How to Transfer a WordPress Site to Another Host (Without Breaking Anything)

Picture this: Your website is growing fast, but your current hosting provider can’t keep up. Pages load slowly, you’re hitting storage limits, and customer support takes forever to respond. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Thousands of WordPress users face this dilemma every day.

Maybe you’ve found a better hosting deal, need more reliable uptime, or want access to advanced features your current host doesn’t offer. Whatever your reason, you’ve decided it’s time to move. But here’s the thing that stops most people in their tracks: the fear of breaking their website during the transfer.

Here’s the good news: transferring a WordPress site to another host doesn’t have to be scary. With the right preparation and a clear step-by-step process, anyone can safely migrate their website without losing data or experiencing extended downtime.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to transfer a WordPress site to another host using a proven 6-step method. By the end, you’ll have successfully moved your site to a new home where it can thrive. Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Pre-Migration Preparation

Before you learn how to transfer a WordPress site to another host, proper preparation is crucial for a smooth migration. Think of this as packing for a big move – you wouldn’t just throw everything in boxes without a plan.

Choose and Set Up Your New Hosting Account

First, research and select your new hosting provider. Look for features that address why you’re leaving your current host:

• Better performance and uptime guarantees
• More storage and bandwidth
• Improved customer support
• Competitive pricing
• WordPress-specific optimizations

Once you’ve chosen, sign up for your new hosting account but don’t cancel your old one yet. You’ll need both active during the migration process.

Document Your Current Site’s Specifications

Before making any changes, document these important details:

• PHP version your site currently uses
• Active plugins and themes
• Current WordPress version
• Any custom configurations or special settings
• Email accounts associated with your domain

This information helps ensure your new host is configured correctly to run your site.

Check Your Domain and DNS Settings

Log into your domain registrar account and note:

• Current nameservers
• DNS records (A records, MX records, CNAME records)
• Domain expiration date

You’ll need this information when switching your domain to point to the new host.

Plan for Minimal Downtime

While some downtime is inevitable, you can minimize it by:

• Scheduling the migration during low-traffic hours
• Notifying your audience about potential temporary downtime
• Preparing a maintenance page if needed

Once your preparation is complete, you’re ready to begin the actual transfer process.

Step 2: Creating and Downloading Your Site Backup

The foundation of learning how to transfer a WordPress site to another host safely is creating a complete backup. This backup serves as your safety net – if anything goes wrong, you can restore your site exactly as it was.

Method 1: Using Backup Plugins (Recommended for Beginners)

UpdraftPlus is one of the most popular backup plugins because it’s user-friendly and reliable:

1. Install UpdraftPlus from your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups
3. Click “Backup Now”
4. Select both “Include your files in the backup” and “Include your database in the backup”
5. Click “Backup Now” again to start the process

The plugin will create separate files for your database, plugins, themes, uploads, and other WordPress files. Download all of these files to your computer.

BackWPup is another excellent option that offers similar functionality with more advanced scheduling options.

Method 2: Manual Backup via cPanel

If your hosting provider uses cPanel, you can create backups manually:

For Files:

1. Access your cPanel File Manager
2. Navigate to your website’s root directory (usually public_html)
3. Select all WordPress files
4. Create a compressed archive (ZIP format)
5. Download the archive to your computer

For Database:

1. Open phpMyAdmin in cPanel
2. Select your WordPress database
3. Click the “Export” tab
4. Choose “Quick” export method and “SQL” format
5. Click “Go” to download the database file

Method 3: Using Your Hosting Provider’s Backup Tools

Many hosting providers offer built-in backup tools:

• Look for “Backup” or “Backup Wizard” in your hosting control panel
• Follow your host’s specific instructions to create a full site backup
• Download the backup files to your computer

What Files to Include

Your complete backup should include:

• wp-content folder: Contains themes, plugins, and uploaded media
• wp-config.php: Contains database connection settings
• .htaccess file: Contains URL rewriting rules
• Database export: Contains all your posts, pages, comments, and settings

Verify Your Backup

Before proceeding, verify your backup is complete:

• Check file sizes to ensure they’re reasonable
• Open the database file in a text editor to confirm it contains data
• Make sure you can extract compressed files without errors

With your backup secured, it’s time to prepare your new hosting environment.

Step 3: Setting Up Your New Hosting Environment

Preparing your new host properly is a critical step when you transfer a WordPress site to another host. Your new hosting environment needs to be ready to receive your WordPress files and database.

Create a New Database

Most hosting providers use cPanel or similar control panels:

1. Log into your new hosting account’s control panel
2. Find the “MySQL Databases” or “Databases” section
3. Create a new database with a memorable name
4. Create a database user with a strong password
5. Assign the user to the database with full privileges
6. Write down the database name, username, and password – you’ll need these later

Check Server Requirements

Verify your new host meets WordPress requirements:

• PHP version: 7.4 or higher (check what version your current site uses)
• MySQL version: 5.6 or higher
• Memory limit: At least 128MB (256MB or higher recommended)
• File permissions: Properly configured for WordPress

Most reputable hosting providers meet these requirements, but it’s worth confirming.

Prepare the File Structure

If you’re using the primary domain on your new host:

• Your files will go in the public_html folder (or similar)
• Clear out any placeholder files your host may have installed

If you’re using a subdomain or addon domain:

• Create the appropriate folder structure
• Ensure proper permissions are set

Test FTP/File Manager Access

Confirm you can upload files to your new host:

• Test FTP credentials if using an FTP client
• Verify File Manager access in your hosting control panel
• Upload a small test file to ensure everything works

Now that your new environment is ready, let’s move your content over.

Step 4: Uploading Files and Importing Database

This step in how to transfer a WordPress site to another host involves moving your actual content and data. Take your time here – rushing can lead to errors that are time-consuming to fix.

Upload Your WordPress Files

Using File Manager (Easiest Method):

1. Access your new host’s File Manager
2. Navigate to your website’s root directory
3. Upload your backup archive (ZIP file)
4. Extract the archive directly on the server
5. Move WordPress files to the correct location if needed

Using FTP Client:

1. Connect to your new host using FTP credentials
2. Navigate to the correct directory
3. Upload all WordPress files and folders
4. This method takes longer but gives you more control

Important File Upload Tips:

• Upload files in batches if you have a large site
• Don’t interrupt the upload process
• Verify file counts match your backup
• Pay special attention to the wp-content folder (it’s usually the largest)

Import Your Database

Using phpMyAdmin:

1. Access phpMyAdmin on your new host
2. Select the database you created earlier
3. Click the “Import” tab
4. Choose your database backup file
5. Click “Go” to start the import

Handling Large Database Files:
If your database is large (over 50MB), you may need to:

• Use your hosting provider’s specialized import tools
• Split the database file into smaller chunks
• Increase upload limits temporarily (ask your host for help)

Update wp-config.php

Your wp-config.php file contains database connection settings that need updating:

1. Open wp-config.php in a text editor
2. Find these lines and update them with your new database information:define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘your_new_database_name’);
   define(‘DB_USER’, ‘your_new_database_user’);
   define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘your_new_database_password’);
   define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’); // Usually localhost, but check with your host
3. Save the file and upload it to your new server

Verify File Integrity

After uploading everything:

• Check that all major folders are present (wp-admin, wp-content, wp-includes)
• Verify file sizes are reasonable
• Ensure critical files like wp-config.php and .htaccess are in place

With your files uploaded, you’ll need to update some important settings.

Step 5: Updating URLs and Configuration

To complete your WordPress site transfer to another host, you must update URLs and key configurations. WordPress stores your site URL in multiple places, and these need to be updated to match your new hosting environment.

Update WordPress URLs in the Database

WordPress stores your site URL in the wp_options table. You need to update these entries:

Method 1: Using phpMyAdmin

1. Access phpMyAdmin on your new host
2. Select your WordPress database
3. Find the wp_options table
4. Look for these rows:
   • siteurl: Change this to your new site URL
   • home: Change this to your new site URL

Method 2: Using Search and Replace Tools
The Better Search Replace plugin makes this process easier:

1. Install the plugin on your new site
2. Go to Tools > Better Search Replace
3. Enter your old URL in “Search for”
4. Enter your new URL in “Replace with”
5. Select “Run as dry run?” to test first
6. Run the replacement when you’re confident

Handle Serialized Data

WordPress stores some data in serialized format, which requires special handling. Search and replace tools typically handle this automatically, but manual database edits may break serialized data.

Update .htaccess File

Your .htaccess file may contain old URL references:

1. Open your .htaccess file
2. Look for any hard-coded URLs pointing to your old host
3. Update these to reflect your new domain/host
4. If you’re unsure, you can regenerate permalinks in WordPress admin

Configure Email Settings

Your new host may have different email server settings:

• Update SMTP settings if you use email plugins
• Test contact forms to ensure they work
• Check that WordPress admin emails are being delivered

Update Plugin Configurations

Some plugins store absolute URLs in their settings:

• Review caching plugin settings
• Check SEO plugin configurations
• Update any plugins that reference your old domain

Test Internal Links and Media

• Click through your website to test internal links
• Check that images and media files are loading
• Verify that your WordPress admin area is accessible

Before going live, thorough testing ensures everything works correctly.

Step 6: Testing and Going Live

The final phase of learning how to transfer a WordPress site to another host involves testing and switching your domain. Don’t rush this step – thorough testing prevents problems after you go live.

Test Using Temporary Methods

Before updating DNS, test your site using these methods:

Method 1: Temporary URL
Many hosts provide a temporary URL like:

• yoursite.tempurl.com
• server123.hostingcompany.com/~yourusername

Use this URL to browse your entire site and test functionality.

Method 2: Hosts File Editing
Edit your computer’s hosts file to preview the site:

1. Find your hosts file:
   • Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
   • Mac/Linux: /etc/hosts
2. Add a line: your_new_server_ip yourdomain.com
3. Save the file and clear your browser cache
4. Visit your domain to see the new version

Comprehensive Testing Checklist

Test these critical elements:

• Homepage loads correctly
• All main pages are accessible
• Navigation menus work properly
• Contact forms submit successfully
• Search functionality works
• User registration/login (if applicable)
• Shopping cart and checkout (for e-commerce sites)
• Admin dashboard is accessible
• Plugins function as expected

Performance Testing

Compare your new site’s performance:

• Use tools like GTmetrix or Pingdom
• Test page load speeds
• Check mobile responsiveness
• Verify that performance improvements are noticeable

Update DNS Settings

When you’re confident everything works:

1. Log into your domain registrar account
2. Find DNS management or nameserver settings
3. Update nameservers to your new host’s values, typically something like:
   • ns1.newhostingprovider.com
   • ns2.newhostingprovider.com
4. Save the changes

Important: DNS changes can take 24-48 hours to propagate worldwide. During this time, some visitors may see your old site while others see the new one.

Monitor the Migration

After updating DNS:

• Check your website every few hours
• Monitor for error reports from users
• Keep an eye on website analytics for traffic drops
• Test email functionality once DNS propagates

Set Up Redirects (Optional)

If your old hosting account is still active, set up redirects:

• Create a simple redirect from your old host to your new one
• This catches any visitors who haven’t received the DNS update yet

With successful testing complete, let’s address common issues you might encounter.

Step 7: Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even when following best practices for how to transfer a WordPress site to another host, you may encounter some challenges. Here are the most common issues and their solutions:

White Screen of Death

Symptoms: Your website shows a blank white page instead of content.

Solutions:

1. Check error logs in your hosting control panel
2. Increase memory limit in wp-config.php:ini_set(‘memory_limit’, ‘256M’);
3. Deactivate all plugins by renaming the plugins folder, then reactivate one by one
4. Switch to a default theme temporarily to isolate the issue

Database Connection Errors

Symptoms: “Error establishing a database connection” message.

Solutions:

1. Double-check wp-config.php database credentials
2. Verify database exists on your new host
3. Test database connection using phpMyAdmin
4. Contact your hosting provider if credentials are correct but connection fails

Missing Images or Broken Media Links

Symptoms: Images don’t load or show broken image icons.

Solutions:

1. Check file permissions on the wp-content/uploads folder (should be 755 or 644)
2. Verify upload folder structure matches your backup
3. Update image URLs using search and replace tools
4. Re-upload missing media files if necessary

Plugin Conflicts and Compatibility Issues

Symptoms: Specific features don’t work, error messages, or site instability.

Solutions:

1. Deactivate all plugins and test site functionality
2. Reactivate plugins one by one to identify problematic ones
3. Check plugin compatibility with your new PHP version
4. Update plugins to their latest versions
5. Find alternative plugins if current ones aren’t compatible

Performance Problems on New Host

Symptoms: Site loads slower than expected despite better hosting specs.

Solutions:

1. Clear all caching (browser cache, plugin cache, CDN cache)
2. Optimize database using plugins like WP-Optimize
3. Check server resources and PHP configuration
4. Review new host’s caching options
5. Contact hosting support for performance optimization tips

SSL Certificate and Mixed Content Warnings

Symptoms: Security warnings, “Not Secure” indicators, or mixed content errors.

Solutions:

1. Install SSL certificate through your hosting provider
2. Update WordPress URLs to use https:// instead of http://
3. Fix mixed content issues by updating internal links to use HTTPS
4. Use plugins like SSL Insecure Content Fixer for automatic fixes

Email Delivery Problems

Symptoms: Contact forms don’t work, WordPress admin emails aren’t received.

Solutions:

1. Configure SMTP settings using plugins like WP Mail SMTP
2. Update email server settings in your hosting control panel
3. Test email delivery using your host’s webmail interface
4. Check spam folders for missing emails

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned how to transfer a WordPress site to another host using our comprehensive 6-step process. Let’s recap what you’ve accomplished:

1. Prepared thoroughly by choosing a new host and documenting your current setup
2. Created complete backups using plugins or manual methods
3. Set up your new hosting environment with proper database and file configurations
4. Uploaded files and imported your database to the new server
5. Updated URLs and configurations to work with your new host
6. Tested everything thoroughly before going live with DNS changes

By following these steps carefully, you’ve successfully migrated your WordPress site while minimizing downtime and avoiding data loss. Your site is now running on a hosting platform that better meets your needs – whether that’s improved performance, better support, cost savings, or enhanced features.

Key Benefits You’ve Achieved

• Improved website performance with better hosting infrastructure
• Enhanced reliability and uptime for your visitors
• Better value from more competitive hosting pricing
• Access to advanced features your old host didn’t provide
• Peace of mind knowing you can handle future migrations confidently

Your Next Steps

1. Monitor your site closely for the first week after migration
2. Update any bookmarks or documentation with new hosting account details
3. Cancel your old hosting account once you’re confident everything works perfectly (usually after 30 days)
4. Set up regular backups on your new host to protect your investment
5. Explore new features your hosting provider offers to optimize your site further

Keep Learning

Website migration is a valuable skill that becomes easier with practice. Consider documenting your experience and keeping this guide handy for future reference. Many WordPress users find they need to migrate sites multiple times as their needs evolve.

Remember: Regular backups are your best insurance policy. Schedule automatic backups and test them periodically to ensure you’re always prepared for any situation.

Your WordPress site is now successfully running on its new host, ready to serve your audience better than ever before. Well done!

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Meta Title: How to Transfer WordPress Site to Another Host (Complete Guide)

Meta Description: Learn how to transfer a WordPress site to another host safely with this step-by-step guide. Includes troubleshooting tips and best practices for migration.