Category: WordPress • Est. reading time: 1 minute
Moving a WordPress site to a new host sounds scary, but it is really about relocating two things safely and pointing your domain at the new home. Here is how a migration works, and the order that keeps you from losing anything.
The Two Pieces
A WordPress site is made of two parts. The files, which include WordPress itself, your theme, plugins, and uploads, and the database, which holds all your content and settings. A migration means moving both to the new host intact.
The Steps, in Order
First, back up both the files and the database from your old host. Copy the files to the new host, then export the database and import it there. Next, update your wp-config.php file with the new database details, and if your domain is changing, update the site address to match. Finally, point your domain to the new host by updating its nameservers (or the A record to the IP of the webserver), and test everything before you switch over for good.
A Few Cautions
Always back up first, and run the move during a quiet traffic period. Watch for old links or settings that point to the previous location. A migration plugin or your new host can automate much of this, which removes a lot of the risk.
Let Us Move It for You
Migrations are one of the most common things that go wrong when done in a rush. We handle them cleanly, with no downtime, as part of our hosting. Reach us at support@allydrez.com or 1-321-209-2004.