Thinking about moving your WordPress site to a new hosting provider? Whether you’re after better speed, improved security, or a more reliable service, switching hosts is a path many website owners eventually take.
But the process can feel daunting—no one wants to lose content or break their site in the move. That’s why understanding how to migrate WordPress safely is so crucial.
In this article, we’ll walk you through each step of a smooth migration, share essential tips, and help you make the transition with confidence.
How to Migrate WordPress to a New Hosting (A Complete Guide)
Moving your WordPress website to a new hosting provider may seem daunting, but it’s a straightforward process when broken down into manageable steps. Whether you’re looking for better performance, improved support, or lower costs, migrating your WordPress site doesn’t have to mean downtime or data loss. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide to ensuring a smooth migration with minimal stress.
Understanding WordPress Migration
Migrating your WordPress site means moving all your website’s files, content, themes, plugins, and database from your current hosting provider to a new one. This process ensures your website functions just as it did before, but now on the new server.
People choose to migrate their WordPress website for several reasons:
- To gain faster loading speeds or better uptime
- For superior technical support
- To save on hosting costs
- When scaling up due to increased website traffic
A good migration plan keeps your website live throughout the process, so visitors don’t experience downtime.
Step-by-Step Guide to Migrating Your WordPress Site
1. Prepare for Migration
Back Up Your Website
Before making any changes or moves, create a complete backup of your site. This acts as your safety net in case anything goes wrong.
- Use a trusted WordPress backup plugin for both your files and database.
- Download a copy of the backup to your computer as an extra precaution.
Choose Your New Host
If you haven’t already, pick a new hosting provider that meets your website’s needs in terms of speed, security, and scalability.
2. Move Your Website Files
Manual Transfer Method
- Connect to your current website host using an FTP client or through your hosting panel’s File Manager.
- Download all WordPress files, including core files, theme folders, plugins, and media uploads.
Using a Plugin
Many plugins are designed to simplify migration. They export your entire site as a single package, which you can upload to the new host.
Popular migration plugins include:
- Duplicator
- All-in-One WP Migration
- UpdraftPlus
3. Export Your WordPress Database
WordPress runs on a MySQL database. You need to export this to transfer your content and settings.
- Access phpMyAdmin from your current host’s control panel.
- Select your site’s database.
- Click ‘Export’ and choose the Quick method with SQL format.
4. Create a Database on New Host
- Log in to your new host’s control panel.
- Create a new, empty MySQL database, assign a user, and set a secure password.
- Note down the database name, user, and password.
5. Upload Site Files to the New Host
- Connect to your new host via FTP or File Manager.
- Upload all your previously downloaded WordPress files to the correct web directory (often /public_html/).
6. Import the Database
- Open phpMyAdmin on your new host.
- Select the new database.
- Click ‘Import’ and upload the SQL file you exported from your old host.
7. Update the wp-config.php File
Your wp-config.php file controls how WordPress connects to your database.
- Edit the file to reflect the new database name, user, and password.
- Save and re-upload the updated file to your new host.
8. Change DNS Settings
To make your domain point to your new hosting provider:
- Log in to your domain registrar.
- Update your domain’s nameservers to those provided by your new host.
- DNS changes may take up to 48 hours to propagate globally.
9. Test Your Website
Before considering the migration complete:
- Check if your site loads on the new host.
- Test links, forms, plugin functionality, and media.
- Ensure permalink structure is correct.
10. Final Clean-Up
After confirming your site works perfectly on the new hosting:
- Remove the website from your old host to avoid duplicate content issues.
- Monitor your site for any unexpected errors over the next few days.
Alternatives: Automated Migration Services
Many hosting providers understand that migration can be complex, so they offer free or paid migration services. These services are often quick and can eliminate technical headaches.
Advantages:
- Professional handling
- Reduced risk of errors
- Minimal downtime
Check if your new host provides this option—it can save you a great deal of time and effort.
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Migrating WordPress can involve several challenges. Here’s how to address the most common ones:
- Downtime: Plan your migration during low-traffic hours. Using a temporary domain or editing your computer’s hosts file lets you preview the site before going live.
- Broken Links: After migration, run a plugin like Better Search Replace to update old URLs in your database.
- Large File Sizes: If your website is very large, use plugins that support chunked uploads or ask your host for upload limit increases.
- Email Accounts: Set up or migrate any email accounts associated with your domain as these don’t move with your website files.
Practical Tips and Best Practices
- Always Create Full Backups: Both before and after migration.
- Check for WordPress Compatibility: Ensure your new host supports the same or newer PHP and MySQL versions as your old provider.
- Test Thoroughly: Don’t rush. Test every page, plugin, and form after migrating.
- Minimize Downtime: Only update your DNS after confirming your site works perfectly on the new host.
- Monitor Analytics: Watch your site’s performance and traffic closely after migration.
Cost Tips
- Migration Plugins: Many excellent plugins offer free basic migration. Premium versions may offer support for very large sites.
- Hosting Migration Services: Some hosts provide free migration, but others may charge a fee—compare costs before deciding.
- DIY Is Often Cheaper: Manual migration can be done at no cost, provided you have some technical confidence.
- Budget for Temporary Overlap: For a seamless transfer, it’s wise to maintain both old and new hosting for a short period. This overlap helps ensure minimal downtime and a buffer for troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to migrate a WordPress site?
Migrating a WordPress site can take a few hours for most small to medium sites, especially if you’re using an automated plugin. Larger or complex sites may need more time—sometimes up to a day, including thorough testing and DNS propagation.
Will my website experience downtime during migration?
You can avoid downtime by keeping your old hosting active until the migration is fully complete and your domain points to the new server. Using a temporary URL or editing your “hosts” file helps you verify the site on the new host before going live.
Do I need technical skills to migrate my WordPress site?
While tech skills help, many user-friendly migration plugins make the process easy for beginners. If you’re unsure, contacting your new hosting provider for assistance or using their migration service is a good idea.
What happens to my email accounts when I switch hosts?
Email accounts tied to your old hosting do not automatically transfer. You must set up email accounts with your new host and migrate any important emails, especially if you use webmail or host-based email services.
Can I migrate WordPress to a new domain at the same time?
Yes! The process is similar, except you’ll need to use a plugin or tool to update all references to your old domain in the database. This ensures internal links and media work correctly with your new domain name.
Conclusion
Migrating your WordPress website to a new hosting provider doesn’t have to be stressful. Planning ahead, following the right steps, and using the appropriate tools greatly reduce risks and downtime. Whether you choose to migrate manually or use a plugin, testing thoroughly is key to a smooth transition. With careful attention to detail, you’ll enjoy the benefits of your new host in no time!