How To Transfer Your WordPress Blog

Learning how to transfer your WordPress blog might one day be useful for several reasons. Maybe you’re switching to a new web hosting provider, rebranding, changing your domain name, or reorganizing your site structure.

Transferring your WordPress blog, however, involves more than just moving files and databases. Luckily, WordPress offers a built-in import and export tool to help transfer content.

This guide breaks down the WordPress migration into manageable steps, from backing up your site to post-migration checks. By the end, you’ll learn how to transfer your site without data loss.

Let’s get started!

How to safely back up your WordPress blog

Backing up your WordPress site is one of the first steps in any migration process. Without a backup, you risk losing vital data if something goes wrong.

To back up your site the right way, you’ll need to save two main components:

WordPress files. These include themes, plugins, media files, and all the core site files.

Database. This contains your WordPress content, user data, settings, and all the critical information that makes up your website.

5 methods for backing up your WordPress site

There are five common ways to back up your website.

Use WordPress plugins

WordPress plugins are an excellent way to back up your site without much hassle. Popular options include UpdraftPlus, Duplicator, Jetpack Backups, and BackupBuddy. Each offers straightforward tools to protect your WordPress website data.

Pro Tip: When selecting a plugin, look for features like easy setup, reliable restore options, and user-friendly interfaces.

Back up via the cPanel dashboard

Most hosting providers typically grant access to cPanel, a control panel for managing your website. Through cPanel, you can create website backups, organize your files, modify domain settings, and more. It’s a convenient way to save your site data, mainly if your WordPress host includes this feature in your plan.

Back up your files using FTP

For situations where you can’t access your WordPress dashboard or cPanel, you can use an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to back up your site. FTP clients like FileZilla, CyberDuck, and ClassicFTP let you connect to your server and download your site’s files and database.

Unlike some backup plugins that may compress it into custom formats, FTP gives you complete access to your site’s raw data.

Back up your WordPress database with phpMyAdmin

After saving all the files, don’t forget to back up your database. You can use phpMyAdmin, a web-based application designed to manage MySQL and MariaDB databases, which are commonly used by WordPress. Its graphical interface (GUI) makes exporting your database much easier than using command-line tools.

Use backup tools provided by your hosting provider

You can use these tools to set up automated daily backups or create backups manually at your convenience. On top of that, backups are typically stored off-site. This adds extra protection for your website data.

3 ways to migrate your WordPress blog

Migrating your WordPress blog can seem overwhelming, but there are many ways to get the job done without breaking a sweat. Let’s break down the three main options.

Perform manual migration

If you want complete control of the migration process and have some technical knowledge, you can transfer your WordPress blog manually. Here’s how:

Step 1: Transfer your website files

Start by downloading your website files to your computer with an FTP client, such as FileZilla.

After downloading, upload these files to the new server or hosting environment.

Step 2: Export your website database via phpMyAdmin

Access the wp-config.php file.

Select the database name you want to download.

Open the database, then export it as a SQL file.

Step 3: Set up a new database on the new server

To move your WordPress site, you must create a new database on the new server. This is where you’ll import your saved SQL database with all your website content and settings. Depending on your hosting company, there are two common ways to do this.

Method 1: Using cPanel

Find and select the MySQL Databases icon.

In the Create New Database field, input the name of your site’s database.

Click Create Database.

Method 2: Using phpMyAdmin

Open phpMyAdmin through your hosting control panel or directly via a login link.

Click on the Database tab, which lists all existing databases and allows you to create a new one.

Type in the name of your new database in the field provided.

Click Create to finish.

Step 4: Import into the new database

Now that your new database is ready, it’s time to move your saved and original data into it. To do this:

Open phpMyAdmin on the new server.

Select the database you generated earlier.

Navigate to the Import tab.

Click Browse and find the SQL backup file saved on your computer.

Once selected, click Go to start the import process.

Step 5: Update the wp-config.php file to match the new database credentials

The wp-config.php file is what connects your WordPress site to its database. Since you’re working with a new database, you’ll need to update this file with the new details. Here’s what to do:

Open your hosting’s File Manager or use an FTP client to locate the wp-config.php file in your WordPress site’s main directory.

Edit the file to replace the old database name, username, and password with the details for the new database.

After making the necessary updates, click the Save Changes button.

Step 6: Update URLs

If you’ve switched to a new domain, you need to update all links in your site that still reference the old domain.

For example, if your old site was at oldsite.com and your new one is newsite.com, you’ll need to replace all mentions of oldsite.com in your database with newsite.com. This way, images and other internal URLs will be directed to the correct place on your new site. However, you can skip this step if you’re not changing your domain.

Here’s how to update your URL references:

Option 1: Using a script

Tools like Search Replace DB script can do the trick if you need to update your site’s URL references. It’s a quick two-step process: just upload it to your server via FTP and run it through your browser.

But here’s a tip: don’t forget to delete the script once you’re done! It’s a simple step to avoid any potential security risks and keep your site safe.

Option 2: Using a plugin

If you’re looking for an easier approach, install WordPress plugin Better Search Replace. It’s a popular tool that lets you see exactly what changes are made during a search and replace process.

Use a plugin for migration

Moving a WordPress site is no walk in the park, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the technical aspects. Luckily, in recent years, there’s been a rise in user-friendly migration plugins that make the whole process a lot easier.

So, why use a migration plugin?

First off, plugins handle all aspects of the migration and reduce the complexity and time required to move large websites. Plus, most plugins also include backup and recovery services.

Here are some of the top migration plugins you can use:

Duplicator. It’s widely regarded as one of the best migration plugins available. With just a few clicks, you can move your entire WordPress site, including all files, plugins, themes, and content. Duplicator also supports automated scheduled backups and smart migrations.

All-in-One WP Migration. Known for its user-friendly interface, All-in-One WP Migration creates a compressed backup of your site. With this feature, it’s easy to migrate even large websites.

WP Migrate Lite. WP Migrate Lite is also a good choice if you need to export all the files necessary to recreate your WordPress site in a different environment.

WPvivid. This plugin also offers automated and manual migration options.

Use hosting provider migration services

Hosting providers can often assist when you transfer your WordPress site to a new web host. Many even offer free migration services—a great bonus if you’re signing up for a new plan. They’ll take care of moving your files, database, and settings.

Not all hosting providers deliver the same quality of migration service. As such, it’s worth doing a little research to find a host that fits your needs. Before signing up, ask about their migration services.

Is the service free, or do they charge a fee?

Will they transfer the entire site or just parts of it?

How long does the migration usually take?

Will they provide security features, including SSL certificates, malware protection, and regular backups?

What to do after migrating your WordPress blog

To ensure everything runs smoothly for your visitors and your site performs at its best, there are a few critical post-migration steps to complete.

Update DNS to point to your new host

Once your WordPress site is successfully migrated, there’s one more step to ensure visitors land on the new server: updating your DNS (Domain Name System) settings.

DNS links your domain name to the server hosting your site by translating it into an IP address. To direct visitors to your new location, you’ll need to update it.

Here’s a general process:

Find the DNS settings or domain management section. Look for an option to update the nameservers or DNS records.

Update the nameservers.

Save your changes.

Wait up to 48 hours for the DNS to update and point to your new host.

Just be aware that the procedures may differ depending on where you register your domain. Most registrars provide detailed instructions on their websites, so simply search for the DNS update guide specific to your provider and follow their steps.

Test your site

Once the DNS changes have had time to settle in, it’s time to give your site a thorough check. Here’s what to look out for:

Your website loads properly.

Your blog is accessible to visitors.

All navigation elements, like menus and links, are working correctly and leading the visitors to the right pages.

Your installed WordPress plugins are functioning smoothly and are fully compatible with the new environment.

Graphics, photos, and media are displayed correctly.

Site content and formatting are appropriately rendered, including headings, paragraphs, and lists.

Your page loads quickly and meets speed standards.

The server response time is quick and without any noticeable delays.

Database performance is running smoothly.

The SSL certificate is active and protects your site.

User role permissions are set up correctly.

Security features are in place and functioning as expected.

The site is responsive and displays properly on mobile devices.

Address common post-migration issues

After migrating your WordPress site, it’s normal to encounter some issues. Don’t worry—most of these can be fixed quickly with a few troubleshooting steps. Here’s a list of common problems and how to address them:

The site is not loading or is displaying a 404 error. This can happen if your DNS settings haven’t fully propagated yet or there’s an issue with your .htaccess file.

Pro-tip: Wait for DNS to update, as it can usually take up to 48 hours for changes to take full effect. If it’s been less time, give it a while before checking again.

Media files are missing. Media files, including images and videos, may not have been transferred properly, or the paths to those files may be incorrect after the migration.

Pro-tip: Check file paths and ensure the media file URLs correctly point to your new server. If files are missing entirely, manually upload them through the WordPress media library or via FTP.

The plugins are not working. Plugins may not be fully compatible with the new server environment, or the migration process could have caused settings to break.

Pro-tip: Make sure all your plugins are up-to-date. Or, try deactivating all plugins and then reactivating them one by one.

The site is slow and experiencing frequent errors. Site performance may degrade due to server configuration, issues with the database, or an overload of plugins and files.

Pro-tip: Optimize your site’s database or check server resources.

3 SEO tips for your new WordPress website

Migrating your WordPress website is a great time to ensure that your SEO is in tip-top shape. One common concern when switching web hosting is how it might impact SEO. However, according to Google’s Gary Illyes, as long as you follow the right steps, it shouldn’t affect your rankings.

After transferring to your new web host or domain, here are a few simple tips to help maintain your rankings intact.

Set up 301 redirects

After migrating your WordPress site, some of your URLs might change. To make sure both visitors and search engines are sent to the correct pages on your new site, you need to set up 301 redirects.

A 301 redirect, or permanent redirect, lets search engines and visitors know that a page has been relocated to a new address for good. The great thing about 301 redirects is that they transfer most of the SEO value (or authority) from the old page to the new one.

Update internal links

Internal links are a vital part of your site’s SEO structure. Hence, you’ll want to ensure they all point to the correct pages on your new site after migration.

You can manually update the links within your posts, pages, and navigation menus or use a plugin like Better Search Replace to search for and replace the old URLs with new ones.

Submit your sitemap to search engines

Once your migrated site is up, send your sitemap to search engines to notify them about the recent changes on your site.

By doing so, your content and pages get indexed faster. This helps them become visible to new users, thereby boosting their chances of ranking in search results.

Complete website migration checklist

We’ve put together a practical checklist below to guide you through your WordPress migration. It breaks everything down into three simple stages—pre-migration, during migration, and post-migration—so you know exactly what to do and when.

Pre-Migration

Back up your site

Save all WordPress files, including themes, plugins, media, and core files.

Export the WordPress database, which contains content, user data, and settings.

Choose a migration method

Decide between manual migration, a migration plugin, or hosting provider services.

Prepare your new hosting environment

Make sure your new hosting plan supports WordPress.

Set up a database on the new server if migrating manually.

During Migration

Migrate your files

Download your site files from the old web host with an FTP and upload them to your new host.

Transfer your database

Export your WordPress database from your previous host using phpMyAdmin.

Import the database to the new server via phpMyAdmin or cPanel.

Update the wp-config.php file

Modify the database name, username, and password to match the new server.

Update URLs (if changing domains)

Use a plugin like Better Search Replace or a script to replace old URLs with new ones.

Post-Migration

Update DNS settings

Update nameservers or DNS records to point to the new hosting provider.

Allow up to 48 hours for the DNS changes to be fully reflected.

Test your site

Check if the site is accessible and loads normally.

Test all navigation elements, including menus and links.

Ensure all images, graphics, and media files are displayed correctly.

Review content formatting, including headings, paragraphs, and lists.

Verify that all installed plugins are functioning as intended.

Measure page load speed.

Check that the SSL certificate is active and your site is secured with HTTPS.

Test database performance to avoid lags or errors.

Check mobile responsiveness and site speed.

Confirm that user roles and permissions are properly configured.

Review security measures, including firewalls and malware protection, to ensure they’re active.

Address post-migration issues

Resolve 404 errors or broken links.

Restore missing media files.

Ensure plugins are functional and up to date.

Optimize for SEO

Set up 301 redirects for updated URLs.

Update internal links to direct to the correct pages.

Send your updated sitemap to search engines for faster indexing.

Transfer your WordPress blog the right way!

Here’s the truth: migrating your WordPress site is no easy feat. But don’t worry—it’s totally doable! With the right steps, you can transfer your website to a new domain, host, or server without any major issues.

Once everything’s transferred, just remember to test everything, set up redirects, and update your DNS settings. This way, your site will stay user-friendly and easy to find on search engines. Follow our guide, and you’ll be back online in no time!

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