How to Migrate Your WordPress Site to a New Host

Introduction

Migrating a WordPress site to a new hosting provider can seem daunting, but with a careful plan, proper backups and systematic execution you can minimize downtime and avoid data loss. This comprehensive guide walks you through each stage—from initial preparation to post-migration tasks—ensuring a smooth transition.

1. Pre-Migration Planning

1.1 Evaluate Current Setup

• Site Size: Total disk usage, database size, and file count.
• Installed Plugins Themes: Compatibility requirements, custom code or server modules needed.
• Traffic Patterns: Peak hours to schedule migration during off-peak to reduce impact.

1.2 Choose a New Host

Select a host that meets or exceeds your current requirements. Key criteria:

Feature	Why It Matters
Disk Space Bandwidth	To accommodate growth and avoid overage fees.
Uptime Guarantee Support	Ensures reliability and prompt issue resolution.
Server Type (Shared, VPS, Cloud)	Performance and control requirements.

For more guidance, refer to the official WordPress hosting recommendations: WordPress.org Hosting.

2. Back Up Your Existing Site

Reliable backups are crucial. You need both the files and the database.

2.1 Back Up Files

1. Access your server via FTP/SFTP or SSH.
2. Download the entire WordPress directory (commonly public_html or www).
3. Ensure wp-content (themes, plugins, uploads) is fully captured.

2.2 Back Up Database

• Use phpMyAdmin or a similar tool: export the database as a .sql file.
• Or via SSH: mysqldump -u USERNAME -p DATABASE_NAME > backup.sql.

See the official guide: Backing Up Your Database.

3. Set Up the New Host Environment

3.1 Create a New Database

1. Log into the hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc.).
2. Create a MySQL database and user with a strong password.
3. Grant ALL PRIVILEGES to the user.

3.2 Upload WordPress Files

Transfer your site files:

• Via FTP/SFTP: upload the backup directory to public_html or designated root.
• Via SSH: scp -r local-folder user@newhost:/path/to/public_html.

4. Import the Database

4.1 Using phpMyAdmin

1. Open phpMyAdmin on the new host.
2. Select your new database, click Import, choose the backup.sql file.
3. Execute and monitor for errors.

4.2 Using MySQL CLI

mysql -u NEWUSER -p NEWDATABASE lt backup.sql

4.3 Update wp-config.php

• Edit wp-config.php to reflect the new DB_NAME, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD, and DB_HOST (often localhost).
• Ensure table_prefix matches your imported tables.

5. Update Domain and URLs

If your domain remains the same, skip to Section 6. Otherwise:

• In the database, update siteurl and home in the wp_options table:

UPDATE wp_options SET option_value=https://new-domain.com WHERE option_name IN (siteurl,home)

Alternatively, use the Better Search Replace plugin or WP-CLI to handle serialized data safely.

6. Test the New Site

• Modify your local hosts file to point the domain to the new server IP.
• Browse the site, verify pages, images, forms, and interactive elements.
• Check for broken links, missing images or plugin errors in the console and PHP logs.

7. Update DNS Records

1. Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel.
2. Change the A record to point to the new server IP.
3. Optionally update the TTL to a lower value (e.g., 300 seconds) before the switch to speed propagation.
4. Monitor propagation via WhatsMyDNS.

8. Post-Migration Checklist

• Reset TTL to original value after propagation.
• Reconfigure SSL certificate (Lets Encrypt or commercial cert).
• Flush caches (server, CDN, and plugin-level).
• Test forms, search, and third-party integrations.
• Review Google Analytics, Search Console and update any IP change in security plugins.

9. Troubleshooting Best Practices

Common Pitfalls

• Memory Limits: Increase PHP memory in php.ini if imports fail.
• Timeouts: Large imports may require raising max_execution_time.
• File Permissions: Ensure correct ownership and permissions (755 for folders, 644 for files).

Best Practices

• Perform migrations during low-traffic windows.
• Keep old hosting active for at least 48 hours until DNS fully propagates.
• Maintain an up-to-date backup strategy: daily database and weekly file backups.

Conclusion

Migrating your WordPress site to a new host need not be a stressful endeavor. With thorough preparation, reliable backups and a methodical approach you can complete the process with minimal disruption. For ongoing guidance, explore the official migration reference: Moving WordPress. Good luck with your migration!