Perplexing Steps to Move Your WordPress Site to a New Server

Moving a WordPress site from one server to another can seem overwhelming and confusing, particularly if you lack technical knowledge in website development. However, with careful planning and attention to detail, the process can be bursty and relatively straightforward. In this article, we’ll guide you through the perplexing steps involved in moving your WordPress site to a new server.

Step 1: Backup Your Website

Before changing anything or moving your site, ensure to create a backup of your website. This will guarantee that you will still have access to an updated version of your site if something goes wrong during the migration process. Use a plugin such as UpdraftPlus to make a full backup of your website, including your theme, plugins, database, and files. Store the backup in a cloud-based storage service or download it to your computer.

Step 2: Export Your WordPress Files

After backing up your site, the next step is to export your WordPress files. Connect to your current server via an FTP client and download all files and folders in your WordPress installation directory to your computer.

Step 3: Export Your WordPress Database

Exporting your WordPress database is essential, as it stores all your website’s content and settings. Use a tool like phpMyAdmin to export your database file into an SQL file that you can download to your computer.

Step 4: Upload Your Files to Your New Server

Once you have your website files and database, upload them to your new server via an FTP client or the hosting control panel’s file manager. Create a new folder with the same name as the folder in your old server where WordPress was installed in your new server’s public_html directory, and upload all the files and folders from step two to this new folder.

Step 5: Import Your Database to Your New Server

After uploading your files, import your WordPress database by creating a new database in your new server’s phpMyAdmin. Once you’ve selected the Import tab, upload the previously downloaded SQL file and click Go to import the database.

Step 6: Update the WordPress Configuration File

With your files and database now functioning on the new server, update your WordPress configuration file to reflect the new server’s settings. Open the wp-config.php file with a text editor and update the database settings to match your new server’s details.

Step 7: Test Your Website

It is crucial to test your website thoroughly to ensure everything is working correctly. Check your homepage and every other post, page, and content to make sure they’re displaying correctly. Confirm that forms, links, or plugins work as expected. Check your website’s log files and search online for possible solutions if you encounter any errors or issues.

By following these perplexing steps, you can move your WordPress site to a new server without losing any content or functionality. Remember, create a backup, export files and database, upload them to your new server, update your configuration file, and test everything thoroughly before going live on your new server.