How to move a wordpress website to a new host

Moving a WordPress website 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 website: Make sure to backup your website, including the database and files, before making any changes. You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus or Duplicator to create a backup.
2. Check your hosting plan: Verify that your new host meets the requirements for your WordPress website, including PHP version, MySQL version, and storage space.
3. Update your DNS: Update your DNS settings to point to your new host. This may take some time to propagate, so plan accordingly.

Step 1: Export your database

1. Log in to your current hosting account and access your database management tool (e.g., phpMyAdmin).
2. Select the database associated with your WordPress website.
3. Click on the "Export" tab and choose the "Quick" method.
4. Select the "SQL" format and click "Go".
5. Save the exported database file to your computer.

Step 2: Export your files

1. Use an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) or SFTP client (e.g., Cyberduck) to connect to your current hosting account.
2. Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress website and select all files and folders.
3. Download the files to your computer.

Step 3: Create a new database on your new host

1. Log in to your new hosting account and access your database management tool (e.g., phpMyAdmin).
2. Create a new database and note the database name, username, and password.

Step 4: Import your database

1. Log in to your new hosting account and access your database management tool (e.g., phpMyAdmin).
2. Select the new database you created and click on the "Import" tab.
3. Choose the exported database file you saved earlier and click "Go".

Step 5: Upload your files

1. Use an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) or SFTP client (e.g., Cyberduck) to connect to your new hosting account.
2. Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress website and upload the files you downloaded earlier.

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 changes to the file.

Step 7: Update your site 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. Save the changes.

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 website

1. Visit your website to ensure it's functioning correctly.
2. Test all pages, posts, and features to ensure everything is working as expected.

Additional tips:

• Make sure to update your DNS settings to point to your new host.
• Update your website's URL in any external services, such as Google Search Console or Analytics.
• Consider updating your website's theme and plugins to ensure compatibility with your new host.
• If you're using a caching plugin, clear the cache after moving your website.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully move your WordPress website to a new host.