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How to Easily Transfer a WordPress Website to the Right Host

May 19, 2023 By WP Helpline Off

I’m sure many of you out there are looking for ways to easily transfer a WordPress website to a new host. With the right information and a few simple steps you can do just that.

In this article, we will show you exactly what you need to know about moving your WordPress website to a new host.

Find Out The Necessary Details First

Before you begin moving your site take a few minutes to find out what information you need from the new host. This will help you create a transfer plan and avoid any unpleasant surprises later. Start by asking the web host you are considering moving to for the following details:

  • Server name
  • Domain name
  • Email
  • Credentials
  • Location (if different from the existing one)
  • Plan
  • CPU (Processor)
  • RAM (Random Access Memory)
  • PHP Version
  • MySQL Version
  • SSL Certificate
  • Nameservers
  • SSH Access (if not enabled by default)

Create A Plan

Now that you have the information you need from the new host it’s time to create a plan. You will need this plan to follow Step-by-step in order to move your site smoothly. Your plan should include all of the following details:

  • Action items
  • Schedule
  • Logistical details
  • Communications

Choose A Backup Host In Case Of Incidents

In most cases, transferring a WordPress website is a fairly straightforward process. However, occasionally things can go wrong and it is good practice to have a back-up plan in case something goes wrong. If you follow these steps, you will be able to restore your site easily:

  • On the day you are about to transfer your site, log in to your WordPress dashboard on the old host
  • Click on the Settings tab
  • From here, select the Tools option
  • Then select the Backup button
  • You will then be taken to a screen which allows you to select the type of backup you want to make (Usually, this is either a full or a partial backup)
  • Click on the Start button
  • Wait a few minutes for the backup to complete
  • Once it is done click on the Continue option
  • You will then be returned to the main WordPress dashboard
  • Click on the Restore button
  • Navigate to your old host’s backend
  • If all is well, you will see a success message
  • You can now visit your WordPress website with the new domain name

In case you encountered any problems during this process, you can always contact your host for assistance. They will be more than happy to help you out.

Step-by-step Instructions

Now that you have all the necessary information and a plan in place, it’s time to follow these steps to move your WordPress website to a new host smoothly and without any undue stress:

  1. On your old host, login to your WordPress dashboard
  2. Click on the Settings tab
  3. From here, select the Tools option
  4. Then select the FTP option
  5. You will then be taken to a screen which shows all the FTP servers your WordPress is currently installed on (These should be the first 3 servers in the list)
  6. Click on the Add Another Server button
  7. Fill in the details for the new host
  8. If everything is OK, click on the Connect button
  9. You will then be returned to the Settings page of WordPress where you can select the FTP servers you want to use for the transfer process
  10. Click on the Change button
  11. From here, you can select the server you just added (in our example, it’s server number 4)
  12. Make sure the IP address is correct
  13. Then click on the Connect button
  14. You will then be returned to the main WordPress dashboard
  15. Now that your WordPress is installed on the new host, it’s time to configure the settings. There are several steps involved in this process but it’s quite easy to do.
  16. From your WordPress dashboard, click on the Settings tab
  17. Then click on the General section
  18. Set the Time zone to your location (if it is different from the existing one)
  19. Set the Date format to your preference
  20. Set the Password for the administration area to a new (and strong) password
  21. Set the Site address (URL) to the new domain name
  22. Scroll down and set the Home page to the new site’s URL (the address of the homepage)
  23. Scroll down and set the Background image to the new site’s URL (the address of the homepage)
  24. Scroll down and set the Header image to the new site’s URL (the address of the homepage)
  25. Set the Featured image to the new site’s URL (the address of the homepage)
  26. Press the Save Changes button
  27. You will then be returned to the main WordPress dashboard
  28. From here, click on the Tools option
  29. Then select the Backup button
  30. You will then be taken to a screen which allows you to select the type of backup you want to make (Usually, this is either a full or a partial backup)
  31. Click on the Start button
  32. Wait a few minutes for the backup to complete
  33. Once it is done click on the Continue option
  34. You will then be returned to the main WordPress dashboard
  35. Click on the Restore button
  36. Navigate to your old host’s backend
  37. If all is well, you will see a success message
  38. You can now visit your WordPress website with the new domain name

That’s it! You’ve just followed the instructions successfully and are now able to enjoy your new site with the new domain name. If you keep all these guidelines in mind and follow them religiously, you will surely be able to enjoy the benefits of a fresh new site.

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