What's the easiest way to MOVE a Wordpress site??

by 46 replies
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Hi guys,

Let's say we build a Wordpress site on abcd.com.

Now we want to move the entire site to wxyz.com.

What's the best and easiest way to do this?

Thanks!
#website design #easiest #move #site #wordpress
  • Here is what you do to move it:

    (A) Make a copy:

    1 - Copy all of the files using your FTP or SFTP client. Another quick way of doing this is to use your File Manager (if you have a CPanel or similar control panel) and compress the whole HTML root directory into a Zip or TAR file, then download it.

    2 - Make a backup of the MySQL database associated with the site, download it as a .sql file

    Now to move it to another site:

    1 - Restore the copied files to the HTML root of the new site. Again either use FTP/SFTP or use the File Manager and extract the archive file you made in the first step.

    2- Create a new MySQL database and database user, give the user sufficient permission on the database. Make note of the database name, user name and password.

    3 - Make a copy of the .sql file you made earlier. Now open this copy in a good text editor like PS Pad, BlueFish or Notepad++.

    4 - Do a "search and replace", replacing all instances of "abcd.com" with "wxyz.com" - in other words change all your domain name references. Save the file.

    5 - Import the file you just saved into your new MySQL database.

    6 - On the new site edit the wp-config.php file to adjust the database name, username and password to match the new one.


    And that's all there is to it!


    Bill
    • [ 4 ] Thanks
    • [2] replies
    • I was about to reply to this thread, but Bill beat me to the punch! If you follow his exact instructions, you shouldn't have any problems moving the site. Keep in mind you're most likely exporting/importing the database via phpMyAdmin.
    • [DELETED]
    • You havent left anything more to say. Really appreciated.
  • Wow, I very much appreciate the detailed reply (thank you!) but eek!

    Is that really the easiest way ??
    • [2] replies
    • It's really not that hard, he just replied with very detailed steps on how to do this.

      All you need to do is copy the files and export the database from Server A.

      From there, you upload the same files to Server B. He outlined how to update the SQL database via Notepad (or any text editor) to avoid doing so with phpMyAdmin, which is then imported on Server B as well. That's pretty much just updating any instances of olddomain.com or /old/path/from/server/a/ in the database so the site properly functions on the new domain and server.

      It's really not that hard at all, give it a try!
      • [2] replies
    • If you told that the steps are not easy then you should hire a professional too do this job.
  • In addition to the above, you will also need to change the path of the wordpress directory...from the old host to the new host, or else some plugins might not work.

    And yes, this is the "easiest" way to move.
  • Actually, the easiest way by far is to use BackupBuddy (not an affiliate link). You can migrate a site with a few clicks. Not free, but worth the price if your time is valuable.

    Steve
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • And a recent WSO - still valid I think - offers a plugin that will backup/move a site. It's called Backup Creator - $7 it cost me.
  • Okay, thanks guys!
  • Yeah, I hear ya. Thanks...
  • PM me, Would do it for a testimonial, I am launching a service for something similar to this for wordpress
  • Got your PM, Can't reply there, so I will reply here, it is a service about doing some wordpress stuff, it is about wordpress only. if you want some examples of wordpress sites I made just tell me in PM or give me a contact method
  • [DELETED]
  • I agree that BackupBuddy is the EASIEST way but there are also free WordPress plugins that will do most of this as well.

    For me personally BackupBuddy is a HUGE time saver simply because of the volume of sites that need to be transferred to new domains or subdomains. Makes the process super simple and saves loads of time.

    However, it is always a good idea that you also know how to do this manually in case you ever need to. Also, if a glitch does happen, you can easily figure it out. Usually when I encounter a 'glitch' it is because I didn't change the information in the wp-config file or the htaccess file can also cause problems.

    Hope this helps, Leah
  • Your host should do this for free of cost. It is not a big deal to move the WP site from one domain to other.
  • Hi Fellow Austinite

    Yes, you can jsut edit it in notepad.

    The Database name, database username and password are the values you change here.

    Nine times out of ten, localhost will stay localhost. Your new host will tell you if it needs to be something else.

    I'd keep a copy with your original settings too, just in case.


    / ** MySQL settings - You can get this info from your web host ** //
    /** The name of the database for WordPress */
    define('DB_NAME', 'putyourdbnamehere');

    /** MySQL database username */
    define('DB_USER', 'usernamehere');

    /** MySQL database password */
    define('DB_PASSWORD', 'yourpasswordhere');

    /** MySQL hostname */
    define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
  • Apparently I'm unable to PM because I have less than 50 posts. If I upgrade to War Room then I should be able to PM right?
    • [1] reply
    • Hi Stephanie...

      Yes you can pm if you upgrade. Also, i think, when you've don 50 replies on the board.
  • [DELETED]
  • Banned
    [DELETED]
  • Just a note: if you are moving from a cpanel to a cpanel site, you can usually ask your new hosts to move it for you, give them your old user/pass and... whoosh... it's done.
    • [1] reply
    • Which host do you use? I'm on Bluehost but haven't heard of this feature. That would be nice...
  • I have to agree... BackupBuddy is an absolute must!!

    I use it on all my sites and it works a charm!
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  • If you use cPanel you could actually take a cPanel backup and then restore it completely Or you gotto follow what Bill said.
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  • Just finished my site move....thanks for the tips here, really helped me out!
  • You should check out ManageWP.com

    You can move your site easily with just few clicks, manage bunch of your site from one location, and some other stuff... plus it's still free I believe.
  • The easiest way to move a Wordpress site:

    • Shutdown the server and then unplug it.
    • Pack the server in a box. Make sure to use lots of packing peanuts.
    • Have the box with the server shipped to the new location. I use UPS.
    • At the new location, unpack the box, plug in the server, and power it on.
    • Modify DNS settings.
    That's all you have to do.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • This is awesome. Thank you! But do we have to use UPS ??
  • I can't tell if you're being sarcastic...
    • [1] reply
  • Banned
    lookup movebuddy. Many posts here about it.
    • [1] reply
    • I know this thread is a little old now but I just wanted to say thanks.
      I had a Wordpress website that I had created on a test domain and wanted to move to a new one which had an old website on it. I was a little nervous about the transfer because someone had said it was not easy for a beginner. (I'm not a Wordpress beginner just a migration beginner!)

      I signed up for the 30 day free trial with managewp.com as recommended above and I can't believe how easy it was to move.

      I deleted the old site. Installed Wordpress with Fantastico and within literally 1 minute the new site was up - exactly as it should look on the new domain.

      I am ecstatic AND I have found a new toy to play with because I love managewp.com!! I can now use it to update all the sites I manage quickly and easily.

      Brilliant!! Thank you!
  • I usually use backupbuddy. This plugin does great.
  • HI Soundsgood,

    did you see this thread : http://www.warriorforum.com/warriors...er-server.html

    just PM me.

    thanks
  • I was about to reply for help but I guess these guys have already helped you out..
    haha.. Anyways.. Im just new to wordpress myself so I still lack some info about it..
  • WOWWWW :O so many answers with no easy solution ... :|
    Man!! i hate to work JUST install Backupbuddy or duplicator plugin then just click on backup button and you are done it will take your files and database backup then 2nd thing what you need to do is access your hosting & place backup files there... let me actually break it down a little
    It will give you 2 files most probably one will be your backup zip 2nd installer.php

    now do the below steps:

    www.YourWebsite.com / installer.php

    rest you will understand once you will reach on that installer page everything is already written there.
  • In your control panel, head voer to your file manager, then go to your public_html file folder. Backup a copy on your site at abcd.com. Back a copy of its database also.

    Create a folder for wxyz.com and paste all the backup files into it. Create a new database, user and password. Restore your db and change your wpconfig.php file with your new database name, user and password. Install a search and replace plugin and replace abcd.com with wxyz.com.

    Or if you are transferring to a different web host, just take advantage on the free site transfer service of your new web host.

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