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How to Transfer WordPress to a New Host: Easy Step-by-Ste…

Posted on by William Zheng

Thinking about moving your WordPress site to a new host, but worried you might lose content or traffic along the way? You’re not alone. Whether you’re seeking better performance, improved support, or cost savings, transferring your website is a big decision that can feel daunting.

This article breaks down the process into clear, manageable steps. We’ll guide you through everything you need to know, from preparing your files to making your site live again—ensuring a smooth, stress-free move.

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How to Transfer WordPress to a New Host: A Step-by-Step Guide

Transferring your WordPress website to a new host might sound intimidating, but it’s entirely manageable with the right guidance. Whether you’re looking for better performance, support, or services, moving your website doesn’t have to mean downtime, lost data, or headaches. Let’s dive into how you can move your WordPress site to a new web host smoothly and safely.

Why Transfer Your WordPress Website?

Before we get into the nuts and bolts, you might be wondering: Why would someone transfer their WordPress site to a new host? Common reasons include:

  • Improved website speed and performance
  • Better customer support
  • Enhanced security features
  • Cost savings
  • Need for more resources as your site grows


How to manually migrate a WordPress Site - UpdraftPlus - transfer wordpress to new host

No matter your reason, the migration process can be done with minimal disruption by following tested steps.

The Basics: How WordPress Websites Work

A WordPress website is made up of two main parts:

  1. WordPress Files: These include the core WordPress software, themes, plugins, uploads, and customizations.
  2. Database: This stores your content (posts, pages, comments, etc.), settings, and configurations.

Moving both these components is essential during migration.

Step-by-Step: How to Move Your WordPress Site to a New Host

There are several ways to migrate WordPress, but we’ll focus on a manual method and mention plugin-based solutions. Here’s a straightforward approach to ensure zero or minimal downtime.

1. Prepare for the Move

a. Backup Your Website

Before you start, always create a full backup of your website. This includes:

  • WordPress files (themes, plugins, uploads)
  • WordPress database

You can use backup plugins or do it manually via a control panel like cPanel or FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

b. Choose Your New Host Carefully

Look for hosts offering:

  • Free migration services (some do!)
  • Good support
  • Compatibility with WordPress
  • Fast, reliable servers

2. Download Your WordPress Files

Use an FTP client (such as FileZilla) or your current hosting control panel to download all files in your website’s root directory—usually named public_html or www.

  • Download everything including .htaccess and hidden files.

3. Export Your WordPress Database

Go to your current host’s control panel (commonly cPanel) and open phpMyAdmin:

  1. Select your WordPress database.
  2. Click the “Export” tab.
  3. Choose “Quick” and SQL format.
  4. Click “Go” to download your database file.

4. Upload Files to the New Host

Connect to your new host using your FTP client or the control panel:

  • Upload all the files you backed up to the new server’s web root directory.
  • Make sure the folder structure is maintained.

5. Create a New Database on the New Host

Within your new hosting control panel:

  1. Create a new MySQL/MariaDB database.
  2. Set up a new database user and password.
  3. Give the user full privileges to the database.
  4. Take note of the database name, username, and password.

6. Import the Old Database

Go to phpMyAdmin at your new host:

  1. Select the new database you created.
  2. Click the “Import” tab.
  3. Choose the SQL file you exported earlier.
  4. Hit “Go” to upload your data.

7. Configure wp-config.php

Your WordPress configuration file (wp-config.php) needs to be updated to reflect the new database details.

  • Find the following lines and update them:

php
define('DB_NAME', 'new_database_name');
define('DB_USER', 'new_database_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_database_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

  • Save the changes and re-upload wp-config.php if needed.

8. Change Your Domain’s DNS

To point your domain to the new host:

  • Get the nameserver addresses from your new host.
  • Log into your domain registrar (where you registered your domain).
  • Update the nameservers to those provided by your new host.

DNS changes can take between a few hours up to 48 hours to propagate globally.

9. Test Your Website

Once the DNS changes have gone through:

  • Visit your domain.
  • Check all pages, posts, and features to ensure everything works.
  • Fix any broken links or missing images.

If you want to test before the DNS fully updates, modify your local hosts file to see the site from the new host without affecting global visitors.

10. Clean Up and Finalize

  • Reinstall plugins if needed and verify all settings.
  • Set up any email accounts with your new host.
  • Double-check performance and security settings.

Plugin-Powered Migration for WordPress

Don’t want to do it manually? Several plugins streamline the migration process:

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

With these, you can often create a package of your site, upload it to the new host, and run an installer script. This simplifies database updates and file transfers.

Potential Challenges and How to Avoid Them

Migrating a WordPress site can come with hurdles. Common issues include:

  • Downtime: Schedule moves during off-peak hours; keep your old site live during migration.
  • Broken Links/Paths: Update old URLs in the database if domain changes. Use plugins or search/replace tools.
  • Lost Data: Always double-check backups before and after the move.
  • Email Issues: Re-create mailboxes on the new host before DNS switch.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Migration

  • Always backup your site before and after migration.
  • Test, test, test—make sure everything works on the new host before going live.
  • If your new host offers free migration, don’t hesitate to take advantage.
  • Inform your users about planned downtime or changes, if necessary.
  • Keep both the old and new host active for a few days until the transition is stable.

Cost-Saving Tips

  • Some web hosts offer free WordPress migration. Check before you do it yourself.
  • Avoid paid plugins if the manual method works for you.
  • Move your site during times when you have fewer visitors to avoid loss of business.
  • Use free FTP clients like FileZilla and free backup plugins to minimize migration costs.

Benefits of Moving to a Better Host

  • Performance Boost: Faster loading times enhance user experience and SEO.
  • Better Security: More modern servers protect you from malware and hacking.
  • Scalability: Easily upgrade resources as your site grows.
  • Superior Support: Quicker fixes to any issues that arise.

Summary

Migrating your WordPress website to a new host can seem daunting, but it’s essentially a process of copying your files and database, reconfiguring your site, and pointing your domain to the new server. With careful preparation, reliable backups, and step-by-step execution, you can move your site with minimal or no downtime. Don’t forget to take advantage of plugins or migration services offered by premium hosts for an easier transition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I move my WordPress site to a new host without any downtime?

Yes, by keeping your old site live while setting up your new host, and only updating DNS after migration, you can avoid downtime.

2. Will my SEO be affected by moving to a new host?

If your domain stays the same and you avoid downtime, your SEO should remain unaffected. Make sure not to change URLs or delete content during migration.

3. What should I do if I see “Error establishing a database connection” after migration?

Double-check your wp-config.php file to ensure the database name, username, password, and host match what you set up on the new host.

4. How long does it take for DNS changes to propagate?

DNS changes typically take between a few hours and 48 hours. During this period, some visitors might see the old version while others see the new one.

5. Is it safe to delete my site from the old host after migration?

Only delete your old site after confirming the new site works perfectly and DNS has fully propagated. Always keep a final backup, just in case.

Moving your WordPress site is a big step, but with a thoughtful approach, it can be a positive, stress-free process that brings new benefits for your website and your audience. Happy migrating!

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