How to Transfer WordPress Site to New Host

Moving your WordPress site to a new host doesn’t have to be stressful. This guide walks you through every step—from backing up your files and database to updating DNS settings—so your site stays live and intact. Follow along to ensure a smooth, error-free migration.

Key Takeaways

• Always back up your site first: Create full backups of your files and database before starting the transfer to prevent data loss.
• Use reliable migration tools: Plugins like All-in-One WP Migration or Duplicator simplify the process and reduce manual errors.
• Update your domain’s DNS settings: Point your domain to the new host after migration to ensure visitors reach the right server.
• Test your site thoroughly: Check all pages, links, forms, and plugins on the new host before making the site live.
• Avoid downtime with proper timing: Schedule the final DNS switch during low-traffic hours to minimize disruption.
• Keep your old site active temporarily: Leave the original site running until you confirm the new one works perfectly.
• Secure your new hosting environment: Install SSL, update passwords, and run security scans after migration.

Introduction: Why Move Your WordPress Site?

Switching web hosts might sound intimidating, but it’s often necessary. Maybe your current host is slow, overpriced, or lacks support. Or perhaps you’ve found a better deal with improved performance and features. Whatever your reason, transferring your WordPress site to a new host is totally doable—even if you’re not a tech expert.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to move your WordPress website safely, without losing content, breaking links, or causing downtime. We’ll cover everything from backups to DNS changes, using clear, beginner-friendly steps. By the end, your site will be running smoothly on its new home.

Step 1: Choose Your New Hosting Provider

Before moving anything, pick a reliable hosting provider that meets your needs. Look for:

Visual guide about How to Transfer WordPress Site to New Host

Image source: talkerscode.com

• Good uptime (99.9% or higher)
• Fast server speeds
• 24/7 customer support
• One-click WordPress installation
• Free SSL certificate

Popular options include SiteGround, Bluehost, Hostinger, and WP Engine. Once you’ve signed up, note your new server’s IP address or nameservers—you’ll need these later.

Step 2: Back Up Your Current WordPress Site

Never skip this step! A full backup ensures you can restore your site if something goes wrong.

Option A: Use a Backup Plugin

Plugins like UpdraftPlus or All-in-One WP Migration make backups easy. Install one, then:

1. Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Search for “UpdraftPlus” and install it.
3. Activate the plugin and go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups.
4. Click Backup Now and select “Files and database.”
5. Download the backup files to your computer or save them to cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.).

Option B: Manual Backup via FTP and phpMyAdmin

If you prefer manual control:

• Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) to download all files from your public_html folder.
• Log into your hosting control panel and open phpMyAdmin.
• Select your WordPress database, click Export, choose “Quick” and “SQL” format, then download.

Store both the files and database backup in a safe place.

Step 3: Set Up WordPress on the New Host

Most hosts offer one-click WordPress installs. Here’s how:

1. Log into your new hosting account.
2. Find the WordPress installer (usually under “Website” or “Apps”).
3. Follow the prompts to install WordPress on your domain (e.g., yourdomain.com).
4. Note the temporary admin username and password—you’ll change these later.

Once installed, access your new site at yourdomain.com/wp-admin. It should show the default “Hello World” post—this confirms WordPress is working.

Step 4: Transfer Your Files and Database

Now it’s time to move your content from the old site to the new one.

Using a Migration Plugin (Recommended)

If you used All-in-One WP Migration:

1. On your old site, go to All-in-One WP Migration > Export.
2. Choose “Export To File” and download the .wpress file.
3. On your new site, install and activate the same plugin.
4. Go to Import > Import From > File, upload your .wpress file.
5. Click “Import” and wait for completion.

The plugin will copy your themes, plugins, uploads, and database automatically.

Manual Transfer (Advanced)

If you backed up manually:

• Upload all your old WordPress files (except wp-config.php) to the new server via FTP.
• In phpMyAdmin on the new host, create a new database and user.
• Import your old SQL database file.
• Update the wp-config.php file on the new server with the new database name, username, and password.

Be careful with file permissions—most should be set to 644 (files) and 755 (folders).

Step 5: Update Site URLs and Fix Links

After migration, your site might still reference the old domain or server paths. Fix this:

Use a Search & Replace Tool

Install the Better Search Replace plugin on your new site:

1. Go to Plugins > Add New and search for it.
2. Activate it, then go to Tools > Better Search Replace.
3. Search for your old domain (e.g., http://olddomain.com) and replace it with the new one (https://yourdomain.com).
4. Run the replacement on all tables (especially wp_posts and wp_options).

This ensures all internal links, image URLs, and settings point to the correct location.

Step 6: Test Your New Site Thoroughly

Before going live, test everything:

• Visit your site at the new URL (you may need to edit your hosts file temporarily to preview it).
• Check all pages, posts, and menus.
• Test contact forms, login pages, and e-commerce functions (if applicable).
• Verify images and media are loading.
• Ensure plugins and themes are active and working.

If something’s broken, compare it with your old site and re-upload missing files or reconfigure settings.

Step 7: Update DNS Settings

Now it’s time to point your domain to the new host:

1. Log into your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
2. Find the DNS settings for your domain.
3. Replace the old nameservers with those provided by your new host (or update the A record to the new server’s IP address).
4. Save changes.

DNS propagation can take 24–48 hours. During this time, some visitors may see the old site, others the new one. That’s normal!

Step 8: Final Checks and Optimization

Once your site is live on the new host:

• Install an SSL certificate (most hosts offer free Let’s Encrypt SSL).
• Clear your browser cache and test the site again.
• Update your WordPress admin password and user profiles.
• Run a security scan using plugins like Wordfence.
• Set up regular backups on the new host.

Also, consider optimizing your site for speed—check out our guide on the best WordPress theme for SEO and speed to boost performance.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

White screen after migration? This usually means a PHP error. Enable debugging by adding define('WP_DEBUG', true); to your wp-config.php file.

Images not loading? Double-check file paths and run the search/replace tool again. Also, ensure your uploads folder has correct permissions.

Database connection errors? Verify your wp-config.php has the right database name, username, and password for the new host.

Plugin conflicts? Deactivate all plugins, then reactivate them one by one to find the culprit. For help managing themes, see our article on how to deactivate a theme in WordPress.

Conclusion

Transferring your WordPress site to a new host might seem daunting, but with the right steps, it’s straightforward and safe. By backing up your data, using migration tools, testing thoroughly, and updating DNS carefully, you’ll ensure a seamless transition. Remember: patience and attention to detail are key. Once your site is live on the new server, enjoy faster load times, better support, and peace of mind. And if you ever need to tweak your setup, don’t forget to explore our tips on how to update a theme on WordPress or how many plugins you should use for optimal performance.