Migrating a WordPress Site: A Comprehensive Guide

Undertaking the task of migrating a WordPress site can certainly seem daunting, but it is a necessary task to undertake when upgrading your website. The process can be as simple as moving to a new server or changing domains or as complex as changing a web host. Nonetheless, it is essential to learn how to migrate your WordPress site without facing any major issues or setbacks.

Step 1: Choose a New Web Host and Backup Your Site

Before commencing the migration process, you must first select a new web host that can offer you a better website environment with faster speeds and more features than your current host. Once you have finalized a new web host, it’s time to create a backup of your website. This backup will ensure that no data is lost during the entire migration process. Several WordPress plugins can help you backup your website, such as UpdraftPlus, VaultPress, and BackupBuddy.

Step 2: Create a Staging Environment

A staging environment is a duplicitous website that runs on a different domain or subdomain. The goal is to test the migration process before making it live. This way, you can detect any issues beforehand and fix them before your live site goes down.

Step 2.1: Creation of Subdomain

Begin by creating a subdomain on your new web host’s control panel where you will host the staging environment.

Step 2.2: Creating a New Database

Create a new database for the staging environment using your web host’s control panel or the phpMyAdmin tool.

Step 2.3: Uploading Files from Backup to the Staging Domain Root Folder

Use FTP to upload the files from your backup to the staging domain root folder.

Step 2.4: Editing the wp-config.php File

Edit the wp-config.php file to reflect the new database credentials.

Step 2.5: Verifying that Everything is Working as Expected

Finally, use your web browser to access the staging domain and verify that everything is working as expected.

Step 3: Migrate Your WordPress Database

The next step is to migrate your WordPress database. This can be done either by using a WordPress plugin or manually migrating the database.

Using a WordPress Plugin

The easiest way to migrate your WordPress database is by using a plugin called All-in-One WP Migration, which exports your entire WordPress database, including your posts, pages, comments, media, plugins, and themes.

Manually Migrating the Database

The manual method of migrating your WordPress database requires more technical knowledge than using a plugin. However, if you’re comfortable with editing files and SQL queries, this method is a viable option.

Step 4: Migrate Your WordPress Files

After migrating the database, you need to move your WordPress files to the new server. This can be done using FTP or your web host’s control panel.

Step 5: Update DNS and Finalize the Move

After successfully migrating your WordPress site to the new server, it’s time to switch the DNS to the new server. Once the DNS propagation is complete, your WordPress site will go live on the new server.

Step 5.1: Changing the A-record

Log in to your domain registrar and change the A-record to point to the new server’s IP address.

Step 5.2: Waiting for DNS Propagation

Wait for 24-48 hours for the DNS propagation to complete.

Step 5.3: Final Verification

Once the DNS propagation is complete, verify that your site is live on the new server.

Step 5.4: Final Cleanup

If everything is working as expected, cancel your old hosting account and clean up any remaining files on the old server.

Conclusion

Migrating a WordPress site may appear to be a challenging task, but with the right tools and knowledge, the process can be quite simple. Remember to back up your site, create a test environment, move your database and files, and finally, update your DNS to point to the new server. By following these steps, you can successfully migrate your WordPress site without encountering any downtime or errors. Happy migrating!