What is the recommended way to perform a WordPress migration?

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The recommended way to perform a WordPress migration involves a series of steps to ensure a smooth transition with minimal downtime and data loss. Here’s a consolidated guide based on the provided sources:

Pre-Migration Checklist

  1. Back Up Your Original Website: Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or Duplicator to create a complete backup of your site, including both files and the database.
  2. Set Up Your New Hosting Account or Domain: If you haven’t already, sign up for a new hosting account and domain where you’ll be migrating your site.
  3. Choose the Right Time for the Migration: Avoid weekends and holidays to minimize the impact on your users.
  4. Inform Your Audience About the Move: Notify your users about the migration through email or social media to manage expectations.
  5. Put Your WordPress Site in Maintenance Mode: Use a plugin to temporarily disable your site, informing visitors that the site is under maintenance.
  6. Disable Caching, Security, and Redirect Plugins: Before migration, disable any caching, security, or redirect plugins to prevent issues during the migration process.

Migration Process

  1. Choose the Right Tools: Decide whether to migrate manually or use a plugin like Duplicator, WP Migrate DB, or All-in-One WP Migration. Manual migration gives you more control but is more complex.
  2. Create a Copy of Your Website: Use a migration plugin to create a copy of your site, including all files and the database.
  3. Update Your Hosts File: If necessary, update your hosts file to point to the new server 1.
  4. Create a New Database: On your new hosting account, create a new database for your site.
  5. Migrate Your Files and Database: Use the migration plugin to upload your site’s files and import the database to the new server.

Post-Migration Checklist

  1. Check Your New Website’s Speed and Functionality: After migration, test your site for speed and functionality issues.
  2. Scan For Broken Links: Use a tool like Broken Link Checker to find and fix any broken links.
  3. Add Redirects: If your site’s URL is changing, set up redirects from the old URL to the new one.
  4. Update Your DNS: Change your DNS settings to point to the new hosting account.
  5. Inform Google of the Migration: Use Google Search Console to inform Google about the change in your site’s URL.
  6. Test Your SSL Certificate: Ensure your SSL certificate is correctly installed and functioning.
  7. Crawl Your New Website: Use Google Search Console to crawl your new site and ensure all pages are indexed.

Additional Considerations

  • Security: If you’re using security plugins like Wordfence, consider removing Extended Protection mode before migration and re-enabling it afterward. This can help avoid issues with root path references.
  • Plugin Configuration: Some plugins may need reconfiguration after migration, especially if there’s a change in the site’s URL or file structure.

By following these steps and best practices, you can ensure a successful WordPress migration with minimal disruption to your site’s functionality and user experience.

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