You can migrate your WordPress website using a plugin or manually through the cPanel’s file manager. Some hosting services also do this for free without requiring additional steps from the user.
Migrating your WordPress website to a new host is often necessary when changing hosts or upgrading hosting plans. It may sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With the proper knowledge and understanding, you can easily migrate your WordPress website to a new host in no time.
This article will provide a detailed guide on migrating your WordPress website to a new host in different ways. Let’s begin!
Contents
Method 1: Host-Assisted Migration
Host-assisted migration is a very easy option to migrate your website to a new host. This method involves your new host taking care of the migration process for you, making it a stress-free experience. It’s an excellent option for those who don’t have the technical know-how or don’t want to bother with the intricacies or risks of WordPress migration.
The process is fairly simple: just choose a host that offers host-assisted migration and follow the instructions. In most cases, you will have to provide your website URL, FTP credentials and some other related information. The host team will take care of the rest.
In some cases, you might be able to add your new host as a user on your existing host account, and they may be able to take care of everything else for you.
Here are some of the reputable hosts that offer free migration:
Method 2: Using a WordPress Migration Plugin
Using a WordPress migration plugin is one of the easiest and quickest ways to migrate your website to a new host. They take care of the entire process, from backing up your website to importing it to the new host. If you have a small website with a few pages, using a WordPress migration plugin is likely your best option.
There are different plugins available that you can employ to migrate your website. Some of the most reliable ones include:
- All-in-One WP Migration
- Prime Mover
- WP Migrate
- Duplicator
- UpdraftPlus
Note that some of these plugins may not be compatible with some specific hosting solutions, so make sure to check before you commit. The process of using them may vary, but they are usually very straightforward and simple.
Let’s see how to migrate your website using the All-in-One WP Migration plugin:
1. First, log in to your website and install the All-in-One WP Migration plugin.
2. Once installed, activate the plugin, click All-in-One WP Migration from the left menu, and select “Export”.
3. Under Export, select “File”. It may take a few minutes. Now download the .wpress file to your computer.
4. Log in to the new website and delete everything, including files, pages, media, plugins, themes, as well as the files in the trash. This will ensure a clean installation.
5. Install and activate All-in-One WP Migration on the new website. Click on the plugin name from the left menu in the dashboard and select “Import”.
6. Click on “Import from” and upload the .wpress file you downloaded earlier from the old site. That’s it! Done!
If you need visual aids, here’s an easy-to-follow video that shows the above steps:
Note that the free version of the plugin is suitable for only small websites (300 MB or less). For the larger websites, you need to purchase the premium version.
Method 3: Migrating WordPress Website Manually
If you have a big and complex website, it might not be a good idea to migrate it using a plugin, as things might not go as planned. In such cases, it’s best to migrate the website manually.
The manual migration process is a bit complicated and time-consuming, but it gives you more control over the process and ensures that nothing goes wrong during the migration.
Here’s how to do it:
1. First, you need the root folder of the site you want to migrate (typically the public_html folder). Login to the Cpanel of the old hosting server and find the root folder. Download it as a zip file to your local computer.
2. Now, export the database from the old hosting. To do that, navigate to the Cpanel again, find phpMyAdmin and open it up. Select your WordPress database and export it as a .sql file.
3. Log in to the Cpanel of the new hosting and create a database for your WordPress website. You will also need to create a MySQL user (with a secure password) and assign that user to the newly created database. Note the database name, MySQL username and password, as we will require them later.
3. Open the file you downloaded on your PC earlier, and locate your wp-config.php file. You have to edit the database name, username and password. Replace the old information with the new one and save it.
4. Now, you need to import the updated database file to the new hosting server. Open phpMyAdmin on the new hosting, and import the .sql file you downloaded and updated earlier in the database you have created.
5. At this point, log in to the Cpanel of your new hosting and upload the root folder (the public_html file) to the file manager of the new installation.
6. Once all files are uploaded, log in to the WordPress admin panel of your new hosting and navigate to Settings->General. Make sure that the WordPress address and site address are correct.
7. Finally, connect the new hosting with your domain name. Log in to the domain name provider and point it to the new hosting.
And that’s it! You have successfully migrated your WordPress website manually. The process can be a bit tricky and confusing. Take your time and complete each step carefully. You can also check out this guide from WP Engine for detailed instructions.
Conclusion
Migrating your WordPress website to a new host is easy, but it’s important to understand the process well and carefully implement the right steps. This article has outlined the three best methods for migrating a WordPress website. We recommend using host-assisted migration as it’s usually the easiest option and the host will take care of any settings required on the new hosting package. Otherwise, you can use a plugin or go the manual route.
Whichever method you choose, make sure you have a backup of your website before starting the process and read the instructions carefully. Good luck!