How to Migrate a WordPress Site from One Host to Another: A Step-by-Step Guide

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) in the world, powering over 40% of websites globally. Its flexibility, ease of use, and vast ecosystem of plugins and themes make it a favorite among bloggers, businesses, and developers alike.

At its core, WordPress has a simple structure:

• Files: These include the WordPress core, themes, plugins, and the wp-content folder where your media files are stored.
• Database: This stores all the critical information such as posts, pages, user data, and site configurations.

When migrating a WordPress site, it is essential to back up both the files and the database, as they work together to run your WordPress site seamlessly. Missing either part can cause errors or data loss. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the high-level steps of migrating your WordPress site to a new hosting provider.

Step 1: Backup Your Website Files

Backing up your WordPress files ensures that your themes, plugins, and media are safe. You can do this using the following methods:

• Using an FTP Client:

  Connect to your existing hosting account using an FTP client like FileZilla. Download all the WordPress files, especially the wp-content folder, which contains your themes, plugins, and uploads.

• Using SCP for Secure Transfers:

  If you have SSH access, use the scp command to securely copy files from your server to your local machine or another server:

  scp -r username@oldhost:/path/to/wordpress /path/to/local/backup

• Using File manager provided by the Hosting control panel:

  If your webhost provider/control panel provides a file manager, you would be able to compress the files and download the zip .

Step 2: Export the WordPress Database

The database is the heart of your WordPress site, storing all the content and settings. It’s crucial to back it up properly:

• Using phpMyAdmin:

  Log in to your hosting control panel and open phpMyAdmin. Select your WordPress database, click the “Export” tab, and download it as a .sql file.

• Using mysqldump via SSH:

  If you have SSH access, create a backup of your database using the mysqldump command:

  mysqldump -u username -p database_name > backup.sql

Step 3: Set Up the New Hosting Environment

Before importing the database, create a new database and user on the new hosting account:

• Log in to your new hosting control panel or use SSH to access the server.
• Create a new database and database user, assigning the necessary privileges.
• Take note of the database name, username, and password for the next steps.

Step 4: Upload Website Files to the New Host

Use an FTP client, SCP, or File Manager to upload your WordPress files to the new hosting environment. Double-check that all files, particularly those in the wp-content folder, are uploaded correctly.

Step 5: Import the WordPress Database

• Using phpMyAdmin:

  Open phpMyAdmin on the new host, select the newly created database, and import the .sql file you exported earlier.

• Using mysql via SSH:

  If you have SSH access, import the database using the following command:

  mysql -u username -p database_name 

Step 6: Update the wp-config.php File

Open the wp-config.php file in the root directory of your WordPress site on the new host. Update the database details to match the new database:

define('DB_NAME', 'your_new_database_name');
define('DB_USER', 'your_new_database_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_new_database_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'); // Or the database host provided by your new host
    

Step 7: Test the Website

Update your local hosts file or use a temporary URL provided by your new host to test the site. Verify that all pages, posts, media, plugins, and themes are working correctly.

Step 8: Update DNS Records

• Log in to your domain registrar and update the DNS settings to point to your new hosting server.
• Typically, you will update the A record (IP address) or nameservers.
• Allow up to 48 hours for DNS propagation.

Step 9: Monitor the Website Post-Migration

• After the DNS propagation, thoroughly test your website again to ensure everything is functioning as expected.
• Monitor for broken links, missing media, or issues with plugins or themes.

Bonus Tips for a Smooth Migration

• Use plugins like All-in-One WP Migration or UpdraftPlus if you're not comfortable with manual methods.
• Always check for PHP and MySQL compatibility between the old and new hosts.
• Keep backups until you're certain the migration is successful.

By following these steps, you can confidently migrate your WordPress site to a new hosting provider. With proper planning and attention to detail, the transition can be smooth and hassle-free.