How to migrate WordPress site?

Migrating your WordPress website involves several steps to ensure a smooth transition. Here’s a comprehensive guide based on the provided sources:

Step 1: Choose a New WordPress Host

Consider Your Needs: Assess your priorities, such as security, data storage, speed, and customer support. Your choice should align with your website’s requirements ¹.
Types of Hosting: Understand the different types of hosting available, including shared, VPS, dedicated, and managed hosting. Each type offers varying levels of control, performance, and cost.

Step 2: Back Up Your WordPress Site

Back Up Site Files: Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or Duplicator to create a backup of your WordPress site files.
Back Up Your WordPress Database: Export your WordPress database. This can be done through phpMyAdmin or a plugin like WP Migrate DB.

Step 3: Prepare Your WordPress Website for the Move

Export Your WordPress Database: Prepare your database for migration by exporting it.
Create a New SQL Database: On your new host, create a new database and import the contents of your old database.

Step 4: Upload Your WordPress Site Files to the New Web Host

Upload Files: Use an FTP client to upload your WordPress site files to the new host.

Step 5: Configure and Change Your DNS

Update wp-config.php: Update the database information in your wp-config.php file to connect to your new host’s database.
Change DNS Settings: Update your domain’s DNS settings to point to your new host. This step can take up to 48 hours to propagate.

Step 6: Migrate Your WordPress Site

Manual Migration: If you prefer more control, manually migrate your site by following the steps outlined above. This involves exporting your database, downloading your site files, creating a new database on your new host, and uploading your files.
Using a Plugin: For a more automated process, use a WordPress migration plugin like Duplicator, WP Migrate DB, or All-in-One WP Migration. These plugins simplify the migration process by handling the database export, file upload, and URL.

Post-Migration Checklist

Gain Access to Your New Site: Ensure you can access your new site.
Use the Hosts File to Reroute Your Domain: Temporarily modify your hosts file to point your domain to the new host for testing purposes.
Re-enable Caching and Other Plugins: After migration, re-enable any caching or security plugins you had disabled during the migration process.
Test Everything: Thoroughly test your site for functionality, performance, and security issues.
Point Your Domain Name to the New Host: Update your domain’s DNS settings to point to your new host permanently.
Wait for DNS to Propagate: Allow time for the DNS changes to propagate across the internet.

Communicating the Migration to Users

Inform Early: Notify your users about the planned migration well in advance to manage expectations.
Use a Maintenance Mode Plugin: Activate a maintenance mode plugin on your WordPress site to inform visitors that the site is under maintenance.

By following these steps and best practices, you can migrate your WordPress website to a new host smoothly and efficiently.

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