You’ve spent hours perfecting your WordPress site—now, it’s time to share it with the world. But how do you get your site from your computer to a live platform like GoDaddy?
Learning how to upload WordPress to GoDaddy unlocks the door to reaching a bigger audience and growing your online presence.
In this guide, you’ll find simple, step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to make your website launch smooth and stress-free.
Related Video
How to Upload WordPress to GoDaddy: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Setting up your WordPress website on GoDaddy is a crucial step for getting your site live to the world. Whether you’re building a blog, launching an online store, or creating a portfolio, GoDaddy is a popular choice for web hosting thanks to its user-friendly interface, affordable plans, and reliable performance. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly how to upload WordPress to GoDaddy, understand your options, and discover practical tips to ensure your setup goes smoothly.
Understanding the Process: What Does “Upload WordPress” Mean?
When people refer to “uploading WordPress to GoDaddy,” they usually mean one of two things:
- Installing a fresh WordPress site on GoDaddy hosting.
- Migrating an existing WordPress site (including themes, plugins, posts, pages, and media) to your GoDaddy hosting account.
Both processes involve several steps, but you don’t need to be a tech expert to get started. GoDaddy offers tools that simplify the installation and migration, even for beginners.
How to Install a New WordPress Site on GoDaddy
If you’re starting from scratch, installing a new WordPress site on GoDaddy is quick and easy. Here’s the step-by-step process:
1. Sign Up and Choose Your GoDaddy Hosting Plan
- Go to your GoDaddy account dashboard.
- Select a hosting plan that fits your needs (Shared, WordPress, or cPanel hosting).
- Complete your purchase and set up your domain name.
2. Access Your Hosting Control Panel
- Once your hosting plan is active, access your control panel (cPanel or GoDaddy’s custom dashboard).
- Find the section labeled “Web Applications” or “WordPress.”
3. Use GoDaddy’s One-Click WordPress Installer
- Click on the WordPress install icon.
- Tap “Install This Application” or “New Site.”
- Choose your domain name from the dropdown menu.
- Fill in your desired admin username, password, and email.
- Select the directory (leave it blank if you want WordPress at the main domain).
- Click “Install” and wait a few moments for GoDaddy to set up WordPress.
4. Access Your New WordPress Site
- Once installed, GoDaddy will provide a link to your new WordPress admin login (usually www.yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
- Log in with your credentials, and you’re ready to start customizing your website!
How to Migrate an Existing WordPress Site to GoDaddy
If you’ve already built your site elsewhere and want to move it to GoDaddy, follow these steps:
1. Prepare Your Site for Migration
- Backup all files and your database using a plugin like All-in-One WP Migration, Duplicator, or manually via your hosting.
- Export your WordPress content (posts, pages, media) and note your themes and plugins for reinstallation.
2. Set Up WordPress on Your GoDaddy Account
- Follow the one-click install steps above to create a blank WordPress installation.
3. Upload Your Website Files
You have two main methods:
a) Using a Migration Plugin (Recommended)
- Install your migration plugin (like All-in-One WP Migration) on both your original and new WordPress site.
- Export your website from the original site.
- Import the file into your GoDaddy WordPress installation.
b) Manual Migration
- Use an FTP client (such as FileZilla) or GoDaddy’s File Manager to upload your site files to the ‘public_html’ directory.
- Import your database using phpMyAdmin in cPanel.
- Edit the
wp-config.phpfile with your new database details.
4. Update Domain Settings
- Point your domain name to your GoDaddy hosting by updating the DNS settings (if it’s registered elsewhere).
- Wait for DNS propagation (may take up to 48 hours).
5. Test Your Site
- Visit your domain and ensure everything works.
- Check for missing images, broken links, or plugin issues.
Key Benefits of Using GoDaddy for WordPress Hosting
- Convenient One-Click Installation: No technical skills required to set up WordPress.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Help is available whenever you need it.
- Free Domain Offers: Many hosting plans include a domain name for free.
- Automatic Backups: Easy restoration if something goes wrong.
- Optimized for Speed: GoDaddy’s servers are tuned for WordPress.
Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them
Even though GoDaddy makes WordPress setup easy, you might encounter a few hurdles:
- File Upload Limits: Sometimes WordPress or GoDaddy limits the size of uploads, affecting larger sites. You can increase it in
php.inior through GoDaddy support. - Plugin Conflicts: After migration, some plugins may not work as expected. Update all plugins or reinstall as needed.
- Emails Not Sending: Transactional emails (like password resets) may get blocked; consider using an SMTP plugin.
- Slow DNS Propagation: Changing domain settings may cause delays; be patient and clear your browser cache.
Tip: Test your site thoroughly after migration. Use different devices and browsers to ensure everything works.
Tips and Best Practices for a Smooth WordPress Upload
- Backup Everything: Always make a complete backup before starting.
- Keep Plugins and Themes Updated: Outdated software can cause security and compatibility issues.
- Secure Your Site: Enable SSL (Let’s Encrypt or GoDaddy SSL) to protect your visitors and boost SEO.
- Optimize for Performance: Install performance plugins like caching or image optimizers to enhance speed.
- Regular Maintenance: Schedule periodic updates and backups within GoDaddy.
Cost Tips: How to Save Money When Using GoDaddy
- Take Advantage of Promotions: GoDaddy often offers discounts on hosting, domains, and SSL certificates.
- Bundle Services: Purchasing domain and hosting together may reduce costs.
- Use Free Migration Tools: Avoid paid migration services by using reliable free plugins.
- Watch Out for Renewal Rates: Introductory pricing is lower than renewal fees—budget accordingly.
- Select Only What You Need: Avoid unnecessary add-ons during checkout; you can often add features later.
Additional Aspects to Consider
- Theme Installation: After uploading or installing WordPress, browse and install themes through the WordPress dashboard’s Appearance > Themes section.
- Plugin Management: Enhance functionality by installing plugins, but don’t overload your site with too many.
- Staging Sites: GoDaddy offers staging environments on some plans. Use these to test changes before going live.
- Site Monitoring: Utilize GoDaddy’s tools or external services to keep tabs on uptime and performance.
Conclusion
Uploading WordPress to GoDaddy—and getting your site up and running—doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With GoDaddy’s user-friendly tools, even beginners can enjoy a streamlined setup or migration process. From choosing your hosting plan to testing your finished site, every step can be completed with minimal fuss. Remember to backup, test thoroughly, and use available support to tackle any challenges.
Whether you’re starting a brand new website or moving an established one, GoDaddy and WordPress make a powerful duo for your online presence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it better to use GoDaddy’s one-click WordPress install or do it manually?
For most users, GoDaddy’s one-click install is the fastest and easiest way to get started. Manual installation is only necessary if you have special requirements or enjoy more control over the process.
2. Can I migrate my WordPress site to GoDaddy without any downtime?
Yes, with careful planning, you can prevent downtime. Set up your new site on GoDaddy using a temporary domain or preview link, test everything, and only then point your domain to GoDaddy.
3. What should I do if my site looks broken after migration?
Common issues include missing images or broken links. Re-save your permalink settings in WordPress, re-upload any missing files, and ensure your URLs point to the correct domain.
4. Does GoDaddy provide free SSL certificates for WordPress sites?
Many GoDaddy hosting plans come with free SSL for at least the first year. You can also install Let’s Encrypt SSL if your plan supports it.
5. How do I access my WordPress admin dashboard after setting up on GoDaddy?
Once installed, you can access your dashboard by visiting www.yourdomain.com/wp-admin and using the username and password set during WordPress installation.