Introduction
Why You Might Need to Move Your WordPress Site
There are many reasons to migrate your WordPress website. You might want faster hosting, improved security, better support, or more scalable resources. Moving your site can also be necessary if your current host has frequent downtime, slow server response, or limited storage and bandwidth. For more info: Migrate or move WordPress website to a new host in 2025
Benefits of Switching Hosting Providers
Switching to a better host can improve your site’s speed, reliability, and overall user experience. Managed WordPress hosting often includes automatic updates, daily backups, enhanced security, and server-level caching to keep your site running smoothly. A new hosting environment can also reduce page load times, which boosts SEO and visitor satisfaction.
Risks of a WordPress Migration
Migrating a WordPress site involves risks if done improperly. Issues may include downtime, broken links, lost media files, plugin conflicts, or database errors. Testing and preparation are essential to ensure a smooth transition and avoid negatively impacting user experience or search engine rankings.
Pre-Migration Checklist
Backup Your WordPress Site Completely
Before starting, make a full backup of your site. Include the database, themes, plugins, media files, and custom code. You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus, All-in-One WP Migration, or manual backups via cPanel or phpMyAdmin.
List All Installed Plugins & Themes
Create a detailed inventory of all active and inactive plugins and themes. This helps ensure compatibility with the new hosting environment and prevents missing features after migration.
Check WordPress Version & PHP Compatibility
Verify that your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are updated. Check that the new host supports your current PHP version. Using an outdated version can cause compatibility issues and slow down your site.
Identify Custom Code & URLs
If your site includes custom code, shortcodes, or hardcoded URLs, note them down. You may need to update URLs and paths after migration to prevent broken links or missing functionality.
Test the Current Website’s Performance
Measure your site’s speed and performance using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, or WebPageTest. This gives a baseline to compare results after migration and ensures any speed issues are addressed during the move.
Choosing the Right Hosting Provider
Shared Hosting vs VPS vs Managed WordPress Hosting
Choosing the right hosting depends on your website size, traffic, and performance needs. Shared hosting is the cheapest option but often comes with slow server response due to multiple sites sharing resources. VPS hosting provides dedicated resources and better performance for growing sites. Managed WordPress hosting is the best choice for most sites—it includes automatic updates, optimized servers, security, caching, and dedicated support for WordPress.
Factors to Consider: Speed, Security, Support
When selecting a host, focus on server speed, uptime guarantees, and security features such as malware scanning, firewalls, and SSL certificates. Also, check the quality of customer support and availability of WordPress-specific tools for maintenance and optimization.
Recommended Hosting Providers in 2025
Top providers in 2025 include SiteGround, WP Engine, Kinsta, Cloudways, and Bluehost Managed WordPress Hosting. These hosts provide fast, secure, and reliable environments suitable for small to large WordPress websites.
How Hosting Location Affects Website Speed
The closer the server is to your primary audience, the faster your site will load. Hosting in the same region reduces latency. For global audiences, pairing your hosting with a Content Delivery Network (CDN) ensures content is delivered quickly worldwide.
Methods to Migrate WordPress
Manual Migration Using cPanel & FTP
Manual migration involves downloading all WordPress files via FTP and exporting the database through phpMyAdmin, then uploading them to the new host. This method gives full control but requires technical knowledge.
Using WordPress Plugins
Plugins like All-in-One WP Migration, Duplicator, and UpdraftPlus simplify the migration process. They can export your site as a package and import it to the new host. This method is faster and safer for beginners but may have size limitations on large sites.
Migration via Hosting Provider Tools
Some hosts offer built-in migration tools that automatically move your site. This is convenient and often free with managed WordPress hosting. The downside is limited control and sometimes minor compatibility issues.
Pros & Cons of Each Method
Manual Migration: Full control, but technical and time-consuming.
Plugin Migration: Quick and user-friendly, but may have size or plugin conflicts.
Hosting Tool Migration: Easiest and often supported by the host, but less flexible for custom setups.
Step-by-Step Manual Migration Guide
Exporting WordPress Database via phpMyAdmin
Log into your old host’s phpMyAdmin, select your database, and export it in SQL format. This backup contains all content, posts, pages, users, and settings.
Downloading Website Files via FTP
Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) to download your wp-content, wp-admin, wp-includes folders, and any custom files from your server.
Uploading Files to the New Host
Connect to your new hosting server via FTP and upload all the WordPress files to the public_html or desired root directory.
Importing Database on the New Server
Create a new database on your new host, and import the SQL file via phpMyAdmin. Ensure the database username, password, and host are ready.
Updating wp-config.php with New Database Details
Edit your wp-config.php file to reflect the new database name, username, password, and host. This ensures WordPress can connect to your new database.
Updating URLs & Permalinks
Use a plugin like Better Search Replace or run SQL queries to update old URLs if the domain or directory structure changed. Reset your permalinks in WordPress to ensure all links work correctly.
Plugin-Based Migration Guide
Using All-in-One WP Migration
All-in-One WP Migration is a popular plugin for transferring WordPress sites. Export your entire site—including database, themes, plugins, and media—into a single file. Import the file on the new host using the same plugin. It’s beginner-friendly and avoids manual database handling, but large sites may require a premium version.
Using Duplicator
Duplicator creates a package of your website and an installer script. Upload both to your new host, run the installer, and it sets up your site automatically. This method is reliable for medium to large sites and gives more control over database and file settings.
Handling Large Sites & Media Files
For sites with many images or large databases, splitting the export into smaller parts or increasing upload limits on the new host may be necessary. Use plugins like WP-CLI or All-in-One WP Migration Unlimited Extension for large migrations.
Testing Site After Migration
After using any plugin-based method, check that pages, posts, images, forms, and plugins function correctly. Confirm that permalinks are working and no media or styling is missing.
DNS Changes & Going Live
Updating Domain Nameservers
Point your domain to the new host by updating the nameservers in your domain registrar’s control panel. This ensures traffic is directed to the new hosting environment.
DNS Propagation Time & Considerations
DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate worldwide. During this period, some visitors may still reach the old host.
Verifying the Site on the New Host
Check your website thoroughly on the new host before considering the migration complete. Test all forms, links, media, and functionality to ensure a seamless experience for users.
Temporary Maintenance Mode During Migration
Enable a maintenance mode plugin during migration to prevent users from accessing incomplete pages. This avoids errors and ensures a professional appearance during the transition.
Post-Migration Checklist
Test Website Functionality & Forms
Ensure that all forms, login areas, and interactive features work properly. Click through pages and check for broken links, missing images, or layout issues.
Check SEO & Google Search Console
Verify that SEO settings, meta titles, and descriptions remain intact. Re-submit sitemaps to Google Search Console and monitor indexing to prevent SEO loss.
Monitor Page Load & Core Web Vitals
Test site speed and performance on the new host using Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, or WebPageTest. Compare results to pre-migration metrics to confirm improvements.
Reconfigure Caching & Security Plugins
Re-enable caching plugins like WP Rocket or LiteSpeed Cache and security plugins. Clear caches and verify they are working correctly on the new server.
Remove Old Backups & Files
Delete temporary migration files, old backups, and unused data from the new host to reduce clutter and optimize server performance.
Troubleshooting Common Migration Issues
White Screen of Death
A blank white screen usually occurs due to PHP errors, exhausted memory limits, or plugin conflicts. Check your wp-config.php for WP_DEBUG mode to identify the issue. Deactivating recently added plugins or switching to a default theme can help isolate the problem.
Database Connection Errors
Errors connecting to the database often happen if wp-config.php contains incorrect database credentials or if the database wasn’t imported correctly. Verify the database name, username, password, and host, and ensure the database exists on the new server.
Broken Links & Missing Images
If your site’s URLs changed during migration, images and links may break. Use a plugin like Better Search Replace to update URLs in the database. Check your uploads folder to confirm media files transferred properly.
Permalink Issues
After migration, permalinks may result in 404 errors. Go to Settings > Permalinks in WordPress and click Save Changes to refresh the permalink structure.
Plugin or Theme Conflicts
Some plugins or themes may not be compatible with the new host or updated PHP version. Deactivate all plugins and reactivate them one by one to find conflicts. Ensure your theme is up-to-date and compatible with your WordPress version.
Advanced WordPress Migration Tips
Moving Multisite WordPress Installations
Migrating multisite setups is more complex due to multiple sub-sites and domain mapping. Use Duplicator Pro or manual migration for multisite databases, and update domain URLs carefully.
WooCommerce Site Migration
WooCommerce sites require special care to preserve orders, customer data, and product images. Export the database carefully, and avoid deleting any old WooCommerce tables. Test checkout, payment, and shipping features on the new host.
Migrating WordPress with Custom Code or APIs
Sites with custom plugins, code snippets, or API integrations require checking for compatibility with the new server. Update any hardcoded paths or API endpoints to reflect the new environment.
Using Staging Environments for Safe Testing
Before going live, migrate your site to a staging environment. Test performance, design, forms, and SEO settings. Once everything works correctly, you can safely push the site to production.
Conclusion
Summary of Migration Steps
Migrating WordPress involves careful preparation, choosing the right hosting, performing backups, transferring files and database, updating configurations, and testing thoroughly. Both manual and plugin-based methods have their advantages depending on site size and complexity.
How to Ensure a Smooth Transition
Plan the migration, monitor for common errors, and use staging environments. Test site speed, links, and functionality, and confirm SEO and Core Web Vitals metrics post-migration.
Final Tips for 2025 WordPress Site Migration
Always back up your entire site before starting.
Test migration on a staging server if possible.
Optimize images, caching, and plugins during migration for better performance.
Keep your WordPress, themes, and plugins updated.
Monitor DNS propagation and notify your users if there will be temporary downtime.
FAQs
Can I Move My WordPress Site Without Downtime?
Yes, it’s possible to migrate your WordPress site without downtime by using a staging environment or temporarily pointing your domain to the new server only after testing. Some managed hosts offer zero-downtime migration tools.
Which Method Is Best for Large Sites?
For large websites, manual migration or using plugins like Duplicator Pro is recommended. These methods handle bigger databases and media files better than free plugin solutions.
Do I Need Technical Skills to Migrate WordPress?
Basic technical knowledge is helpful, especially for manual migration, database handling, and updating wp-config.php. Plugin-based migrations are easier for beginners, though troubleshooting issues may still require technical skills.
Can I Keep My SEO Rankings After Migration?
Yes, maintaining URLs, permalinks, and metadata ensures SEO rankings are preserved. Submit updated sitemaps to Google Search Console and check that all internal links point to the correct URLs after migration.
How Often Should I Consider Changing Hosts?
You should consider changing hosts if your site is slow, your traffic has outgrown the current server, support is poor, or the hosting lacks WordPress-specific optimization features. Regular reviews every 1–2 years are recommended.