Migrating WordPress with Duplicator: A Guide

Are you a website owner looking to migrate your WordPress site to a new location? Is the thought of doing so causing you anxiety? Fear not! With Duplicator, the process can be a breeze. Read on for a guide on how to migrate WordPress with Duplicator.

What is Duplicator and Why Use it for WordPress Migrations?

Duplicator is a WordPress plugin that allows for easy backups and movement or cloning of your website to another location. Regarded as one of the most popular and reliable options for website migration due to its user-friendly nature and lack of required technical knowledge, Duplicator is perfect for website owners of all levels.

Steps to Migrate WordPress with Duplicator

1. Install and Activate Duplicator

   Begin by installing the Duplicator plugin on your WordPress website. This can be done by going to the WordPress dashboard, clicking on “Plugins”, “Add New”, searching for “Duplicator”, clicking “Install Now”, then “Activate Plugin”.

2. Create a Duplicator Package

   Once Duplicator is installed, navigate to the plugin settings and click “Create New”. You will then be guided through the duplicator package creation wizard, which involves scanning your website for any conflicts and issues before creating a backup of your website. You will need to set a name for the package and choose where you want it saved.

3. Download the Package

   Once the package is created, download it to your computer or the location where you will be uploading it to. The archive is a zip file that contains all website files, and the installer is a PHP script that will help you install the website in the new location.

4. Upload the Package to a New Location

   With the Duplicator package ready to go, upload it to the new location (e.g., a new domain or subdirectory). In the case of uploading to the same domain, delete all files and folders from the root directory of your website. For uploading to a subdirectory, create the directory and upload the package into it.

5. Run the Installer

   After uploading the package to a new location, run the installer by navigating to the new location in your web browser and adding “/installer.php” to the end of the URL. The installer will ask for the database and login credentials, as well as providing a new name for your site and configuring the site URL.

6. Create a New Database

   If you’re migrating to a new domain or subdirectory, you will need to create a new database for your website. The process of creating a database varies depending on your hosting provider, but most hosting providers have a web-based interface to create new databases. Ensure to make a note of the database name, username, and password, as these details will be required when running the duplicator installer.

7. Run the Database Script

   Duplicator also includes a script that will run SQL queries to import the database from the backup file. The script is included in the duplicator package as a file called “database.sql”. To run the script, log in to your hosting control panel, access the database management tool, select the new database, click on the “Import” button, choose the “database.sql” file from the duplicator package, and upload it.

8. Test the New Site

   After migrating WordPress with Duplicator, test the new site to ensure that all pages and posts, links, and images are in order and functioning correctly. It’s also a good idea to check the site speed and performance using online tools such as GTmetrix and Pingdom.

Conclusion

If you’re a website owner looking for an efficient and straightforward way to migrate your WordPress site without losing any data, Duplicator is your solution. Although other options exist, such as FTP and manual copying of files, these methods can be complicated and time-consuming. Duplicator is a free and reliable tool that streamlines the process and ensures a successful migration. We hope this guide has been helpful in showing you how to migrate WordPress with Duplicator, but if you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below.