Manual Migration Steps for WordPress

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Migrating a WordPress site manually can sound intimidating at first, but with the right approach, it’s entirely manageable. Whether you’re moving your site to a new hosting provider, transferring to a new domain, or just need to back up your data for safekeeping, the manual migration process gives you full control over your website. By following the right steps, you can ensure a smooth transition without relying on third-party plugins.

In this article, we’ll guide you through each step of the manual WordPress migration process, making sure you cover every base to keep your website running smoothly. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

1. Preparing for WordPress Manual Migration

Before diving into the migration process, it’s crucial to prepare your WordPress site. Planning ahead ensures that you don’t overlook any essential steps that could affect the functionality of your website. Here’s how to get started.

Backing Up Your WordPress Site

The very first thing you need to do before migrating your WordPress site is to back it up. This is a critical step that ensures your website’s data is safe and recoverable in case something goes wrong during the migration process.

Why backup is important: Without a complete backup, there’s a risk of losing valuable content, media files, plugins, and settings. A backup ensures you can restore your site if anything fails during the migration.
Methods to back up your site:
- cPanel Backup: If your current host uses cPanel, it’s easy to create a backup via the Backup Wizard.
- FTP Backup: Using an FTP client like FileZilla, you can download your entire WordPress directory, including your wp-content folder (which contains themes, plugins, and uploads).
- Database Export: Use phpMyAdmin to export your WordPress database. This will contain all of your site’s content, settings, and user data.

Choosing the Right Hosting Environment

Once you’ve backed up your site, the next step is to choose a suitable hosting provider for your new site location. Selecting the right hosting is crucial for ensuring your WordPress site runs efficiently after migration.

Factors to consider:
- Server Specifications: Make sure the server meets WordPress’s minimum requirements, including PHP version, MySQL database, and adequate disk space.
- Compatibility: Ensure that the new hosting environment supports the version of WordPress you’re using, as well as any other necessary technologies like SSL or specific PHP extensions.
- Domain Setup: If you are changing domains, make sure the new domain is properly set up and pointing to the new hosting account.

2. Transferring WordPress Files to the New Host

After preparing your backups and choosing your new hosting, the next step is to transfer your website’s files to the new server. This process involves accessing your current hosting environment and moving the files manually via FTP.

Accessing Your Current Hosting Account via FTP

To begin the migration, you’ll need to access your website’s server using an FTP client. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a method of transferring files between your local computer and your web server.

Connecting with FTP: Download and install an FTP client like FileZilla. Open the client and enter your FTP login credentials provided by your host.
Locate Your WordPress Files: In your FTP client, navigate to the root folder of your WordPress installation, where you’ll find the core WordPress files such as wp-content, wp-includes, and wp-admin.

Uploading Files to the New Server

Once you’ve downloaded the WordPress files, the next step is to upload them to the new hosting environment. You’ll need to connect to the new hosting server using FTP and then upload all the files you downloaded earlier.

Upload to the Correct Directory: On your new host, the WordPress files should be uploaded to the root directory (commonly public_html or www).
Troubleshooting FTP Issues: Occasionally, there can be upload issues. These could include timeout errors or file transfer failures. Be sure to check the file permissions on both the local and server sides to ensure everything uploads correctly.

3. Exporting and Importing the WordPress Database

Your WordPress site’s database contains all the content, settings, and user data necessary for your site to function. You’ll need to export the database from the old host and import it into the new one.

Exporting the Database from the Old Host

To export the WordPress database, you’ll use a tool called phpMyAdmin, which is commonly available in most hosting control panels like cPanel.

Access phpMyAdmin: Log into your current hosting account, navigate to phpMyAdmin, and select the WordPress database.
Export the Database: Choose the export option and save the .sql file to your local computer. Ensure the “Quick” export method is selected for speed and simplicity.

Importing the Database to the New Host

Now that you have the database export, you can import it into the new host’s database system.

Create a New Database: In the cPanel of your new hosting account, create a new MySQL database. Take note of the database name, username, and password, as you’ll need them for your WordPress configuration.
Import the Database: Use phpMyAdmin to import the previously exported .sql file into the new database.

4. Updating the wp-config.php File

After uploading your files and database, the next step is to update the wp-config.php file to ensure WordPress can connect to the new database.

Edit the Database Details: Open the wp-config.php file in a text editor, and update the database name, username, and password with the new database details.
Test Database Connection: After saving the changes, visit your website’s URL to test if WordPress can connect to the new database. If you encounter errors, double-check the database details in wp-config.php.

5. Updating Your Domain and URL Settings

If you are moving to a new domain, you’ll need to update your WordPress settings to reflect the change. This step is crucial for ensuring all your site’s internal links and media URLs point to the new domain.

Changing the Site URL in WordPress Settings

If your domain is changing, you’ll need to update the WordPress address (URL) and site address (URL) in the WordPress dashboard.

Via the Admin Panel: Go to the WordPress admin panel, navigate to Settings > General, and update the WordPress Address and Site Address fields with your new domain.
Via phpMyAdmin: You can also update these URLs directly in the database by editing the siteurl and home rows in the wp_options table.

Handling SSL Certificates and HTTPS

To ensure your site remains secure with HTTPS, you’ll need to install an SSL certificate on the new server.

Install SSL: Most hosting providers offer free SSL certificates (e.g., Let’s Encrypt). Install the SSL certificate on the new hosting account and make sure all URLs on your site are redirected to the HTTPS version.
Update URLs: Check that all internal links, images, and resources use HTTPS instead of HTTP. This ensures that your site is fully secure.

6. Testing the WordPress Site After Migration

Once the files, database, and URLs are set up, it’s time to test the site thoroughly to ensure everything is functioning properly.

Testing Checklist: Make sure all pages are loading correctly, internal and external links work, images display properly, and plugins function as expected.
Common Post-Migration Issues: Sometimes, issues like missing images or broken links can arise. You can resolve these issues by running a search and replace query in the database or using a plugin like Velvet Blues for URL updates.

7. Final Steps After Migration

Finally, there are a few last steps to complete your WordPress migration and ensure that your site operates smoothly on the new host.

Set Up Redirects: If you’ve changed domains, set up 301 redirects to ensure visitors from the old domain are automatically redirected to the new one.
Monitor Performance: Check site performance, loading speeds, and uptime to ensure the migration hasn’t negatively impacted the user experience.
Update Your Backups: After confirming everything is working, update your backups to include the new site environment.

Conclusion: Wrapping Up Your WordPress Manual Migration

While manual WordPress migration may seem like a complex task, following these steps carefully will ensure a smooth transition to your new host or domain. By backing up your site, transferring files and databases, and making necessary URL changes, you’ll be able to migrate your site without issues.

If you’re looking for a reliable guide to follow, this manual process offers full control over your site’s move. If you need help at any stage, don’t hesitate to reach out to your hosting provider or consult a WordPress expert for assistance. Happy migrating!