How to move wordpress site to new host

Moving 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: Make sure to backup your WordPress site, 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 site, including PHP version, MySQL version, and storage space.
  3. Update your DNS: Update your domain name system (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 of databases.
  3. Click on the "Export" tab.
  4. Choose the "Quick" method and select "SQL" as the format.
  5. Click "Go" to download the database backup.

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.
  3. Download all the files and folders to your local computer.

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.
  3. Click on the "Import" tab.
  4. Choose the database backup file you downloaded earlier.
  5. 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.
  3. Upload all the files and folders you downloaded earlier.

Step 6: Update your wp-config.php file

  1. Open the wp-config.php file in a text editor.
  2. Update the database settings to match your new host's database settings.

Step 7: Update your site's URL

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Go to Settings > General.
  3. Update the "WordPress Address" and "Site Address" fields to match your new host's URL.

Step 8: Update your plugins and themes

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

Step 9: Test your site

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

That's it! With these steps, you should be able to move your WordPress site to a new host. Remember to update your DNS settings and be patient while the changes propagate.