How to move WordPress to new host

How to Move WordPress to a New Host

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Hey there, web hosting enthusiasts! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re ready to pack up your WordPress site and move it to a shiny new host. Maybe you’re chasing better performance, lower prices, or top-notch customer support—whatever the reason, migrating a WordPress site can feel like moving to a new house. It’s exciting but also a bit nerve-wracking, right? Don’t worry, I’ve got your back! In this guide, I’m going to walk you through the step-by-step process of moving your WordPress site to a new host without breaking a sweat (or your website). Let’s dive in!

Why Move Your WordPress Site to a New Host?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why you might want to switch hosts. The web hosting world is full of options, and sometimes your current host just isn’t cutting it. Maybe your site’s loading speed is slower than a snail on a coffee break, or you’re dealing with constant downtime. Perhaps you’ve found a host with better features—like free SSL certificates, one-click staging environments, or 24/7 support that actually answers your questions. Or maybe you’re just looking to save a few bucks. Whatever your reason, moving your WordPress site to a new host can breathe new life into your online presence.

But here’s the thing: WordPress migrations can seem daunting if you’ve never done one before. You’re probably wondering, “What if I mess up my site?” or “Will I lose my content?” Relax—I’m going to break this down into simple, manageable steps so you can move your site like a pro. Ready? Let’s do this!

Step 1: Choose Your New Host

First things first, you need a new hosting provider. If you haven’t picked one yet, take some time to research. Look for a host that aligns with your needs—whether it’s speed, security, scalability, or budget. Some popular WordPress-friendly hosts include SiteGround, Bluehost, WP Engine, and Kinsta. Check for features like:

  • WordPress optimization: Look for hosts that offer managed WordPress plans with features like automatic updates and caching.
  • Uptime guarantees: Aim for at least 99.9% uptime to keep your site accessible.
  • Support: 24/7 support via chat, phone, or email can be a lifesaver during migration.
  • Migration tools: Some hosts offer free migration services or plugins to make the process easier.

Once you’ve signed up for your new host, you’ll get access to your hosting dashboard (usually cPanel or a custom panel). Keep your login details handy—you’ll need them later!

Step 2: Back Up Your WordPress Site

Before you touch anything, back up your entire WordPress site. I can’t stress this enough. A backup is like an insurance policy—if something goes wrong during the migration, you can restore your site and pretend the whole thing never happened.

Here’s how to back up your WordPress site:

  1. Use a Backup Plugin: Plugins like UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or Duplicator are lifesavers. Install one, run a full backup (including your database and files), and download the backup file to your computer. UpdraftPlus, for example, lets you save backups to Google Drive, Dropbox, or your local machine.
  2. Manual Backup via cPanel: If your host uses cPanel, go to the “Files” section and use the Backup Wizard or File Manager to download your WordPress files (usually in the public_html folder). Then, head to phpMyAdmin to export your database as an SQL file.
  3. Check Your Backup: Make sure your backup includes all your WordPress files (wp-content, wp-admin, wp-includes) and your database. Double-check that the files are safely stored on your computer or cloud storage.

Pro tip: Create a second backup and store it somewhere else (like an external hard drive or a different cloud service). You can never be too careful!

Step 3: Export Your WordPress Database

Your WordPress site is made up of two main parts: the files (themes, plugins, media) and the database (posts, pages, comments, settings). To move your site, you’ll need to export the database from your old host.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Log in to your old host’s cPanel and find phpMyAdmin.
  2. Select your WordPress database from the list on the left (if you’re not sure which one it is, check your wp-config.php file for the database name).
  3. Click the “Export” tab, choose the “Quick” export method, and select SQL as the format.
  4. Hit “Go” to download the .sql file to your computer.

Keep this file safe—you’ll need it when setting up your site on the new host.

Step 4: Move Your WordPress Files

Now it’s time to grab all your WordPress files. These include your themes, plugins, uploads, and core WordPress files. You can transfer them using an FTP client like FileZilla or through cPanel’s File Manager.

Using FTP:

  1. Download and install an FTP client like FileZilla.
  2. Get your old host’s FTP credentials from their control panel (look for “FTP Accounts” or ask their support team).
  3. Connect to your old host using FileZilla and navigate to the folder containing your WordPress files (usually public_html or a subdirectory).
  4. Download the entire WordPress folder to your computer.

Using cPanel:

  1. Log in to your old host’s cPanel and open File Manager.
  2. Navigate to your WordPress installation folder.
  3. Select all files, compress them into a .zip file, and download the zip to your computer.

Step 5: Set Up Your New Host

Now, let’s get your new host ready to welcome your WordPress site. Most hosts make this part super easy with one-click WordPress installers, but since you’re migrating an existing site, you’ll need to set things up manually.

  1. Create a New Database: In your new host’s cPanel, go to “MySQL Databases” and create a new database. Note down the database name, username, and password—you’ll need these later.
  2. Upload Your Files: Use FileZilla or cPanel’s File Manager to upload your WordPress files to the new host’s public_html folder (or a subdirectory if you’re hosting multiple sites).
  3. Import Your Database: In the new host’s cPanel, open phpMyAdmin, select your new database, and click “Import.” Upload the .sql file you exported earlier and hit “Go.”

Step 6: Update the wp-config.php File

Your WordPress site needs to know where its new database lives. To do this, you’ll need to update the wp-config.php file.

  1. Open the wp-config.php file in your WordPress folder (use a text editor like Notepad++ or VS Code).
  2. Update the following lines with your new database details:define('DB_NAME', 'your_new_database_name'); define('DB_USER', 'your_new_database_username'); define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_new_database_password'); define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
  3. Save the file and upload it back to your new host.

Step 7: Update Your Domain’s DNS Settings

To point your domain to your new host, you’ll need to update your domain’s nameservers. This tells the internet where to find your website.

  1. Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
  2. Find the DNS or nameserver settings.
  3. Replace the old host’s nameservers with the new host’s nameservers (you can find these in your new host’s welcome email or control panel).
  4. Save the changes. DNS propagation can take 24-48 hours, so be patient!

Pro tip: If you want to test your site before updating the nameservers, you can edit your computer’s hosts file to temporarily point your domain to the new host. Google “edit hosts file” for your operating system to learn how.

Step 8: Test Your Site

Before you pop the champagne, test your site on the new host to make sure everything’s working. Check:

  • Homepage and inner pages: Do they load correctly?
  • Media files: Are your images and videos displaying properly?
  • Plugins and themes: Are they functioning as expected?
  • Forms and comments: Test contact forms and comment sections.

If you run into issues, double-check your wp-config.php file and database import. You might also need to update URLs in your database if your site is still pointing to the old host. Use a plugin like Better Search Replace to update URLs easily.

Step 9: Finalize the Migration

Once you’re happy with how your site looks on the new host, it’s time to wrap things up:

  • Clear caches: If you use a caching plugin like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache, clear the cache to ensure your site loads fresh content.
  • Set up redirects: If your site’s URL structure changed, set up 301 redirects to avoid broken links.
  • Update backups: Configure your backup plugin to save backups to your new host or cloud storage.
  • Notify search engines: Submit your updated sitemap to Google Search Console to help search engines crawl your site.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Migrating a WordPress site isn’t rocket science, but there are a few gotchas to watch out for:

  • Skipping the backup: Always, always, ALWAYS back up your site. No exceptions.
  • Forgetting to test: Don’t assume everything works—test thoroughly before pointing your domain to the new host.
  • Ignoring DNS propagation: It can take up to 48 hours for your domain to point to the new host, so don’t panic if things don’t change instantly.
  • Not updating URLs: If your site’s URLs still point to the old host, you’ll run into errors. Use a plugin or run a database query to fix them.

Bonus: Use a Migration Plugin for an Easier Move

If all this sounds like a lot of work, many hosts offer free migration services or plugins to simplify the process. For example:

  • All-in-One WP Migration: This plugin lets you export your entire site (files and database) and import it to your new host with a few clicks.
  • Duplicator: Similar to All-in-One WP Migration, Duplicator creates a package of your site that you can easily move to a new host.
  • Host-specific tools: Hosts like SiteGround and WP Engine often provide their own migration plugins or services.

Check with your new host to see if they offer a free migration service—some will handle the entire process for you!

Final Thoughts

And there you have it—a complete guide to moving your WordPress site to a new host! It might seem like a big task, but with a solid plan and a little patience, you’ll have your site up and running on its new home in no time. The key is to take it one step at a time, back up everything, and test thoroughly before making the switch official.

If you’re still feeling nervous, don’t hesitate to reach out to your new host’s support team—they’re usually happy to help. And if you’ve got any tips or tricks from your own WordPress migration adventures, drop them in the comments below—I’d love to hear about your experiences!

Happy hosting, and here’s to a faster, smoother, and happier WordPress site on your new host!