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How to Move a WordPress Site to a New Hosting

Moving WordPress hosting can sound complicated, with talk of databases, FTP, and DNS settings. The good news? It’s completely manageable. With a clear plan, you can migrate a WordPress site without losing data or suffering significant downtime.

This guide walks you through the manual migration process step by step. We’ll cover everything from backing up your WordPress files to updating your domain’s DNS settings. And yes, you will not lose any previous data.

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Back Up Your WordPress Website Files

This is your safety net. If anything goes wrong during the wordpress site migration process, you can restore your old site and start over. Never skip this step. For businesses looking to enhance their site’s performance, understanding how to update a website is equally important.

You need to download all the files that make up your WordPress installation. This includes your WordPress core files, your wp-content folder (which contains themes, plugins, and uploads), and your WP config files.

How to do it:

  1. Log in to your current web host – Access your hosting account and navigate to the cPanel File Manager.
  2. Locate the root directory – This is usually a folder named public_html or www. Inside, you will see all your WordPress files.
  3. Create a ZIP file: select all files and folders. Make sure you also select hidden files, like the .htaccess file. Then, use the “Compress” function to create a single zip file. This makes downloading much faster.
  4. Download the backup – Once the compression is complete, download the newly created zip file to your computer.

Connect to your server using your FTP credentials and download all the files to a folder on your local machine. This method works just as well but can be slower if you have a spotty internet connection.

Export Your WordPress Database

Your WordPress site is made of two main parts: the files you just backed up and the site’s database. Knowing how to build a winning B2B website can help you structure databases and content efficiently for future growth. The WordPress database stores all your content, like posts, pages, user data, and plugin settings.

How to export the database:

  1. Access phpMyAdmin: From your current web host’s cPanel, find the “phpMyAdmin” tool. This gives you direct access to your databases.
  2. Select your database: You’ll see a list of databases on the left. If you’re not sure which one is yours, you can find the database_name in your wp-config.php file. Click on it.
  3. Export the data: Click the “Export” tab at the top. For the export method, choose “Quick.” For the format, ensure “SQL” is selected.
  4. Download the SQL file: Click “Go” (or “Export”). Your browser will download an .sql file. This is your complete database backup.

Now you have a full backup of both your WordPress site files and your database.

Set Up Your New WordPress Site Environment

Before you can upload anything, you need to set up the new hosting account and create a space for your WordPress website. Choosing the right CMS is crucial before migrating your site.

Create a Site’s Database on Your New Web Host

Your new WordPress site needs a new, empty database to import your old data into.

  1. Log in to your new hosting account: Find the “MySQL Databases” or a similar tool in your new cPanel.
  2. Create a new database: Give it a name (e.g., new_wp_db).
  3. Create a database user: You also need to create a database user. Give it a database_username and generate a new secure password. Store this password somewhere safe.
  4. Add the user to the database: The final step is to assign the new user to the new database. Make sure to grant “All Privileges” when prompted.

Keep your new database_name, database_username, and the secure password handy. You’ll need them soon.

Upload Your WordPress Files to the New Host

With the new hosting environment ready, you can now upload the backup you created in Step 1.

  1. Connect to your new web host: Log in to your new cPanel and open the File Manager.
  2. Navigate to the root directory: Go to the public_html folder.
  3. Upload the ZIP file: Click “Upload,” then select the ZIP file containing your WordPress files from your computer.
  4. Extract the files: Once the upload is complete, right-click on the zip file and select “Extract.” This will unpack all your website files into the public_html directory.

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If you’re considering website builders, understanding common Wix design mistakes can prevent issues during migration. Simply connect to your new server and drag all the files from your local backup folder into the root directory of your new host.

Edit the wp-config.php File to migrate a WordPress Website.

The wp-config.php file acts as the bridge between your WordPress files and your database. It tells WordPress how to connect to the database. Additionally, knowing why small businesses need a website can highlight the importance of properly configuring your WordPress site.

Since you’re on a new server with a new database, you need to update this file with your new database credentials.

  1. Locate the file: In the cPanel File Manager of your new host, find the wp-config.php file in your root directory.
  2. Edit the file: Right-click and select “Edit.”
  3. Update the database details: Find the following lines of code:
    1. define( ‘DB_NAME’, ‘old_database_name’ );
    2. define( ‘DB_USER’, ‘old_username’ );
    3. define( ‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘old_password’ );
  4. Replace the old values with the new database name, database username, and secure password you created in Step 3.
  5. Save your changes: Save the wp-config.php file and close the editor.

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Import Your WordPress Database Username

Now it’s time to populate your new, empty database with the content from your old site.

  1. Open phpMyAdmin on the new host: Go back to the cPanel of your new hosting provider and open phpMyAdmin.
  2. Select your new database: On the left, click on the new database username you created. It will be empty.
  3. Click the Import tab: At the top of the screen, click the “Import” tab.
  4. Choose the SQL file: Click “Choose File” and select the .sql file you downloaded from your old host in Step 2.
  5. Start the database import: Leave all other settings at their defaults and click “Go” (or “Import”) at the bottom of the page.

The database import process might take a few minutes, depending on the size of your database. Once it’s done, you’ll see a success message.

Update Your Site URL (If Changing Domains)

A simple tool like the “Better Search Replace” plugin can handle this, but since your site isn’t fully live on the new host yet, a direct database query is more efficient. In phpMyAdmin, you can run SQL queries to find and replace the old site URL with the new URL.

However, a safer method is to use a script or the command-line interface (WP-CLI) if your new web host supports it. With WP-CLI, the command would look something like this:

This prevents issues with broken links and ensures that search engines see your new site correctly.

Point Your Domain to a New Web Host

The final step in the WordPress migration process is to update your domain’s DNS settings. This tells the internet where to find your website’s new home.

  1. Find your new DNS servers: Your new hosting provider will give you at least two nameserver addresses. They usually look something like ns1.newhost.com and ns2.newhost.com.
  2. Log in to your domain registrar: This is where you purchased your domain name (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
  3. Update the nameservers: Find the DNS or nameserver management area. Replace the old nameservers with the new ones provided by your new host.
  4. Save the changes: Confirm the update.

DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours. During this time, some visitors might see the old site, while others see the new one. Boosting your website traffic after migration is critical, and this article offers strategies to boost Wix website traffic effectively. Once propagation is complete, all traffic will be directed to your new server.

Conclusion

Migrating your WordPress site might seem like a daunting task at first, but as you’ve seen, it’s completely manageable with a clear step-by-step approach. The key takeaway here is preparation.

Even if you hit a snag, having your backup means you can always revert and try again without losing content or design work. For businesses in specific regions, working with a Digital Marketing Agency in Johnson City can ensure smooth WordPress migrations and tailored solutions.

Ready to Take Your WordPress Site to the Next Level?

If handling databases, FTP, and DNS settings sounds a little too time-consuming, Digital Engage is here to help. Our WordPress website design and development team can handle everything from building a brand-new site to migrating your existing site safely and efficiently.

Let Digital Engage craft a website experience that’s fast, secure, and tailored to your brand. Contact us today, and let’s take your WordPress site to the next level. For those near Knoxville, partnering with a Digital Marketing Agency in Knoxville can provide local expertise for web design and SEO.

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FAQs

1. How long does it take to move a WordPress site to a new host?

Migration time depends on site size and database complexity. Digital Engage ensures a smooth, fast transfer with minimal downtime for your website.

2. Will I lose my content during migration?

No. With proper backups of files and databases, your content stays intact. Digital Engage handles migration carefully, safeguarding all posts, pages, media, and plugin settings.

3. Can Digital Engage migrate my WordPress site to a new domain?

Yes. We update database URLs, manage DNS, and ensure seamless redirection. Your site runs perfectly on the new domain without broken links or errors.

4. Do I need technical knowledge to migrate my site?

Not at all. Digital Engage manages all technical steps (FTP, database import, and DNS updates), letting you focus on your business while we move your WordPress site.

5. Does Digital Engage offer full WordPress website services?

Absolutely. Beyond migration, we design, develop, and optimise WordPress sites, creating fast, secure, and visually appealing websites tailored to your brand and business goals.

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