6 steps to Easily move your WordPress Website
Updated on Jun 07, 2020
WordPress can be a tricky content management system to move from one location to another. This is mainly due to the endless number of absolute paths which are stored in the database in posts, pages, comments, links and plugins. It is understandable that WordPress stores absolute paths as it is designed to accomodate a wide variety of locations and conditions.
Many WordPress developers use a development server or their localhost to create a website before uploading it to the live website. Here are the steps I follow to ensure an easy and successful move.
Before you start to move anything make sure you have a full backup of your files and especially your database. This can be achieved by exporting your database to an SQL file with phpmyadmin, an application like sequelpro or using the WP-DB-Database.
1. Download Database
First we need to export the database. This could be a duplicate of the backup you have just made. It needs to be an SQL file so we can modify it in the next step. As previously mentioned phpmyadmin, sequelpro or WP-DB-Database can easily complete this task.
2. Search and replace database for new website address
WordPress stores absolute paths inside the database which can pose a problem when moving it. I have found the easiest way to alter this is a search and replace of the entire database. Simple open the SQL file you have generated in your favourite editor and search for www.olddomain.com to replace with www.newdomain.com.
If you’re unable to acquire an SQL file you can use the plugin search & replace but please be aware this will only replace content inside of posts and pages so links, settings and plugins will need to be altered manually. I wouldn’t recommend doing it this way if you don’t have to!
3. Upload the database to the new website
Using the software I’ve previously mentioned in this article; import your SQL file to the new database. This will populate your new database with all your WordPress content.
4. Modify the wp-config file with the changes in database connection
Next, open your wp-config file in the root of your WordPress install and edit the database details so it is ready when you transfer the files to the new hosting. Doing this before you move the files will reduce downtime on the new website address.
5. Transfer the files to the new location
Now we’re all setup to move your WordPress files. Copy your files across to the new location. There are several ways of doing this but the simplest is to download the files using FTP to your computer and then reupload to to your new space. If you’re using an application such as transmit you can move from one FTP account to another removing the need to download a local copy (although always good to keep one in case).
This could take at least 10 minutes so you may wish to place a holding page on the server. If you name the file index.html it ensures WordPress will not over write it and on most servers will take precedence over index.php which WordPress uses.
Once transferred ensure that the upload folder inside wp-content has full right permissions so you can upload images from your admin. You may also be using some plugins which require special file permissions. In most cases you can right click on a file in your FTP client and select permissions.
6. Test
Before removing the index.html you may have created while transferring all of your files make sure to test everything on your website. Take particular care to check image uploading is working in your administration and any forms you may have on the front end post to the correct locations.
Now you can sit back in confidence that WordPress is running smoothly at its new location.
