How to Move WordPress Website from Localhost to Destination Server
Some of us are blessed with wonderful locations close to our homes, that we could use to house a web server. Unfortunately, these home offices aren’t always equipped with all the necessary networking equipment, nor do they have the room to grow. This is where a virtual private network (VPN) comes in; you can use a VPN to create a secure connection between your local network and the location of your choice. In this article, we will discuss the different methods you can use to move your WordPress website from your localhost to your chosen destination server.
The Cloud Choice
The cloud choice is one that almost every business owner, bloggers, and website administrators can benefit from. With the cloud, all of the networking equipment and software you need is located somewhere else, so all you need to do is log in to access your files and content. While it can be tempting to try and keep everything local, for security reasons, the best option is to move your content to the cloud. This way, if your computer or device is ever breached, your information is still secure.
You may be wondering exactly what type of cloud service to use. The most popular and free option to consider is WordPress.com, owned by Automattic. This is a reliable and trusted source for all your blog needs, and since it’s free, you have nothing to lose. You can easily sign up for a free WordPress.com account here.
Rackspace Hosting
Another great option for those of us who are seeking a reliable and stable place to host our websites is the popular Rackspace. With Rackspace, you get a free dedicated IP that you can use to access your servers from anywhere. You also get a free domain name that you can use in conjunction with your dedicated IP address. Finally, you get free backups through their Cloud Backup service, which we will discuss in more detail further down the page.
Rackspace hosting is one of the most popular choices when it comes to building websites, as it’s reliability and security are unrivaled. In fact, they were initially founded for the purpose of providing high-quality data centers for webmasters seeking reliable and secure platforms to host their sites. This is a great option for those of us seeking a stable and trusted place to develop and launch our websites.
VPS Hosting
As the name implies, a virtual private server (VPS) provides you with the ability to run a private virtual machine (VM) on their equipment. In other words, you get to use their servers but you don’t have to share any resources with anyone else. This is perfect for those of us who seek the speed and resources of a dedicated server but don’t want to commit to a long-term rental agreement.
Let’s say you want to launch a new site or blog in 2017. You could rent a dedicated server from a company like DigitalOcean for $5 per month and use it to store and process all of your content. However, if you seek a more stable solution, you can try out a virtual private server provider like Linode. With Linode, you get a free VPS along with 12GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. This is all you need to get up and running quickly with a dedicated server alternative.
The Dedicated Server Choice
Dedicated servers are pretty self-explanatory; you pay for the resources you use. Naturally, this will vary based on the type of server you get and how long you need it for. You also need to take into consideration your desired location for accessing the server. For example, if you’re seeking a location in the United States, you’ll need to consider whether you want a national or a global connection.
Another key consideration regarding a dedicated server is how much daily traffic you’ll likely get. If your site gets a lot of traffic, you might want to look into buying a dedicated IP address from a reputable company like Bluehost. With a dedicated IP, you can prevent some of the DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks that plague so many other websites. (You can read more about DDoS attacks here).
A final consideration before making a decision about a dedicated server is cost. You have to remember that you’re paying for a resource so you might want to seek out some deals if you’re seeking a long-term solution.
Secure FTP
One of the simplest and most secure methods of moving a website to another server is to use Secure FTP. With Secure FTP, you can transfer files to and from your server without having to expose your computer to the internet. Naturally, you must have an internet connection to use this method, but it’s still one of the most reliable ways to move files quickly and securely. You can read more about Secure FTP here.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
FTP is the internet standard for transferring files. This is a good option for those of us seeking a stable, simple, and secure way to move our websites. In fact, the ftp.io website even lists all the pros and cons of FTP compared to other methods. As the name implies, FTP is an file transfer protocol, but as most of us know, it can also be used for browsing the web or even for downloading software. Simply type in ftp://username:password@example.com/ to enter your FTP account information. From there, you can navigate to the folder containing the files you want to move and click upload to begin the process.
The Importance Of Backups
Backups are an essential element of any well-crafted website or blog. If you ever make major changes to your site’s content or appearance, you’ll want to have a backup in case something goes wrong. This could be something as simple as a server crash or a hardware malfunction that causes permanent data loss. Regardless of the cause, a good backup plan can help you recover from a server meltdown without losing too much time or damage.
While we can’t guarantee that any of these methods will work for you, we do hope that this article will help you make the right decision for your own personal situation. Ideally, you’ll seek a virtual private network that supports your chosen hosting platform, has great customer service, and is easy to use. Additionally, you may want to consider purchasing a dedicated IP from a reputable company rather than going through a free VPN, as you can’t always be sure of the security measures taken by the company you’re using. For those seeking a more traditional approach, you can opt for a dedicated server or even move your site to the cloud; either way, you can rest assured that your data is safe and that you’re making the right choice for your situation. Last but not least, always make sure to back up your website before making any major changes; this way, you can be certain nothing will happen to your content.