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How to Export a WordPress Site: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on by William Zheng

Ever wondered how to move your WordPress site to a new home without losing any content or design? Whether you’re switching hosts, creating a backup, or launching a new project, exporting your WordPress site is a crucial step.

Knowing how to export properly saves time, prevents headaches, and ensures your hard work stays safe.

In this article, you’ll find a clear, step-by-step guide to exporting your WordPress site, along with helpful tips to make the process smooth and stress-free.

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How to Export a WordPress Site: The Complete Guide for Beginners

Exporting a WordPress site may sound daunting, but it’s actually a straightforward process once you understand the steps involved. Whether you want to move your site to a new host, create a backup, or transfer content to another website, learning how to export your WordPress site safely ensures you don’t lose any valuable data. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover easy-to-follow methods, best practices, essential tips, and answers to your most pressing questions.

Why Export Your WordPress Site?

There are several reasons why you might need to export your WordPress site:

  • Site Migration: Moving your website to a new hosting provider without losing content or settings.
  • Regular Backups: Creating a backup for disaster recovery, so you can restore your site if something goes wrong.
  • Redesign or Rebranding: Transferring your content to a new domain or brand identity.
  • Collaboration: Sending your site content to another developer or collaborator.
  • Testing or Staging: Cloning your live site to a staging environment to test new features, plugins, or themes.

Exporting your WordPress site empowers you with greater flexibility, security, and peace of mind.

Methods to Export a WordPress Site


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There are three primary ways to export your WordPress website:

  1. Using the built-in WordPress export tool
  2. Exporting your entire site via plugins
  3. Manual export using hosting tools or file managers

Below, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for each method. Choose the approach that best suits your technical comfort level and the complexity of your site.

1. Exporting with the Built-In WordPress Export Tool

For most users, the easiest way to export site content is by using the default WordPress export feature.

Steps to Export Content:

  1. Login to Your WordPress Dashboard:
    Go to yoursite.com/wp-admin and log in with your credentials.

  2. Navigate to ‘Tools’ > ‘Export’:
    On the left-hand menu, hover over Tools and click Export.

  3. Choose What to Export:

  4. All Content: Posts, pages, comments, custom fields, categories, tags, navigation menus, and custom posts.
  5. Posts: Only your blog entries.
  6. Pages: Only your website pages.

  7. Media: Attachments, images, or other uploaded media files.

  8. Click ‘Download Export File’:
    WordPress will generate an XML file containing your chosen content. Save this file somewhere safe on your computer.

Important Notes:

  • This method only exports your content (posts, pages, etc.), not themes, plugins, or WordPress settings.
  • Media files are included as links but not exported as files. You may need to manually copy them or use a plugin for complete backups.
  • Ideal for blogs and smaller content moves, but not for full site migrations.

2. Exporting the Entire Site with Plugins

To export everything—content, themes, plugins, settings, and even databases—consider using a dedicated WordPress plugin. This approach is perfect for site migrations, duplications, or comprehensive backups.

Popular Plugins for Exporting WordPress Sites:

  • All-in-One WP Migration
  • UpdraftPlus
  • Duplicator
  • WPvivid Backup Plugin

General Steps Using a Backup/Export Plugin:

  1. Install and Activate Your Chosen Plugin:
  2. Go to Plugins > Add New in your dashboard.
  3. Search for and install the backup/export plugin of your choice.

  4. Click Activate after installation.

  5. Launch the Plugin & Start Export:

  6. Access the plugin via the dashboard menu.
  7. Look for an option like ‘Export’ or ‘Backup’.

  8. Select settings or files you wish to include (database, themes, plugins, media).

  9. Download the Exported File:

  10. Initiate the export or backup process.
  11. Once complete, download the file to your computer.
  12. Store it securely, as it contains your full site data.

Things to Remember:

  • Ensure you have enough storage space locally and on your web server before exporting large sites.
  • Some plugins may limit the file size in their free versions.
  • If you plan to import the site elsewhere, the same plugin is usually needed for the import process.

3. Manual Export: Files and Database

For those comfortable with web hosting control panels or FTP, you can manually export your complete site, including code, content, and settings.

Manual Export Steps:

  1. Download WordPress Files:
  2. Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) or your host’s file manager.
  3. Connect to your website and download all files in your root WordPress directory (usually public_html or www).

  4. Include folders like wp-content, which stores themes, plugins, and media uploads.

  5. Export the Database:

  6. Access your hosting control panel (such as cPanel) and open phpMyAdmin.
  7. Select your WordPress database.
  8. Click the Export tab.
  9. Use the Quick export method and select SQL format.

  10. Download the resulting .sql file to your computer.

  11. Store Both Backup Sets Together:

  12. Keep both your files and database securely stored.
  13. For restoration or migration, you’ll need both sets.

Manual Export Suits:

  • Advanced users wanting full control
  • Complex sites with custom code
  • Cases where plugins are not permitted or feasible

What’s Included When You Export?

Depending on your chosen method, your export may include:

  • Content: All posts, pages, comments, categories, tags, and custom post types
  • Media Files: Images, videos, documents uploaded to your Media Library
  • Themes and Plugins: The files and code that define your site’s look and features
  • Database: All data, settings, and configurations

  • WordPress Core Files: The basic structure needed to run WordPress (usually re-installed on the new server)

  • Note: Only exporting content (with the dashboard tool) doesn’t include plugins, themes, or settings. For a true clone, use a plugin or manual export.*

Best Practices for Exporting Your WordPress Site

Follow these expert tips to make your exporting process smooth and secure:

  • Always Backup First: Create an additional backup before exporting, just in case something goes wrong.
  • Check Site Health: Clean up spam, unused plugins/themes, and optimize your database for a smooth export.
  • Test the Export: Import your exported file into a developmental or staging site before making changes to your live environment.
  • Protect Sensitive Data: Never share export files unless necessary and always use secure transfer methods.
  • Update Plugins & WordPress: Make sure your site is running the latest and most secure versions of WordPress, plugins, and themes prior to export.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Exporting a WordPress site isn’t always trouble-free. Here are common issues and how to fix them:

  • Large Site File Sizes:
    Solution: Use a plugin that supports chunked or incremental backups and exports, or exclude unnecessary files.

  • Corrupted Export Files:
    Solution: Re-run the export process, double-check for server timeouts or plugin conflicts.

  • Media Not Included:
    Solution: Use plugins that export media, or copy your wp-content/uploads folder manually.

  • Import Fails on New Site:
    Solution: Ensure the WordPress version matches, increase PHP memory and max upload size, and resolve any file permission issues.

  • Timeouts or Crashes:
    Solution: Export the site in parts (posts only, pages only, etc.), or use a hosting service with better performance.

Cost Tips (Shipping and Export Fees)

WordPress export processes themselves are typically free. However, some considerations apply:

  • Plugin Costs:
    Free plugins handle most exports, but exporting very large sites or advanced features might require a premium (paid) version.

  • Hosting/Storage:
    Exporting, especially for large sites, may incur storage costs if you use cloud services or third-party backup providers.

  • Site Migration Services:
    Some web hosts or professionals offer migration or export/import services—with associated fees. Compare options before paying for a service.

  • No Shipping Fees:
    Unlike physical goods, exporting a WordPress site involves digital files only. There are no shipping or handling costs.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Export Experience

  • Name Files Logically:
    Include dates and descriptions, e.g., mywebsite-export-2024-07-01.sql.

  • Store Exports Securely:
    Use cloud storage, encrypted drives, or secure USB keys.

  • Schedule Regular Exports:
    Set up automated backups/export routines to avoid last-minute issues.

  • Verify Integrity:
    After export, always check file size and scan files for viruses.

  • Stay Organized:
    Keep all exports, images, SQL files, and notes in well-structured folders for easy retrieval.

Conclusion

Exporting your WordPress site doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right approach, you can smoothly transfer your entire website or just the content, whether for migration, backup, or collaboration. Choose the method that fits your technical skills and site complexity—built-in tools for simple content, plugins for complete sites, or manual methods for full control.

Always prioritize security, testing, and regular backups as part of your WordPress website best practices. Proper exports not only safeguard your content but also give you the freedom to evolve your site as your needs grow.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I export my WordPress site without using a plugin?
Yes! The default WordPress Export tool lets you export your posts, pages, and other content as an XML file. However, it doesn’t include plugins, themes, or settings. For complete site exports, a plugin or manual method is necessary.

2. Will exporting my WordPress site remove it from my current host?
No, exporting creates a separate copy of your data. Your original site remains unchanged until you manually delete it or move your domain.

3. What file formats are used when exporting a WordPress site?
– The built-in export tool uses XML files for content.
– Plugins and manual methods may create ZIP files (containing all site files) and SQL files (database).

4. What should I do if my WordPress export file is too large to upload to a new host?
Try splitting the export (e.g., export posts and media separately), increase your host’s upload limits, or use plugins that manage large migrations. Some hosts can assist you with larger file imports.

5. How often should I export or backup my WordPress site?
For active sites, weekly or even daily exports/backups are ideal. For static sites, monthly backups may suffice. Always perform an export or backup before making major updates or migrations.

With these tools, tips, and best practices, you’re ready to export your WordPress site with confidence. Happy exporting!

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