Migrating a WordPress site can seem intimidating, especially if you’ve spent months or even years building your website. Whether you’re moving to a new hosting provider, changing domains, or setting up a staging environment, performing a WordPress website migration correctly is crucial to prevent downtime and data loss.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to migrate WordPress site safely and effectively, covering both manual and plugin-based methods.
Why You Might Need to Migrate a WordPress Website
There are several reasons why you might need to migrate your WordPress website:
- Changing hosting providers for better speed, support, or reliability. Learn more about how to speed up your WooCommerce store after migration.
- Moving from a local server to a live environment after development.
- Switching domains to reflect a rebranding or new business name.
- Creating a staging or development environment for testing changes safely.
No matter the reason, understanding how to properly migrate WordPress site ensures a smooth transition without losing your data, SEO rankings, or functionality.
Preparing for WordPress Website Migration
Before you begin, take a few essential steps to ensure everything goes smoothly:
- Backup Your Entire Website
Create a complete backup of your site, including files and database. You can use tools like UpdraftPlus, All-in-One WP Migration, or Duplicator, or simply copy the files manually via FTP. - Check WordPress and PHP Versions
Ensure that the new hosting environment supports your current WordPress version and PHP configuration. Incompatible environments can cause site errors post-migration. - Deactivate Caching and Security Plugins
Plugins like WP Rocket or Wordfence can interfere during migration. Deactivate them temporarily to avoid conflicts. After migration, implement proper WooCommerce security tips to protect your store. - Note Down Login Credentials and URLs
Keep your database name, username, and password handy. You’ll need these while configuring your site on the new host.
How to Manually a Migrate WordPress Site
If you prefer full control over your migration process, here’s how to manually migrate a WordPress site step-by-step.
Step 1: Download Your Website Files
- Connect to your current hosting using FTP or cPanel File Manager.
- Locate your WordPress installation folder (usually public_html or www).
- Download all files, including the wp-content folder, plugins, and themes.
Step 2: Export Your Database
- Log in to your phpMyAdmin panel.
- Select your WordPress database.
- Click Export → Quick → SQL → Go to download the database file to your computer.
Step 3: Upload Files to the New Server
- Connect to your new hosting account via FTP.
- Upload all the downloaded files into the root directory (e.g., public_html).
- This may take some time, depending on your site size.
Step 4: Create a New Database
- In your new hosting cPanel, go to MySQL Databases.
- Create a new database and user, then assign the user full privileges.
- Note down the new database name, username, and password.
Step 5: Import the Database
- Open phpMyAdmin on your new host.
- Select the new database and click Import.
- Choose the .sql file you exported earlier and click Go.
- Once completed, your database is now imported to the new environment.
Step 6: Update wp-config.php
- In your uploaded files, locate wp-config.php.
Update the following lines with your new database details:
define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘your_new_db_name’);
define(‘DB_USER’, ‘your_new_db_user’);
define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘your_new_db_password’);
define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’);
- Save the file and re-upload it if needed.
Step 7: Update URLs (If Domain Changed)
If you’ve moved to a new domain, you’ll need to update all internal URLs:
Access phpMyAdmin → Open your database → Run SQL query:
UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = ‘https://newdomain.com’ WHERE option_name = ‘siteurl’ OR option_name = ‘home’;
- You can also use the Better Search Replace plugin to update all old URLs in posts, pages, and media.
Step 8: Test Your Migrated Website
- Visit your new domain or temporary URL.
- Check all pages, links, and images.
- Re-activate your caching and security plugins.
- If everything works fine, you’ve successfully migrated your WordPress site manually!
Migrating a WordPress Website Using a Plugin
If manual migration feels too technical, you can use a migration plugin for a simpler process. Tools like All-in-One WP Migration, Duplicator, or Migrate Guru make it easy to migrate a WordPress website with just a few clicks.
Here’s how it typically works:
- Install the migration plugin on your old site.
- Export your site package or create a migration file.
- Install WordPress and the same plugin on your new site.
- Import the file or connect via the plugin’s migration wizard.
- Wait for the process to complete, then test your site.
This method is beginner-friendly and much faster, though it’s less flexible than manual migration for large or complex websites.
Post-Migration Checklist
After migrating, make sure you:
- Update permalinks (go to Settings → Permalinks → Save Changes).
- Check your SSL certificate and ensure HTTPS is enabled.
- Reconnect Google Analytics and Search Console.
- Test contact forms, checkout pages, and logins.
- Submit your new sitemap to search engines.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to migrate WordPress site properly can save you from costly downtime, broken links, and SEO issues. Whether you choose to manually migrate WordPress site or use a plugin-based method, preparation and testing are key to a smooth transition.
By following this step-by-step guide, you can confidently perform a WordPress website migration — ensuring your site stays secure, functional, and fully optimized in its new environment.
Need Expert Help? Folio3 Can Handle Your WordPress Migration Seamlessly
If you’d rather not deal with the technical side of migration, Folio3’s WordPress migration services can help you move your website quickly, safely, and without downtime.
Our expert team has over a decade of experience handling complex WordPress website migrations, whether from Shopify, Wix, Joomla, or custom-built platforms. We take care of everything — from database transfers and media handling to post-migration testing and SEO preservation.
Why Choose Folio3?
- Zero downtime and data loss guarantee
- Complete backup and restore support
- Migration to or from any hosting provider
- Custom solutions for WooCommerce stores
- 24/7 technical support and maintenance
Whether you need a simple site transfer or complex eCommerce migration, you can hire WooCommerce developers who understand the intricacies of WordPress and can ensure a seamless transition. Our team specializes in WooCommerce development services and can handle migrations of any complexity.
Let the professionals handle your migration while you focus on running your business. Contact Folio3 today to get a free consultation and make your WordPress website migration smooth and worry-free.
FAQs
How do I transfer a WordPress site to another computer?
Download all your website files using an FTP program and export your database from phpMyAdmin. Then install WordPress on the new computer, upload the files, import the database, and update the settings to match your new setup.
How do I export an entire WordPress site?
Use an FTP program to download all files from your website’s folder on the server. Go to phpMyAdmin in your hosting account, select your WordPress database, click Export, and save the file to your computer.
How to migrate a WordPress site without a plugin?
Download your site files via FTP and export your database from phpMyAdmin. Upload the files to the new location, import the database there, and update your configuration file with the new database details and website address.
How to migrate a WordPress site to local?
Install a local server program like XAMPP on your computer and download your live site’s files and database. Put the files in the local server folder, import the database, and change your configuration settings to work with your computer instead of the web host.
