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How to Move WordPress Website to New Host: Step-by-Step G…

Posted on by William Zheng

Thinking about switching web hosts but worried about losing your WordPress site in the process? You’re not alone. Many website owners find the idea of moving their site daunting, fearing downtime, lost content, or technical headaches.

Knowing how to properly move your WordPress site ensures your content, design, and SEO stay intact, while also improving speed or support with your new host.

This article breaks down the process into clear, manageable steps, offering tips to make your website migration smooth and stress-free.

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How to Move Your WordPress Website to a New Host: The Ultimate Guide

Moving your WordPress website to a new web host can seem daunting—especially if you’ve never done it before. But with the right plan and approach, you can make the process smooth, secure, and downtime-free. Whether you want better site performance, improved hosting features, or cost savings, this guide walks you through every critical step.

Understanding WordPress Website Migration

Website migration is the process of moving your entire WordPress site—including files, database, themes, plugins, and settings—from one web host to another. This is like packing up your house and setting up everything in a new location, ensuring everything works just as before.

Moving your site correctly ensures your visitors experience no disruptions, your search rankings remain intact, and your content stays secure.

Step-by-Step: How to Migrate Your WordPress Site

Migrating your WordPress site can be done in a few ways. You can use a plugin for automation, or do it manually for full control. Let’s break down the manual process—a method that works for all hosting providers and puts you in full command.


How to Migrate a WordPress Site: 5 Methods - Hostinger - move wordpress website to new host

1. Prepare for Migration

Before you start, make sure you:

  • Have access to both your old (current) and new hosting accounts.
  • Know how to access your WordPress dashboard, hosting control panels (like cPanel), and FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
  • Plan for a low-traffic time to reduce disruption, just in case.
  • Backup your site—always create a copy before making big changes.

2. Back Up Your Website Files

All your site’s data—posts, images, themes, plugins—are stored in various WordPress folders.

To back up:


How to Move WordPress to a New Server or Host (No Downtime) - WPShout - move wordpress website to new host

  1. Connect to your old host using an FTP client (like FileZilla) or File Manager through your hosting control panel.
  2. Download your entire WordPress directory (often called “public_html” or “www”).
  3. Save this backup safely on your computer.

3. Export Your WordPress Database

Your site’s content and settings live in the database.

To export:

  1. Log in to your old host’s control panel and open phpMyAdmin.
  2. Select your WordPress database.
  3. Click “Export,” choose the “Quick” method and “SQL” as the format.
  4. Download and save this file securely.

4. Create a Database on Your New Host


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Your new host needs a database ready for your site’s data.

To set up:

  1. Log in to your new hosting control panel.
  2. Open MySQL Databases and create a new database.
  3. Add a new user and assign it to the database, making note of the database name, username, and password.
  4. Keep this info handy—you’ll need it soon.

5. Upload WordPress Files to the New Host

Time to move your files to their new home.

To upload:

  1. Connect to your new hosting account using your FTP client.
  2. Upload the entire WordPress folder (from your earlier backup) into the public directory.
  3. Wait for the upload to finish—this can take a while if your site is large.

6. Import Your Database

Bring your site’s content and plugin settings over.

To import:

  1. Open phpMyAdmin on your new host.
  2. Select the new database you just created.
  3. Click “Import,” then choose the SQL file you exported earlier.
  4. Run the import and wait for confirmation.

7. Update wp-config.php

The wp-config.php file tells WordPress how to connect to the database.

To update:

  1. Go to your site files on the new host.
  2. Edit wp-config.php using your hosting file manager or a plain text editor.
  3. Update the following lines with your new database name, username, and password:

php
define('DB_NAME', 'new_database_name');
define('DB_USER', 'new_username');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_password');

  1. Save changes.

8. Update DNS Settings

Your new host is ready, but visitors still go to the old one. It’s time to point your domain to the new server.

To update DNS:

  1. Get your new host’s nameserver details (from your new host’s control panel or email).
  2. Log in to your domain registrar dashboard.
  3. Find your domain’s DNS settings and replace the old nameservers with the new ones.
  4. Save changes. DNS changes can take from a few hours to 48 hours to fully propagate worldwide.

Other Ways to Migrate WordPress

Migrating manually is reliable but there are alternative methods:

A. Use a Migration Plugin

Several plugins automate the migration process:

  • Duplicator
  • All-in-One WP Migration
  • UpdraftPlus

These plugins let you export your entire site as a package and import it into the new host—no technical expertise required.

B. Hosting Provider Migrations

Many hosts offer free site migration as part of their service. If you’re unsure, check with your new host’s support.

Important Tips and Best Practices

  • Backup Everything: Even if your host offers automatic migration, always keep manual backups.
  • Test Migration: Use a temporary domain or a staging environment to check your site before going live.
  • Limit Downtime: Initiating DNS changes during low-traffic periods will minimize visitor disruption.
  • Monitor Site Functionality: Double-check themes, plugins, and image links after migration.
  • Clear Caches: Flush both browser and server caches to see the changes.
  • Check Email Settings: Moving hosts can disrupt site email. Update email configurations as needed.

Common Challenges (and How to Avoid Them)

  • Large Sites: Large files can stall uploads or time out during transfers. Use plugins that support chunked uploads or ask your host for help.
  • Broken Links: Absolute links in your database might still point to the old host. Use a plugin like “Better Search Replace” to update them.
  • Missing Data: Failing to download or upload all files can lead to missing images or broken plugins. Ensure everything moves.
  • Database Connection Errors: Double-check credentials in wp-config.php.
  • SSL Issues: After migration, update your SSL certificate and internal links to use HTTPS.

Cost Tips for Migrating a WordPress Website

  • DIY is Free: Manual migration only costs your time, provided you already have hosting arrangements.
  • Plugin Fees: Some migration plugins or backup tools require payment for advanced features.
  • Professional Services: Hiring an expert or using your new host’s migration service (sometimes free, sometimes $25-$100 per site) saves time but costs money.
  • Domain Transfer Costs: If you also move your domain to a new registrar, there may be a transfer fee (typically $10-$15).
  • Hosting Plans: Factor in any differences in hosting plan costs between your old and new providers.

After the Move: Post-Migration Checklist

  1. Test Everything: Click through every page, test forms, and ensure plugins and themes work.
  2. Check SSL: Renew or reissue your SSL certificate, if needed.
  3. Set Up Redirects: Ensure any structural changes in URLs are properly redirected.
  4. Monitor Uptime: Use a monitoring tool to watch for any unexpected downtime.
  5. Update Backup Schedules: Re-configure your backup plugin or verify host-level backups are active.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will my WordPress site experience downtime during migration?

If you follow the steps correctly, especially updating DNS only after your new host is set up, downtime can be avoided or reduced to a few minutes.

2. Should I use a migration plugin or move my site manually?

For beginners or simple sites, migration plugins are fast and straightforward. Manual migration offers more control and is necessary for complex or very large sites.

3. How long does it take to migrate a WordPress website?

The process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on your site’s size and your familiarity with the tools involved. DNS propagation may take up to 48 hours, but your site is usually accessible much sooner.

4. Will migrating affect my SEO or search rankings?

If done correctly, your SEO should remain intact. Be sure to keep site structure, URLs, and internal linking the same. Check for broken links afterward.

5. What if I see errors or missing content after migration?

Common causes include incomplete file or database uploads, wrong database credentials, or plugin conflicts. Double-check all steps, and don’t hesitate to contact your hosting support for help.

Summary

Moving your WordPress site to a new host is a manageable task if approached methodically. Proper preparation, backups, and following each step carefully ensure a seamless transition. Whether you decide to migrate manually, use a plugin, or leverage your host’s migration services, the key is testing thoroughly and staying calm. With the right approach, you’ll have your website up-and-running on its new host quickly and confidently—ready to greet your visitors, wherever they come from.

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