How to Migrate a WordPress Website 

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Migrating a WordPress website may sound complicated, but with the right approach, it’s simple and safe. WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet – from personal blogs to corporate websites and online stores. Whether you want to switch hosting providers or move to a faster server, this step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to migrate your WordPress website smoothly and securely. 

Choose Your Migration Method 

There are three main ways to migrate WordPress: 

  • Migration Plugin 
  • Manual Migration 
  • Hosting Provider’s Migration Tools 

Each option works, but the best one depends on your experience level and hosting setup. 

Method 1: Using a WordPress Migration Plugin 

The easiest way to migrate your WordPress website is with a plugin like All-in-One WP Migration. It’s beginner-friendly and requires no coding knowledge. 

Install the Plugin 

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New, search for All-in-One WP Migration, and click Install Now → Activate. 

Export Your Website 

Navigate to All-in-One WP Migration → Export, select Export To → File, and download the backup file to your computer.

Set Up the New WordPress Site 

Install WordPress on your new hosting provider. Once done, add the same All-in-One WP Migration plugin. 

Import the Backup 

Go to All-in-One WP Migration → Import, upload your backup file, and wait for the transfer to complete. 

Fix Permalinks 

Head to Settings → Permalinks → Save Changes to refresh your URL structure. Your website migration is now complete! 

Method 2: Manual Migration 

For more control – especially on large websites – manual migration gives you full oversight of files and databases. 

Back Up WordPress Files 

Use FTP (like FileZilla) or cPanel File Manager to download all website files from your old hosting provider. 

Export the Database 

In phpMyAdmin, select your WordPress database, click Export → Quick → SQL, and download the file. 

Upload Files to the New Host 

Use FTP or your new host’s file manager to upload all your WordPress files to the public_html directory. 

Create a New Database 

In cPanel → MySQL Databases, create a new database and user. Assign full privileges to that user. 

Import the database 

Open phpMyAdmin, select the new database, click Import, and upload your SQL file. 

Update wp-config.php 

Edit your wp-config.php file and update it with your new database credentials: 

define('DB_NAME', 'new_database_name');  
define('DB_USER', 'new_database_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_database_password');  
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'); 

Save the changes, then go to your WordPress dashboard, refresh permalinks, and verify your site’s functionality. If everything loads correctly, your migration is complete. 

Method 3: Hosting Provider’s Migration Tool 

Some hosting providers, including Contabo, offer built-in migration tools. This is the fastest option – just enter your old hosting details, click Migrate WordPress, and the system transfers everything automatically. 

Common Issues and Fixes 

Even with careful migration, a few common problems may occur. Here’s how to fix them quickly: 

Broken Links or Missing Images 

Use the Velvet Blues Update URLs plugin to update all old URLs in your database when switching domains or hosts. 

White Screen of Death 

If your website displays a blank page, increase the PHP memory limit in wp-config.php by adding this line: 

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); 

Database Connection Error 

Double-check your wp-config.php credentials to ensure the database name, user, and password are correct. 

Watch Our YouTube Video on Migrating a WordPress Website 

If you prefer a visual walk-through, we have a Video on our YouTube ready for you. 

Conclusion 

So, which method should you choose? 

  • Use a plugin for quick and easy migrations. 
  • Choose manual migration if you want full control. 
  • Take advantage of your hosting provider’s migration tool if available – it’s the fastest option. 
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