Migrating Your WordPress Site: A Complete Guide
Step-by-step instructions for safely migrating your WordPress site to a new hosting provider without losing data or downtime.
Migration Success Factors
95% of WordPress migrations can be completed without downtime when following proper procedures. This guide covers both manual and automated migration methods with detailed troubleshooting.
Why Migrate Your WordPress Site?
WordPress site migration becomes necessary for various reasons, from poor hosting performance to better pricing or features. Understanding when and why to migrate helps ensure you're making the right decision.
Common Migration Reasons
- • Poor website performance and slow loading
- • Frequent downtime and reliability issues
- • Better pricing at new hosting provider
- • Need for advanced features or resources
- • Improved customer support quality
- • Enhanced security features
- • Scaling requirements for growing traffic
Migration Benefits
- • Improved site speed and performance
- • Better uptime and reliability
- • Cost savings or better value
- • Access to modern hosting technologies
- • Enhanced security and backup features
- • Better customer support experience
- • Room for future growth and scaling
Pre-Migration Planning & Preparation
Critical Pre-Migration Checklist
Technical Preparation
- □ Create full website backup
- □ Document current hosting environment
- □ Check WordPress and plugin versions
- □ Note custom configurations
- □ Test backup restoration locally
Domain & DNS Preparation
- □ Lower DNS TTL values (24-48 hours before)
- □ Document current DNS settings
- □ Prepare new hosting account
- □ Plan migration timing
- □ Inform stakeholders about maintenance
Step 1: Choose Your Migration Method
Free Migration Service
Many hosts offer free migration
Migration Plugin
DIY with plugin assistance
Manual Migration
Complete manual control
Step 2: Create Complete Backup
Before starting any migration, create a complete backup of your WordPress site including files, database, and configurations.
Backup Components
- • WordPress core files
- • wp-content directory (themes, plugins, uploads)
- • wp-config.php configuration file
- • .htaccess file
- • MySQL database export
- • Email accounts and data
- • SSL certificates
- • Custom server configurations
Method 1: Free Migration Service (Recommended)
Hosting Providers with Free Migration
Premium Managed Hosts
- • WP Engine: Expert migration team
- • Kinsta: White-glove migration service
- • SiteGround: Professional migration
- • Liquid Web: Managed migration included
Shared Hosting Providers
- • Hostinger: Free website migration
- • Bluehost: Migration assistance
- • DreamHost: Free migration service
- • A2 Hosting: Anytime migration
Sign Up for New Hosting
Choose your new hosting provider and sign up for an appropriate plan. Don't point your domain yet - we'll do that after migration is complete.
Key Information to Provide
- • Your current domain name
- • Current hosting provider details
- • WordPress admin credentials
- • FTP/cPanel access (if available)
- • Preferred migration timing
Request Migration Service
Contact your new hosting provider's migration team through support channels or dedicated migration request forms.
Typical Migration Timeline
- • Simple sites: 24-48 hours
- • Complex sites: 3-5 business days
- • E-commerce sites: 5-7 business days
- • Large sites (>5GB): 1-2 weeks
What's Included
- • Complete WordPress file transfer
- • Database migration and cleanup
- • URL and path adjustments
- • Basic testing and verification
Test & Verify Migration
Once migration is complete, thoroughly test your site on the new host using a temporary URL before switching DNS.
Testing Checklist
- □ Homepage loads correctly
- □ All pages accessible
- □ Images and media display
- □ Contact forms working
- □ WordPress admin accessible
- □ Plugins functioning
- □ SSL certificate active
- □ Database integrity check
Method 2: Plugin-Assisted Migration
Popular Migration Plugins
Duplicator
Most popular migration plugin with package-based approach
All-in-One WP Migration
Simple one-click migration with file size limitations
UpdraftPlus
Backup plugin with migration capabilities
Using Duplicator for Migration
Install Duplicator on Source Site
Install the Duplicator plugin on your current WordPress site and create a package backup.
Download Package Files
Download the installer.php and archive.zip files created by Duplicator.
Upload to New Host
Upload both files to your new hosting account's public_html directory.
Run Installation
Access installer.php through your browser and follow the installation wizard.
Method 3: Manual Migration
When to Use Manual Migration
- • Maximum control over the process
- • Large or complex WordPress installations
- • Custom server configurations
- • Security-sensitive environments
- • Learning opportunity for developers
- • Free migration service not available
- • Plugin limitations (file size, etc.)
- • Multiple site/database migrations
Export Database
Use phpMyAdmin or command line tools to export your WordPress database from the current hosting.
Database Export Methods
- 1. Access phpMyAdmin in cPanel
- 2. Select WordPress database
- 3. Click "Export" tab
- 4. Choose "Quick" export method
- 5. Download .sql file
Download WordPress Files
Download all WordPress files from your current hosting using FTP, SFTP, or File Manager.
File Download Options
- • FileZilla (Free)
- • WinSCP (Windows)
- • Cyberduck (Mac)
- • Access via cPanel
- • Select all files
- • Create compressed archive
- • Download ZIP file
- • SSH access required
- • tar or zip commands
- • Direct server-to-server
Upload to New Host
Upload WordPress files to your new hosting account and create a new database for import.
Upload Process
- 1. Create new database in new hosting cPanel
- 2. Upload files via FTP to public_html directory
- 3. Extract files if uploaded as compressed archive
- 4. Set proper permissions (755 for directories, 644 for files)
Import Database & Update Configuration
Import your database backup and update wp-config.php with new database credentials.
Configuration Updates
define('DB_USER', 'new_username');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = 'https://newdomain.com' WHERE option_name = 'siteurl';
DNS Migration & Go-Live Process
DNS Propagation Timeline
DNS Migration Steps
Lower TTL Values (24-48 hours before)
Reduce DNS TTL to 300 seconds (5 minutes) to speed up propagation.
Update Nameservers
Point your domain to new hosting nameservers at your domain registrar.
Monitor Propagation
Use tools like whatsmydns.net to check DNS propagation globally.
Verify Migration Success
Test website functionality and monitor for any issues during transition.
Post-Migration Testing & Optimization
Essential Tests
- Website loads correctly
- All pages accessible
- WordPress admin login works
- Images and media display
- Contact forms functional
- SSL certificate active
Performance Tests
- GTmetrix speed test
- Google PageSpeed Insights
- Pingdom performance test
- Mobile responsiveness test
- Cross-browser compatibility
- Database query performance
Common Migration Issues & Solutions
Database Connection Errors
Common Causes:
- • Incorrect database credentials in wp-config.php
- • Database not created on new host
- • Database user permissions not set
- • Database prefix mismatch
Solutions:
- • Verify database credentials
- • Create database and user in cPanel
- • Grant all privileges to database user
- • Check table prefix in wp-config.php
Broken Images and Links
Common Causes:
- • Hard-coded URLs in database
- • Missing uploads directory
- • Incorrect file permissions
- • CDN or external links not updated
Solutions:
- • Use search/replace tools for URLs
- • Re-upload wp-content/uploads directory
- • Set proper file permissions (644/755)
- • Update CDN and external service settings
Plugin and Theme Issues
Common Causes:
- • PHP version compatibility issues
- • Missing PHP extensions
- • Plugin configuration not migrated
- • License key activation required
Solutions:
- • Match PHP version with old host
- • Install required PHP extensions
- • Reconfigure plugin settings
- • Reactivate premium plugin licenses
Migration Success Checklist
Before Migration
- □ Create complete website backup
- □ Document current hosting configuration
- □ Lower DNS TTL values
- □ Choose migration method
- □ Schedule during low-traffic period
- □ Inform users about potential downtime
After Migration
- □ Test all website functionality
- □ Update DNS records
- □ Monitor website performance
- □ Update backup schedules
- □ Cancel old hosting (after 30 days)
- □ Update monitoring and security tools