Ever needed to move your WordPress content somewhere else or create a backup just in case? Exporting your site can sound daunting, especially if you’re unsure where to start. Knowing how to export WordPress quickly and safely is essential for switching hosts, redesigning, or simply safeguarding your posts and pages.
In this article, you’ll discover straightforward steps to export your WordPress site with ease, plus practical tips to ensure nothing important gets left behind.
Related Video
Understanding How to Export a WordPress Site
Exporting your WordPress site is a useful—and sometimes necessary—task, whether you’re moving to a new host, creating backups, or just want to migrate your posts and pages. WordPress makes this process flexible, and with a little guidance, you’ll be able to export your content smoothly and efficiently.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly how to export your WordPress site content, discover why and when you should do it, and find some handy tips to keep the whole operation hassle-free.
What Does Exporting a WordPress Site Mean?
Exporting a WordPress site is the process of creating a downloadable file containing your website data. This file can be used to:
- Transfer your WordPress content to another site or hosting provider.
- Create a comprehensive backup before making significant changes.
- Move specific content (like posts or pages) to another WordPress site.
The exported data usually comes in an XML format, but other export methods can grab your media files, databases, themes, plugins, and more.
Different Ways to Export WordPress Content
Exporting your WordPress site can mean exporting the entire site or just specific parts. Here are the main methods:
1. Using the Built-in WordPress Export Tool
WordPress offers a built-in export tool that allows you to download your content easily.
Step-by-Step: Exporting Content with the WordPress Tool
- Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Go to the menu on the left and click on Tools > Export.
- Choose what you want to export:
- All content: Posts, pages, comments, custom fields, categories, and more.
- Posts: Only blog posts, filtered by author, date, or category if needed.
- Pages: Only the static pages.
- Media: Download your images and media files, filtered by date.
- Click the Download Export File button.
- An XML file will be saved to your computer. This file can later be imported into another WordPress site.
2. Exporting Your Entire WordPress Site (Files and Database)
If you need a complete copy—files, themes, plugins, and the database—you’ll need to go beyond the built-in export tool.
Step-by-Step: Full Site Export
- Access Your Hosting Panel (like cPanel or a file manager).
- Download all website files from the web server.
- Export your database using phpMyAdmin or your host’s database management tool:
- Select your WordPress database.
- Use the “Export” function to download an SQL file.
This method is ideal for migrating your entire site to a new server or making a total backup.
3. Using Plugins for Advanced Export Options
There are plugins designed to streamline and customize the export process. These tools can:
- Export specific custom post types, WooCommerce products, users, or settings.
- Clone an entire site for easy migrations.
- Schedule automatic exports for ongoing backups.
Some popular plugins you might find helpful include:
- All-in-One WP Migration
- WP Migrate
- UpdraftPlus (for backups and migration)
- Export any WordPress data to XML/CSV
4. Exporting Specific Data (Posts, Pages, Media, etc.)
Sometimes, you might want to export just your posts, media library, or user data. The standard export tool supports this, but specialized plugins can give you even more granular control.
It’s handy if you only want to move certain content and not the whole site.
Benefits of Exporting Your WordPress Site
Why go through the trouble of exporting your site? There are plenty of good reasons:
- Easy Migration: Move your content to a new domain or hosting provider.
- Backups: Keep safe copies of your data to avoid accidental loss.
- Testing: Duplicate your site in a staging environment before major changes.
- Content Reuse: Repurpose old blog posts on new projects.
- Website Redesign: Export and re-import content into a fresh new website design.
Challenges and Common Issues
Exporting a WordPress site is mostly straightforward, but certain challenges may pop up.
What to Watch Out For
- Large Sites: The export file might become too large for easy uploading or importing.
- Media Files Not Included: The XML file usually contains only references to images—not the images themselves. You’ll need to move the actual files separately.
- Theme and Plugin Settings: These are usually not included in basic exports.
- Broken Links: If you don’t move your media files properly, images or downloads may break.
Troubleshooting Tips
- If your export fails or the file is too big, try filtering by content type, date, or author to split the export into manageable parts.
- Plugins can help package everything, including uploads, themes, and database, into a single file.
- Double-check that your exported data includes everything you need before deleting your original site.
Best Practices and Practical Tips
Here are some expert tips to make the export process as smooth as possible:
1. Backup Before Exporting
Always create a full backup of your site before starting, just in case something goes wrong during export or import.
2. Check Your Export File
After exporting, open the XML or archive file and make sure the data is present. This helps catch issues early.
3. Export in Batches for Large Sites
For very large sites, export smaller sets by filtering date, category, or author.
4. Mind Your Permalinks
When importing to a new site, set your permalink structure first to match the old one. This helps prevent broken internal links.
5. Remember Media Files
If you move sites, WordPress will try to fetch images from your old site during import. Ensure the old site’s media files are accessible.
6. Keep Plugin Versions Updated
If you’re using plugins for export, update both the source and destination sites for compatibility.
7. Know What Gets Exported
Understand that the basic export tool won’t include certain things, like widget settings, user roles, or plugin data. Consider other solutions or plugins if you need these.
Should You Pay for Export Tools or Stick with Free Options?
For most basic export needs, WordPress’s free tools are sufficient. However, for complex migrations, scheduled backups, or bulk actions, premium plugins might be worth the investment.
Cost-saving Tips
- Use the built-in export tool for simple content transfers.
- Many free plugins have “lite” versions that cover most basic export/migration needs.
- Only invest in a premium plugin if you need to migrate a very large or complex site with custom post types, settings, or frequent scheduled exports.
If you’re exporting to another host, some companies will even migrate your site for free or at a low cost—worth checking before you start!
Quick Reference: Exporting Content vs. Exporting a Site
| Task | Tool | What Gets Exported |
|---|---|---|
| Content Only (Posts, Pages, Media) | WordPress Export Tool | Posts, pages, custom post types, media references |
| Full Site (Files + Database) | FTP + phpMyAdmin or Full-site Export Plugin | Themes, plugins, database, uploads, entire site |
| Custom Exports (Users, Settings) | Specialized Plugins (e.g., All-in-One WP Migration) | Chosen data types, settings, custom fields |
Conclusion
Exporting your WordPress site doesn’t have to be intimidating. Whether you’re a novice migrating your first blog, a business safeguarding your digital assets, or a developer handling client sites, WordPress’s export options offer flexibility and control.
With careful planning, smart use of tools, and attention to detail, you can efficiently move, back up, or duplicate your site and its content. Remember to back up everything first, test your exports, and choose the right method for your needs. This proactive approach keeps your WordPress journey safe, flexible, and stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I export all my WordPress posts and pages?
Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Tools > Export, select “All Content”, and download the generated XML file. This file will include all your posts and pages for import elsewhere.
Can I export my WordPress media library?
The standard export tool exports references to your media files, not the actual files. For a full export, use the “Media” option in Tools > Export or consider using plugins or manually downloading your wp-content/uploads directory via FTP or your hosting file manager.
Will exporting my site include my theme and plugins?
The default export only includes content, not your theme or plugins. To export everything—including themes, plugins, and settings—use a migration plugin or manually download your site files and database.
What if my export file is too big to import?
For large sites, split your export into smaller chunks by filtering by content type, author, or dates. Alternatively, use advanced migration plugins that handle large sites by bypassing default upload limits.
Do I need to pay for exporting my WordPress site?
Exporting using built-in tools is free. However, advanced needs—like exporting the entire site, scheduling exports, or handling very large or complex sites—may require paid plugins or professional migration services. Always check with your new host; some offer migration as part of their hosting package.
By following these steps, best practices, and advice, exporting your WordPress site can be a seamless and stress-free process.