Migrating Your WordPress Site to Localhost: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you looking to test and develop new features without disrupting your live WordPress site? Or do you want to create a backup of your website for peace of mind? Migrating your WordPress site to a localhost can be an excellent solution for you! But, how do you do it? Follow these steps:

Step 1: Install a Local Server Environment

Before migrating, you need to install a local server environment on your computer to create a local web server and database to run WordPress. We recommend using XAMPP or MAMP as they are easy to install and use.

Step 2: Export Your WordPress Site

Export your WordPress site from your dashboard by selecting the parts you want to export and downloading the export file as an .xml.

Step 3: Download and Install WordPress on Your Localhost

Download the latest version of WordPress from the official website, unzip the file, and move it to the directory where you installed your local server environment.

Step 4: Create a New Database for Your Local WordPress Site

Create a new database on your local server environment, giving it a name, and then clicking on the create button.

Step 5: Import Your WordPress Site to Your Localhost

Import your WordPress site to your localhost by navigating to your local WordPress dashboard and uploading the .xml file. Ensure all media files are imported to your local site by checking the box for it.

Step 6: Update wp-config.php File

Update the wp-config.php file with your new database information by opening the wp-config-sample.php file, making the necessary changes, saving it as wp-config.php, and moving it to the same directory.

Step 7: Update Site URL

Update the site URL in your local WordPress dashboard to use “localhost” instead of your live site’s URL.

Finally, verify that everything is working as expected by visiting your local site. Congratulations! You have successfully migrated your WordPress site to localhost.