How to migrate wordpress to new host

Migrating a WordPress site to a new host can be a bit of a process, but it's definitely doable. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Before you start:

  1. Backup your site: Before making any changes, make sure to backup your WordPress site, including the database and files. You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus or Duplicator to do this.
  2. Check your hosting plan: Verify that your new host meets the requirements for your WordPress site, including PHP version, MySQL version, and storage space.
  3. Update your DNS: Update your domain's DNS settings to point to your new host. This may take some time to propagate, so be patient.

Step 1: Export your database

  1. Log in to your current hosting control panel (cPanel) and navigate to the phpMyAdmin tool.
  2. Select your database from the list and click on the "Export" tab.
  3. Choose the "Quick" method and select "SQL" as the format.
  4. Click "Go" to download the database backup file.

Step 2: Export your files

  1. Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) or SFTP client (like Cyberduck) to connect to your current hosting account.
  2. Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress site and select all files and folders.
  3. Download the files to your local computer or a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox.

Step 3: Create a new database on your new host

  1. Log in to your new hosting control panel (cPanel) and navigate to the phpMyAdmin tool.
  2. Create a new database and take note of the database name, username, and password.

Step 4: Import your database

  1. Log in to your new hosting control panel (cPanel) and navigate to the phpMyAdmin tool.
  2. Select the new database you created and click on the "Import" tab.
  3. Choose the database backup file you downloaded earlier and click "Go" to import the database.

Step 5: Upload your files

  1. Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) or SFTP client (like Cyberduck) to connect to your new hosting account.
  2. Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress site and upload the files you downloaded earlier.
  3. Make sure to upload the files to the correct directory (usually public_html or www).

Step 6: Update your wp-config.php file

  1. Open the wp-config.php file in a text editor and update the database settings to match your new host's database credentials.
  2. Save the file and upload it to your new hosting account.

Step 7: Update your site's URL

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Settings > General.
  2. Update the "WordPress Address" and "Site Address" fields to reflect your new host's URL.
  3. Click "Save Changes" to update the settings.

Step 8: Update your plugins and themes

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
  2. Update any plugins that require updates.
  3. Go to Appearance > Themes and update any themes that require updates.

Step 9: Test your site

  1. Visit your site's URL to ensure it's working correctly.
  2. Test your site's functionality, including forms, contact pages, and any other critical features.

That's it! With these steps, you should be able to successfully migrate your WordPress site to a new host.