How to Migrate WordPress Site to Another Hosting
Moving your WordPress website to a new host might sound like a nerve wracking task but trust me, it’s not as scary as it seems. Whether your current host is slow, expensive or unreliable, migrating your website to a better hosting provider can feel like a fresh start.
In this guide, I will walk you through exactly how to migrate WordPress site to another hosting step by step even if you are doing it for the first time. No coding, no stress just a smooth and safe transfer.
Why You Might Want to Migrate WordPress WebSite
Before we jump into the actual steps, let’s talk about why someone might want to migrate wordPress website to new host.
Here are a few common reasons:
- Slow performance: Your current hosting might be giving you poor loading times or downtime.
- Better features: Maybe another hosting offers free SSL, email, or better support.
- Pricing: Hosting costs can add up, sometimes switching gives you better value.
- Scalability: As your website grows you might need more powerful resources.
For example, when I first started my blog, I used a cheap shared hosting plan. It worked fine for a while but once traffic picked up, the website started lagging. So, I decided to migrate it to a more reliable host and the difference was night and day.
Now let’s move on to the main part how to do it the right way.
What is the difference between web hosting and website builder?
How to Migrate WordPress Site to Another Hosting (Step by Step)
There are a few best way to migrate WordPress website manually or using a plugin.
Here, I will show you both methods, starting with the easiest one using a plugin.
Method 1: WordPress Website Migration Plugin (Recommended for Beginners)
If you are not too technical, this is by far the easiest and safest way.
One of the most popular tools for this job is All in One WP Migration or Duplicator.
Let’s go through the process step by step.
Step 1: Backup Your WordPress WebSite
- First things always back up your website.
- A backup ensures that if something goes wrong during the migration, you can restore your website easily.
To do this:
- Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Go to Plugins and click on Add New.
- Search for All in One WP Migration and install it.
- Once activated, go to All in One WP Migration and click on Export.
- Choose Export to File and wait until the file is ready.
- Download the exported file to your computer.
That is your full WordPress backup files and database.
Step 2: Install WordPress on the New Hosting
Now log in to your new hosting account, Most hosting providers like Hostinger, Bluehost, or SiteGround offer a one click WordPress installer.
Go ahead and install WordPress on your new domain or hosting account.
You will now have a blank fresh WordPress installation.
Step 3: Install the Same Migration Plugin on the New Site
Once WordPress is installed:
- Log in to your new WordPress Dashboard.
- Go to Plugins & click Add New.
- Search and install All in One WP Migration Plugin again.
- This time go to All in One WP Migration and click Import.
Step 4: Import the Backup File
- Now upload the backup file you downloaded earlier
- It might take a few minutes, depending on the file size.
- Once done, the plugin will ask for confirmation to overwrite the database, click Proceed.
- After that your entire old website, pages, posts, themes, settings and everything will be restored on your new host.
Finally save your permalink settings by visiting:
Settings – Permalinks – Save Changes.
And that’s it your website is successfully migrated!
Step 5: Update Your Domain DNS
If your domain is registered with another company like GoDaddy or Namecheap you will need to point it to your new hosting nameservers.
Here is how:
- Log in to your domain registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap etc.
- Go to DNS settings.
- Replace the old nameservers with your new host’s nameservers, you will find them in your hosting dashboard.
- Save the changes.
DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours, so don’t worry if your website doesn’t appear instantly on the new host.
Step 6: Test Everything
Once the DNS is updated, visit your website and check if everything works fine.
Click through pages, test forms, and make sure your links, images, and design are all showing correctly.
If something looks off, clear your browser and WordPress cache.
And congratulations you have successfully migrated your WordPress website!
Method 2: How to Migrate WordPress Website Manually (For Advanced Users)
If you prefer a hands on approach, you can migrate your website manually. It’s not too hard but it does require a bit more attention.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Download Your Website Files via cPanel
- Log in to your old hosting cPanel.
- Open File Manager, public_html or your website’s root folder.
- Select all files and click Compress and Download.
This gives you a zip file of your entire website.
Step 2: Export the Database
- In your old hosting cPanel, go to phpMyAdmin.
- Select your WordPress database.
- Click on Export, Quick and Go.
- Save the .sql file on your computer.
Step 3: Upload Files to New Hosting
- Log in to your new hosting cPanel.
- Open File Manager and public_html.
- Upload the zip file you downloaded earlier.
- Extract it.
Step 4: Import the Database
- Go to phpMyAdmin in your new hosting.
- Create a new database and a user with full privileges.
- Select the new database and click Import.
- Choose your .sql file and upload it.
Step 5: Update wp-config.php
Now, in the File Manager, open your wp-config.php file and update these lines:
define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘your_new_database_name’);
define(‘DB_USER’, ‘your_new_database_user’);
define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘your_new_database_password’);
define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’);
Save changes.
Step 6: Update Domain DNS
Just like before, update your domain’s DNS settings to point to the new host.
Once propagation is complete, your website will be live from the new hosting server.
Pro Tips: How to Migrate WordPress Site from One Host to Another
- Take multiple backups before you start. It’s always better to be safe.
- Disable caching or security plugins before exporting to avoid migration conflicts.
- Check your SSL certificate after migration. You might need to reissue it on your new host.
- Test on a temporary domain or staging website if your new host offers it.
- Verify performance using tools like GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights.
- A few minutes of careful testing can save you hours of troubleshooting later.
Conclusion: How to Migrate a WordPress Website
Migrating a WordPress site to another hosting might seem technical at first, but once you understand the steps, it’s actually quite simple.
Whether you use a plugin or go manual, the most important things are backups, patience, and testing. Once your website is live on the new host, you will enjoy better performance, improved reliability, and possibly even save some money.
So next time someone asks you how to migrate WordPress site to another hosting you wil know exactly what to do, confidently and smoothly.
If you found this guide helpful drop a comment below I would love to hear how your migration went or which plugin worked best for you.
FAQs About How to Migrate WordPress Site to Another Hosting
How to migrate wordPress site to another host without downtime?
Yes! If you use a plugin like All in One WP Migration or Duplicator, you can transfer your website with almost zero downtime. Just update your DNS after migration and test the site before switching.
How long does it take to migrate a WordPress site?
It usually takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on your website’s size and hosting speed. Larger websites with heavy media files may take longer.
What is the safest way to migrate WordPress site to another hosting?
The safest and easiest method is by using a migration plugin, It handles the database and files automatically, minimizing the risk of missing anything important. Always take a full backup before starting.
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