Migrate Your WordPress Website to a New Server

Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let me take you through the process of migrating your WordPress website to a new server. You might be thinking, “That sounds complicated!” But trust me, it’s not as hard as it sounds. Let’s break it down step by step, with a bit of humor along the way. Ready? Here we go!

Step 1: Meet Your Old Server — The Starting Point

First, we start with your old server. Think of it as the reliable ship that’s been carrying your site so far, but it’s time for a change.

1. Log in to the Current Server:
   Start by logging into your old server’s control panel. This is where all the magic happens.
2. Go to the File Manager:
   This is where you’ll find the files that make your website run. We need to grab a couple of important files from here.
3. Download the wp-content Folder:
   The wp-content folder is the heart of your WordPress site. It holds your themes, plugins, and media uploads. Download it to your computer for safekeeping.
4. Check the wp-config.php:
   Open the wp-config.php file and note down the database name (DB_NAME). This is your map to the database.
5. Export the Database in phpMyAdmin:
   Go to phpMyAdmin and export your database in SQL format. This will make sure you don’t lose any data when moving to the new server.

Once everything is packed — the wp-content folder and database — we’re ready to jump to the new server!

Step 2: Enter the New Server — The New Adventure Begins

Now we’ve arrived at the new server. This is where the fun begins — your website’s new home!

1. Log in to the New Server:
   Log in to the control panel of your new server and get ready to set things up.
2. Back up the Entire public_html or htdocs Folder:
   Before we make any changes, let’s back up the public_html (or htdocs) folder. It’s always good to have a backup just in case.
3. Replace the wp-content Folder:
   Now, upload the wp-content folder you downloaded from the old server. This is the part where your website’s theme, plugins, and uploads come to life on the new server.
4. Update the wp-config.php:
   Don’t forget to update the wp-config.php file with the new database name. This ensures your site knows where to find its database.
5. Export the Database for Safety:
   Go to phpMyAdmin on the new server and export the current database for backup. This will give you a safety net in case anything goes wrong.
6. Drop the Old Tables (Don’t Worry, It’s Safe!):
   Now, clear the old tables in the database. This helps avoid any duplicate issues later on. Don’t worry — we’ll be importing the correct database soon.
7. Import the Old Database:
   Upload the SQL file you exported from the old server into the new database. This will restore your website’s content and structure on the new server.

Step 3: Time to Update the URLs — Your Website’s New Identity

Now that your website is set up on the new server, it’s time to update any old URLs, especially if you’ve changed domains.

1. Update the wp_options Table:
   In phpMyAdmin, go to the wp_options table and replace the old URL with the new one. This will make sure your site points to the right address.
2. Install the Better Search Replace Plugin:
   This plugin will help you quickly replace all instances of the old URL across your entire site. Install and activate it.
3. Run the Plugin to Update All URLs:
   Use Better Search Replace to replace the old URL with the new one everywhere on your site. It’s a simple way to ensure nothing gets left behind.

Step 4: Test the Site — Is the New Server Ready?

Before we wrap things up, let’s make sure everything is working properly on the new server.

1. Log in to the New Admin Panel:
   Log in to the admin panel of your new site and check if everything looks good. You want to make sure you have access and can make changes if needed.
2. Check the Site:
   Visit the front end of your site and test everything — pages, posts, images, and links. If everything is working smoothly, you’ve done it!
3. Troubleshooting:
   If something’s not right, don’t panic. Double-check your URL settings, make sure the database import was successful, and confirm you uploaded the right files.

Conclusion: You Did It — The Migration is Complete!

And just like that, you’ve successfully migrated your WordPress site to its new server! Congratulations! What once seemed like a daunting task is now behind you. Take a moment to relax and enjoy the smooth sailing of your website on its new home.

So, have you ever migrated a website before? What was your biggest challenge? Or maybe you’ve got a tip or two to share? Drop a comment below and let’s chat — I’d love to hear your stories!