Are You Ready to Migrate Your WordPress Site to a New Server?

WordPress is an amazingly adaptable and versatile CMS that lets users easily create and manage websites and blogs with a wide variety of templates and plugins. Whether you’re switching hosting companies, upgrading your infrastructure, or migrating from a staging to a live site, moving your WordPress site from one server to another is a common occurrence.

First Things First: Choosing the Right Server

Selecting the right web host is crucial before you migrate your WordPress site.

• Hardware Setup

  Your new host should have the right hardware infrastructure, including substantial memory, processing speed, and storage to support your website’s requirements.

• Server Uptime

  Look for a hosting provider that offers high server uptime rates for maximum uptime satisfaction.

• Security Features

  Find a web host that offers strong security measures such as SSL certificates, firewalls, intrusion protection, and backups.

• Customer Support

  Choose a hosting provider with a responsive customer support team available 24/7, in case you face issues during the migration process.

Backing Up Your Site: A Crucial Step to Avoid Data Loss

Before transferring your website to a new server, it’s essential to back up your website to avoid losing any data. Here are the best backup methods:

• cPanel Backup

  Most hosting providers offer a CPanel backup option. Select this option by logging into your hosting account and navigating to the cPanel section where you can select the Backup Wizard and explore the steps to backup your website.

• Manual Backup

  Backup your WordPress site manually by copying all the files from the public_html directory of your website to your local computer via an FTP client. Also, back up your WordPress database by exporting the database in SQL format from the cPanel backup.

Moving Your WordPress Site to a New Server

The easiest way to move your WordPress site to a new server is through a migration plugin. Here are the necessary steps:

• Installing Plugin

  Install and activate the migration plugin of your choice on your website.

• Create A Package File

  Use the plugin to create a package file containing all your site files and databases.

• Upload Package File

  Download the package file to your local computer and upload it to the new server via an FTP client.

• Import Your WordPress Site

  Most migration plugins include import functionality that allows you to import the package file to the new server. It may take several minutes to complete depending on your website’s size.

• Update Domain and Database Settings

  After the import process is complete, update your domain settings to point to the new server’s IP address. Also, update your database settings such as database name, username, and password to connect your website with the new server.

Testing Your Website

After moving your WordPress site to a new server, it’s critical to test it thoroughly to ensure everything is functioning correctly. You can use website testing tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to check your website’s loading speed and performance. Additionally, navigate through your website manually to verify all functionalities are working as expected.

DNS Propagation Time

It may take up to 48 hours for your domain name to propagate to the new server. During this time, your site might not be available online, or you might see an error message when accessing it.

Conclusion

Migrating your WordPress site from one server to another doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Follow these steps to move your website with minimal downtime and data loss. Remember to back up your site first and test it thoroughly after completing migration. Once you’re up and running on the new server, you’ll be delighted with faster loading speeds and better website performance. Happy migrating!