One of the most common tasks for website owners, transferring a WordPress website may be necessary because of performance, security, or customer support. Whether upgrading to a superior hosting provider, consolidating websites on a multisite network, proper planning and execution are crucial to avoid downtime and data loss.
Otherwise, the results of this poorly executed migration could be things like broken links, lost data, or prolonged downtime affecting your business operations. Thus, learning what steps have to be followed and where errors can be found is quite handy. The migration process will then be described thoroughly, step by step.
In addition, WordPress customers have to concern themselves with plugin compatibility, integrity of the database, and SEO consequences that a migration may bring about. While it may appear daunting, an efficient approach simplifies the migration process to painless and at least stressful. For moving your WordPress site with few disruptions, a structured approach may go this way.
Preparing the Migration
When migrating your WordPress website, you will want a strong and dependable hosting solution to be in place. Rocon is a managed WordPress hosting that is built and optimized for smooth migrations in performance and security. Whether you move from shared hosting or another provider of managed WordPress, Rocon makes this much easier by giving you automatic backups, free SSL, and native scalability.
By choosing the right hosting provider, such as Rocon, you ensure that the migration is going to be stable and efficient, maintaining the extraordinary speed, security, and ease of use.
1. Choose a New Hosting Provider
Before you are able to transfer your website, you need to make sure you have chosen a reliable hosting provider that can handle your demands based on performance, scalability, security, and support.
Some popular hosting providers for WordPress include:
Rocon: optimized for seamless WordPress migration and performance
SiteGround
Bluehost
WP Engine
Kinsta
A2 Hosting
Compare the features, pricing, and customer support to make your final decision.
2. Backup Your WordPress Website
The full backup of your website is essential to avoid data loss during migration. There are two major ways to backup a site:
Manual Backup
Download all website files using cPanel File Manager or FTP.
Export the database with phpMyAdmin.
Using a Backup Plugin
Some popular WordPress backup plugins include:
UpdraftPlus
Duplicator
All-in-One WP Migration
BackupBuddy
These plugins allow you to create a backup file that can be restored on the new host.
Once your backup is ready, upload your website files to the new hosting provider.
Log in to your new host’s cPanel.
Navigate to File Manager > public_html.
Upload your WordPress files (ZIP format) and extract them.
Connect to the new host using FileZilla or Cyberduck.
Transfer all WordPress files to the public_html directory.
Your website’s database contains all posts, pages, comments, and settings. Follow these steps to transfer it:
Access phpMyAdmin on the old host.
Select your WordPress database.
Click Export > Quick Export > SQL format.
Open phpMyAdmin on the new host.
Create a new database and user.
Select Import and upload the previously exported SQL file.
To connect the new database with your WordPress installation:
Locate the wp-config.php file in your WordPress directory.
Edit the following lines with new database credentials:
define('DB_NAME', 'new_database_name');
define('DB_USER', 'new_database_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_database_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
Save and upload the file to the server.
Transferring a website is only part of the process; ensuring a smooth transition is equally important. Once your website is migrated, updating the DNS settings is critical to direct traffic to the new host. Without proper DNS configuration, visitors may still be directed to the old server, leading to inconsistencies and potential downtime.
Additionally, using tools like DNS Propagation Checkers can help verify whether the updated nameservers have propagated globally. This is essential to avoid disruptions and ensure that users are accessing the correct version of your website.
Finally, consider keeping the old hosting account active for a few days post-migration as a precautionary measure. This can act as a backup in case of unforeseen issues, providing an extra layer of security during the transition.
Once your website is live on the new host, it’s essential to secure it against potential vulnerabilities. Update all security plugins, enable two-factor authentication for admin accounts, and set up automatic backups to ensure data safety. Additionally, verify that SSL certificates are correctly installed and working to maintain a secure connection.
After migration, optimize your website by enabling caching, using a CDN, and compressing images. These improvements help maintain fast loading times and enhance the user experience. Ensure that your hosting provider offers good uptime and minimal latency to support smooth website operation.
A successful migration involves more than just moving files and databases. Ensure that SEO elements, including metadata, redirects, and structured data, are properly migrated. Test website indexing through Google Search Console and verify that all internal links function correctly to maintain search engine rankings.
To point your domain to the new hosting provider:
Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare).
Find the DNS settings.
Update the Nameservers to the new hosting provider’s nameservers.
Wait for DNS propagation (can take up to 48 hours).
Once the DNS changes take effect:
Visit your website and ensure everything loads correctly.
Test links, forms, and interactive elements.
Clear cache and refresh your website.
If you changed URLs during the transfer, set up 301 redirects to prevent broken links and SEO issues.
Add redirects in the .htaccess file.
Redirect 301 /old-page-url https://yourdomain.com/new-page-url
Use a plugin like Redirection to manage redirects.
Use tools like GTmetrix, Google PageSpeed Insights, and Pingdom to test page speed.
Optimize images and enable caching if needed.
Check WordPress Debug Mode (wp-config.php) for error logs.
Review Google Search Console for indexing errors.
Ensure permalinks work correctly by going to Settings > Permalinks > Save Changes.
Once the new site is confirmed to be working properly, cancel your old hosting plan to avoid unnecessary charges.
If you prefer an easier approach, use a WordPress migration plugin like:
All-in-One WP Migration (best for simple migrations)
Duplicator (great for moving large websites)
Migrate Guru (ideal for complex migrations)
WPVivid Backup & Migration (useful for staging and cloning sites)
Rocon Migration Tool (seamless migration for managed WordPress hosting)
These plugins automate most of the migration process and minimize manual work. Rocon, in particular, is optimized for managed WordPress hosting, offering a seamless experience for users migrating their sites without data loss or downtime.
To use a migration plugin:
Install and activate the plugin on your WordPress site.
Generate a full backup of your website, including files and database.
Download the backup and upload it to the new host.
Use the plugin’s built-in restoration tool to complete the migration.
Plugins like Rocon Migration Tool and Duplicator provide step-by-step guidance, ensuring that even non-technical users can transfer their WordPress websites with ease.
If you prefer an easier approach, use a WordPress migration plugin like:
All-in-One WP Migration (best for simple migrations)
Duplicator (great for moving large websites)
Migrate Guru (ideal for complex migrations)
WPVivid Backup & Migration (useful for staging and cloning sites)
These plugins automate most of the migration process and minimize manual work.
transfer wordpress website to new host is a technical but manageable process if approached correctly. By preparing in advance, choosing the right method, and following a structured step-by-step approach, you can minimize downtime and potential issues. Whether you opt for a manual migration or a plugin-based transfer, ensuring the integrity of your website files and database is crucial.
Another important aspect is post-migration monitoring. Even after a successful transfer, keep an eye on website performance, test for broken links, and address any unforeseen issues. Regular maintenance and updates help prevent long-term problems and improve the overall user experience.
Lastly, don't hesitate to reach out to your new hosting provider’s support team if you encounter any technical difficulties. Many hosts offer migration assistance and troubleshooting services, which can be invaluable during the transition. With proper execution and monitoring, your website can enjoy improved stability, security, and performance on its new hosting environment.
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