Why You Might Need a WordPress Migration
Migrating your WordPress site can be a necessary step for various reasons. Here are some common scenarios where migration might be required:
- Upgrading hosting plans: If your website has outgrown its current hosting plan, you might need to migrate to a new hosting provider that offers more resources, such as storage, bandwidth, or CPU power.
- Changing hosting providers: You might want to switch to a new hosting provider that offers better performance, security, or customer support.
- Migrating to a new domain name: If you’ve changed your business name or brand, you might need to migrate your website to a new domain name.
- Consolidating multiple websites: If you have multiple websites and want to merge them into a single website, migration might be necessary.
- Improving site performance: If your website is experiencing performance issues, such as slow loading times or frequent downtime, migrating to a new hosting provider or optimizing your website’s configuration might be necessary.
Understanding these scenarios can help you determine when it’s time to consider migrating your WordPress site to ensure it continues to meet your needs and performs optimally.
Pre-Migration Preparation
1. Back Up Your WordPress Site
A full backup of your WordPress site ensures you have a recovery point in case anything goes wrong.
- Test the backup to verify that all files and the database can be restored if needed.
- Back up WordPress files using an FTP client (such as FileZilla) or a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or Duplicator.
- Back up the database via phpMyAdmin or a plugin. Export it in .sql format and store it securely in cloud storage or an external drive.
2. Update WordPress, Plugins, and Themes
Running outdated software can lead to compatibility issues during migration.
- Update WordPress core to the latest version.
- Ensure all plugins and themes are updated.
- Remove any unused or outdated plugins and themes to reduce potential security risks.
- If using a caching plugin like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache, clear the cache before migration.
3. Set Up Your New Hosting Account
Your hosting provider must support WordPress and offer features like SSL certificates, backups, and staging environments. When migrating to a new web host, follow these steps to ensure a smooth transition:
- Choose a reliable host such as Kinsta, WP Engine, or Cloudways.
- Ensure the hosting plan meets your storage, bandwidth, and performance needs.
- If moving to a managed WordPress host, check if they offer a built-in migration tool.
- Set up temporary access credentials for testing before updating the live domain.
4. Choose the Right Time for the Migration
Migrating at the wrong time can cause unnecessary disruptions.
- Use Google Analytics or Jetpack Stats to determine low-traffic hours.
- Schedule migration outside of peak business hours to minimize downtime.
- Inform stakeholders, team members, and customers about potential downtime.
Pre-Migration Technical Steps
5. Put Your WordPress Site in Maintenance Mode
Prevent changes from being made to the site during migration.
- Use a plugin like WP Maintenance Mode to display a message to visitors.
- If running an eCommerce site, pause new orders or customer interactions.
6. Disable Caching and Security Plugins
Some plugins may interfere with the migration process.
- Temporarily disable caching plugins like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache.
- Disable security plugins such as Wordfence or iThemes Security to prevent conflicts.
- Re-enable these plugins after migration is complete.
Migration Process
7. Choose the Right Migration Tools
Several methods can be used for WordPress migration:
- Manual Migration: Export the database, transfer files via FTP, and update wp-config.php.
- Plugin-Based Migration: Use a WordPress migration plugin like All-In-One WP Migration or Duplicator for automated migration. These plugins simplify the process by allowing users to create site copies, handle backups, and facilitate easy data transfer, making migrations accessible even for beginners.
- Hosting Provider’s Migration Tool: Many managed WordPress hosts offer built-in migration tools.
8. Create a Copy of Your Website
If using a migration plugin:
- Generate a site package containing files and the database.
- Download and upload the package to the new hosting environment.
If migrating manually:
- Upload all WordPress files via FTP or the File Manager in cPanel.
- Import the database using phpMyAdmin.
9. Update Your Hosts File
Before updating DNS, you can preview your site on the new server by modifying the hosts file.
- On Windows, edit C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
- On macOS, edit /etc/hosts.
- Map your domain to the new server’s IP address to test the site before making it live.
10. Update Database Connection Details
If migrating manually, update wp-config.php:
- Change the database name, username, and password to match the new host.
- Ensure the database table prefix matches the old setup.
11. Migrate Your Files and Database
- Transfer all WordPress files to the new hosting provider using FTP. This is a crucial step in WordPress migrations, which is the process of transferring a WordPress website from one hosting environment to another.
- Import the database via phpMyAdmin or the migration plugin.
Post-Migration Checks
12. Verify Website Functionality
Verify that all website components are working as expected:
- Check the homepage, navigation menus, and internal links.
- Test contact forms, user logins, and interactive features.
- Verify site performance using GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights.
13. Scan for Broken Links
Broken links can hurt user experience and SEO.
- Use Broken Link Checker or Ahrefs to find and fix broken links.
- If the domain has changed, set up 301 redirects for old URLs.
14. Add Redirects
After migrating your WordPress site, it’s essential to set up redirects to ensure that visitors and search engines can find your new website. Here’s how to add redirects:
- Use a plugin: You can use a plugin like Redirection to set up redirects. This plugin allows you to create redirects for individual pages, posts, or entire websites.
- Update your .htaccess file: You can also update your .htaccess file to set up redirects. This file is located in the root directory of your website and controls how URLs are redirected.
- Set up 301 redirects: It’s essential to set up 301 redirects, which are permanent redirects that tell search engines that your website has moved to a new location.
By setting up redirects, you can ensure that your visitors and search engines are seamlessly directed to your new site, preserving your SEO rankings and user experience.
15. Test Your SSL Certificate
After migrating your WordPress site, it’s essential to test your SSL certificate to ensure that it’s working correctly. Here’s how to test your SSL certificate:
- Use an SSL checker tool: You can use an SSL checker tool like SSL Checker to test your SSL certificate. This tool will check your certificate’s validity, expiration date, and other settings.
- Check your website’s HTTPS status: You can also check your website’s HTTPS status by visiting your website in a web browser. If your website is secure, you should see a padlock icon in the address bar.
- Test your website’s security: You can also test your website’s security by using a tool like Qualys SSL Labs. This tool will scan your website’s SSL certificate and provide a report on its security settings.
Testing your SSL certificate ensures that your website remains secure and trustworthy for your visitors, maintaining the integrity and security of your site post-migration.
16. Update Your DNS Records
Point your domain to the new hosting provider:
- Update A records and CNAME records in your domain registrar’s settings.
- Use WhatsMyDNS.net to track propagation progress (this can take 24-48 hours).
Final Steps
17. Close Your Old Hosting Account
- Wait at least 30-60 days to confirm everything works before canceling the old hosting plan.
- Keep a final backup of your site in case you need to reference it later.
18. Monitor Your Website Post-Migration
Use analytics tools to track your site's performance post-migration:
- Google Search Console: Monitor search rankings and indexation issues.
- Google Analytics: Track site traffic and engagement.
- Uptime monitoring tools: Set up alerts with UptimeRobot or Pingdom.
Conclusion
Migrating a WordPress website requires careful planning and execution. Following this structured checklist will help ensure minimal downtime, maintain SEO rankings, and prevent technical issues. A comprehensive post WordPress migration checklist includes essential tasks such as testing functionality and load times, reconfiguring SEO settings, implementing redirects, and reconnecting to analytics tools. Whether you’re switching hosting providers, moving to a new domain, or restructuring your site, thorough testing and monitoring will help keep everything running smoothly.
Natalia Barańska
Marketing Specialist
