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How to Export Your Website from WordPress Easily

Posted on by William Zheng

Thinking of moving your WordPress site or creating a backup you control? Exporting your website might sound daunting, but it’s a surprisingly straightforward process that gives you freedom and peace of mind.

Whether you’re switching web hosts, building a new website, or simply safeguarding your content, knowing how to export your WordPress site is invaluable. In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step through exporting your website, share useful tips, and answer common questions so you can handle your site with confidence.

How to Export a WordPress Website: A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide

Exporting your website from WordPress might sound technical, but modern tools and built-in features make this task straightforward for beginners and pros alike. Whether you’re moving to a new host, creating a backup, or migrating to a different platform, having a copy of your website data is both empowering and practical.

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about exporting your WordPress website, including the types of data you can export, step-by-step instructions for several methods, practical advice, and answers to the most common questions.

What Does It Mean to Export a WordPress Site?

Exporting a WordPress website means generating copies of your website’s content, data, and (often) media, so you can:

  • Migrate your site to a new host or domain
  • Create a backup for safekeeping
  • Move content to another website or platform
  • Duplicate the site for staging, testing, or development

Depending on your needs, you might export just your posts and pages, your entire site’s data, or even all associated files.


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What Can Be Exported from WordPress?

Before diving into ‘how,’ it helps to know what you can export:

  • Posts & Pages: All content, including drafts and published posts
  • Media: Images, documents, and other uploaded files
  • Comments: Including threaded replies
  • Custom Post Types: Like portfolios, testimonials, products, etc.
  • Menus & Navigation: Menu structures you’ve built
  • Themes & Plugins: The files and settings (plugin-specific methods needed)
  • Site Settings: Users, settings, and configurations

Not all export methods capture every element above; some focus on content, not plugins or themes. Knowing what you need helps you choose the right method.

Main Methods to Export a WordPress Site

You have three main options to export your WordPress website, each with its unique benefits:

1. Export Using Built-in WordPress Tools (Dashboard Export)


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This is the simplest way for most users and works well if you want to export posts, pages, and other content:

Steps:

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Go to Tools > Export on the left sidebar.
  3. Choose to export All Content or select a specific type (Posts, Pages, Media).
  4. Click the Download Export File button.
  5. A .xml (WordPress eXtended RSS) file downloads to your computer.

This XML file contains your posts, pages, comments, custom fields, categories, and tags. To import the content elsewhere, use the ‘Import’ tool on the destination WordPress site and upload the XML file.

Things to Note:

  • This method does not export your theme, plugins, or WordPress core files.
  • Media files are referenced in the XML but will get imported automatically if your new site can access the original URLs.

2. Exporting Your Full Site (Files + Database) via Hosting or FTP

If you need a complete site export—files, plugins, themes, and your whole database—this approach is for you.

Steps:

A. Export Your Files
  • Use FTP/SFTP (like FileZilla) to connect to your server.
  • Download all files in your website’s directory (usually public_html or www).
B. Export Your Database
  • Access your hosting control panel (like cPanel or Plesk).
  • Open phpMyAdmin.
  • Select your website’s database.
  • Click Export (choose “Quick” and format “SQL” for beginners).
  • Save the .sql file to your computer.

Now, you have all your website files, media, themes, plugins, and the complete database.

When to Use:

  • Moving your whole site to a new server/host.
  • Creating a comprehensive backup, including settings.

Challenges:

  • Slightly more technical. Requires access to your hosting environment.
  • Can be overkill for simple exports of posts or pages.

3. Export Using a WordPress Plugin

For even more convenience and advanced options, many users turn to dedicated backup and migration plugins. Some popular choices include Duplicator, All-in-One WP Migration, and UpdraftPlus.

Steps (General Plugin Workflow):

  1. Install and activate your chosen migration or backup plugin from the Plugins screen.
  2. Follow the in-plugin instructions to create an export or backup package.
  3. Download the generated file(s) to your computer.

Benefits:

  • One-click options for full site exports, including theme, plugins, media, and database.
  • Some plugins allow you to restore or import the site easily on another WordPress installation.
  • Perfect for complex or large sites.

Tips:

  • Free plugin versions usually have limits (e.g., file size or feature limitations).
  • Premium versions often support cloud storage and incremental backups.

Step-By-Step: Exporting Content via WordPress Dashboard

Let’s walk through the most common basic method—exporting content via the WordPress dashboard.

  1. Access the Tools Menu
    Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard. On the left sidebar, find and click on Tools, then select Export.

  2. Choose What to Export
    WordPress will offer you three choices:

  3. All Content (recommended if you want everything except plugins/themes)
  4. Posts
  5. Pages

  6. Media

  7. Download the Export File
    After selecting your preferred export option, click Download Export File. Your browser will download an XML file containing all selected data.

  8. Use the Export File
    You can import this XML file into another WordPress site via the Tools > Import feature or keep it as a content backup.

Step-By-Step: Exporting the Whole Site (Files + Database)

  1. Connect Via FTP or File Manager
  2. Use an FTP client or your hosting panel’s file manager.

  3. Log in with your credentials and navigate to your website’s root directory.

  4. Download Your Site Files

  5. Select all files and folders (including hidden files like .htaccess).

  6. Download them to a secure location on your computer.

  7. Export Your Database

  8. Open phpMyAdmin from your hosting panel.
  9. Select your site’s database from the sidebar.

  10. Click the Export tab, choose the Quick export method, and download the .sql file.

  11. Bundle for Transfer or Storage

  12. Store files and database together if you plan to migrate or restore the site elsewhere.

Step-By-Step: Using a Migration/Backup Plugin

  1. Install the Plugin
    Go to Plugins > Add New. Search for the migration or backup plugin you prefer, then install and activate it.

  2. Configure Export Options
    Launch the plugin from your dashboard side menu. Most plugins offer simple wizards to create a backup or export.

  3. Generate and Download the Backup
    Follow the prompts to start the export. The plugin will bundle your files and database and provide a download link.

  4. Store or Move Your Export
    Save your backup/ export file in a safe place or use it to import your site to a new server.

Extra Considerations and Best Practices

1. Verify Storage Space and File Size

Large sites can produce hefty export files. Ensure you have enough storage locally and check your hosting and plugin limits, especially with media-rich sites.

2. Protect Sensitive Data

Your export files may contain user emails, passwords (hashed), and other sensitive details. Store them in secure, preferably encrypted, locations.

3. Test the Import

If you’re exporting for migration, always test the import on a staging or development environment first. This way, you can identify and fix any issues without risking your live site.

4. Include Media

By default, some export methods don’t bundle all media attachments (like images or PDFs). When importing into a new site, select the option to “download and import file attachments” if available.

5. Retain Plugin and Theme Settings

Most export methods don’t include plugin and theme settings. If these are essential, consider full site backups via plugins or exporting custom settings separately.

Special Tips for Exporting with Minimal Hassle

  • Use Export/Import for Content-Only Needs: If all you need is content (posts, pages), stick with the built-in WordPress export/import tools.
  • Favor Plugins for Bigger or More Complex Sites: Plugins are the easiest way to fully clone a site, including database, themes, plugins, and uploads.
  • Coordinate with Your Hosting Provider: Some hosts offer automated migration and backup features—ask support if you’re unsure.
  • Back Up Before Major Changes: Always make an export before upgrading WordPress, switching themes, or doing extensive edits.
  • Double-Check After Migration: Verify that everything transferred successfully, including images, internal links, and site functionality.

Cost Tips (with Shipping, Hosting, and Plugin Considerations)

Exporting your site is usually free:

  • WordPress Dashboard Tools: Free for manual exports of content.
  • Plugin Costs: Many backup/migration plugins have free versions; advanced features like large site support or direct cloud export often require a paid upgrade. Premium plugins generally range from $39–$199 depending on needs.
  • Hosting Costs: Most hosts allow free access to tools needed for file and database exports. Some managed WordPress hosts may charge for advanced migration services.

Shipping?
There are no shipping costs unless you purchase external drives to store large backups or need to send a physical copy (usually not required in digital workflows).

Conclusion

Exporting a WordPress website is a critical skill for anyone serious about their online presence. With a variety of options—from simple WordPress dashboard exports to full-scale migrations using FTP or plugins—you can make backups, move between hosts, or duplicate your site for development.

The key is to assess your needs: basic content export for simplicity, or full site export for a complete clone. Practice exporting periodically to safeguard your data, and always work securely, keeping backups in safe locations.

By following best practices, you can ensure a smooth and safe export process and keep your website’s future flexible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is included in a standard WordPress export file?

A standard WordPress export through the dashboard provides your posts, pages, comments, custom fields, terms, navigation menus, and custom posts. It does not include your themes, plugins, or WordPress system files.

2. Can I export my themes and plugins using the dashboard export tool?

No, the built-in export tool does not include themes and plugins. To export these, use FTP to download your site files or a migration plugin designed for a complete site export.

3. I want to move my entire site to a new host—what’s the best way?

The best method is to export both your files and database, either manually via FTP and phpMyAdmin or using a migration plugin. This ensures your whole site, including design and functionality, transfers successfully.

4. Are there file size limits when exporting a WordPress site?

Yes, some methods have limits. The dashboard export is usually fine for content, but hosting and plugins may restrict export/import file sizes, especially for large sites. Premium plugins or working with your hosting provider can help bypass these limits.

5. Is exporting my site risky for my data or SEO?

Exporting itself is not risky—it’s a safe way to back up your data. However, always keep backup files secure and private. When migrating, test the new site thoroughly before switching DNS to minimize any SEO or downtime issues.

Exporting your WordPress website doesn’t have to be intimidating. By using the right tools and following these clear steps, you’ll be able to safeguard, move, or upgrade your site with confidence.

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