How to move wordpress 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: 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 account's control panel (e.g., cPanel).
  2. Go to the "Databases" section and click on "phpMyAdmin".
  3. Select your database from the list and 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 (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 site and select all files and folders.
  3. Download the files to your local computer or a cloud storage service like Dropbox.

Step 3: Set up your new host

  1. Log in to your new hosting account's control panel (e.g., cPanel).
  2. Create a new database and note the database name, username, and password.
  3. Create a new user account for your WordPress site and note the username and password.

Step 4: Upload your files

  1. Use an FTP client or SFTP client to connect to your new hosting account.
  2. Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress site and upload the files you downloaded earlier.

Step 5: Import your database

  1. Log in to your new hosting account's control panel and go to the "Databases" section.
  2. Click on "phpMyAdmin" and select your new database.
  3. Click on the "Import" tab and select the database backup file you downloaded earlier.
  4. Click "Go" to import the database.

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.
  2. Update the DB_NAME, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD, and DB_HOST variables with the new database credentials.

Step 7: Update your site's URL

  1. Log in to your WordPress site's dashboard and go to the "Settings" > "General" page.
  2. 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 site's dashboard and go to the "Plugins" page.
  2. Update any plugins that require updates.
  3. Go to the "Themes" page 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 move your WordPress site to a new host. If you encounter any issues, don't hesitate to reach out to your new host's support team for assistance.