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Plugins course · Beginner

Better Search and Replace: WordPress Plugin Tutorial

Better Search Replace tutorial: safely run bulk find-and-replace across your WordPress database for migrations, domain changes and cleanup jobs.

3 lessons
12 min
Free with a free account

Better Search Replace is a free WordPress plugin for running find-and-replace across your whole database safely — the tool you reach for after a domain change, an SSL switch, or a bulk content edit. This short course shows where WordPress really stores your text and how to make sweeping changes without breaking anything. You'll finish knowing how to run a big replacement with confidence.

What you'll learn

Sooner or later every WordPress owner needs to change the same text in hundreds of places at once, and doing it by hand is slow and error-prone. Knowing how to use Better Search and Replace lets you update URLs, fix links, or swap details across an entire site in a single pass. This course first explains how your site's data is organized so the tool makes sense, then builds the careful habits that keep a bulk change from doing damage. It's an essential skill for migrations, maintenance, and cleanup work.

Inside the course

  • How WordPress Stores Your Site
  • Installing & The Dry Run Discipline
  • Real Replacements: Three Classic Jobs

Who this course is for

This is aimed at site owners, freelancers, and anyone who maintains WordPress sites and occasionally needs a bulk text change. It's beginner-friendly, but because you're editing the database, a calm, careful approach matters more than technical skill. Always back up first — our free written tutorials cover backups if you need them.

Frequently asked questions

Is Better Search and Replace free?
Yes. The plugin is free, and this course is free to watch with a free WP Tutoring account. There's a paid pro version, but the free plugin handles the classic jobs covered here.
Is it safe to run a bulk search and replace?
It is, as long as you're careful. The course leans hard on the dry-run habit and on backing up first, so you can preview what would change before anything is written.
When would I need Better Search and Replace?
Common cases include moving to a new domain, switching to HTTPS, or fixing an old link or detail that appears across many posts and pages at once.

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