Host Type
    Choose Proxy type.
    Owner
    Enter your SUNet ID.
    PTS Owner
    You can share ownership with the members of a PTS group. This is optional, but recommended if multiple users might wish to edit the virtual host settings. If you have a PTS group you want to use, enter its name here.

    Leave the rest of the fields blank. The virtual host request will take 1 to 3 business days to process.

WordPress site configuration changes

To complete the process, you need to make additional configuration changes to your WordPress site.

  1. Once you receive confirmation that the proxy virtual host / vanity URL is activated, visit your website using the actual web address, e.g., https://web.stanford.edu/group/group-name/cgi-bin/wordpress.
  2. Log into WordPress
  3. Once you are logged into the WordPress Dashboard, Click Settings in the left sidebar.

  4. On the General Settings page, change the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) fields to the vanity web address, e.g., https://group-name.stanford.edu.

    WordPress General Settings Screenshot

  5. Once the changes are saved, you can now access your WordPress site using the vanity URL.

 

For help, submit a Help ticket or visit the Stanford University WordPress Community of Practice.

Last modified April 14, 2023