WordPress Migration Plan Dev-Production Server (cPanel)

Tags: wordpress, wordpressmigration
Published: 2021-06-08 05:02:25

#WordPress Migration can be done in  several options some of the following are below.

##__Migration of WordPress Site Manually__

Following steps describes the migration process in case manual method

Step 1: Backup the  development WordPress Host (Development Server)
The first thing you need to do is make a copy of all your website’s files. To do this, you’ll want to use an FTP tool. If you don’t already have one, FileZilla is an excellent (and free) option.
After you connect to your site’s server via FTP, you’ll need to navigate to your WordPress root folder, which contains all the files on your site. It’s usually called either public_html or www, or is named after your site

![migrate wordpress site](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eb_0GdXlNHvRHvKQTs4LxF4ISJ4fFbMTJRqnrom1O5pqbflNG6mD1JTpojqluMuNja8o72BMRtlh2ytbN-CF9-uOzI6XCmlJOVfTP_3SMd89-5ylDeLa-abRjSbuKbpaZlB1Mk3D)



Step 3: Back Up Your WordPress Database
At this point, you already have a copy of your website’s files. Now you need to back up its database. This is where all the information about your site’s content, users, and lots more is contained.
To do this, you’ll need to access your database. Most web hosts enable you to do this through your control panel. For example, if you’re using cPanel, you’ll find a section called Databases. In that section, you’ll want to click on the phpMyAdmin option:


![Automatic vs Manual Site Migration - screenshot of cPanel](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/WSyD2cwHPJumM2t1ikgI8AlWBC3btk5UebYoPId_1OR38n1lVDcYoRmMlWPlQt3UVNUz2lUEWdN9cKrWvHIH2LldS0AXdr1AQX4-Pmsp2RSl0nuTy6y09n8VDihMddVUGiuJ3Jmf)


Once you’re in, choose your site’s database from the list on the left, and navigate to the Export tab using the top menu. Select the Quick option under Export Method, and hit Go:
This will download a copy of your site’s database in .sql format.

![database export in cPanel](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Tb1S9LQgeFAHiSpvIx9A081tw5tt08VPx3ROzVPNhpQ5pqfNVxIMKK54TYAzfmokAFHJbUCI-Pi9r1T1Tn7-6nYP5M2Egf7E9Fa4xKPVFAz4DDSkUZkPyojZN9YED-00FI0V1uwL)



Step 5: Create a New SQL Database and Import the Contents of Your Old One

Next, you have to create a new database on the web host you’re moving to. Then you’ll import the file from your old database, which will override the contents of the new one.
If your new WordPress host also uses cPanel, here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Go to the Databases section in cPanel, and choose the MySQL Databases option.
2. Create a new database and add a user to it from this same tab (and take note of the names you use for later).
3. Access the new database using phpMyAdmin, as you did during the previous step.
4. Go to the Import tab within the new database, and upload the .sql file you generated earlier.

That’s it! Now your old database is located on your new web host. However, you still need to re-upload the rest of your site’s files.

Step 6: Upload Your Site’s Files to the New Web Host

For this step, you’ll need to first log into your new server via FTP. Then, navigate to its root folder.
Right-click anywhere within that folder, and select the Upload option. Locate the folder you downloaded during the first step, open it, and select all the files and directories within.
The upload process can take a while, since we’re talking about hundreds of files. If you’re patient, however, you’ll soon find yourself almost at the end of the journey.


Step 7: Edit Your Site’s wp-config.php File

Once all your files are up on the new server, you’ll need to access your WordPress root folder one more time. If you try to actually visit your website now, it won’t work, because you need to update WordPress’ wp-config.php file so that it points towards your new database.

This will open the file using your local text editor, enabling you to make changes. Here are the three lines you’ll need to update:
`define('DB_NAME, 'db_name');`
`define('DB_USER, 'db_user');`
`define('DB_PASSWORD, 'db_pass');`


Step 8: Configure and Change Your DNS

Finally, you’ll need to make sure your Domain Name Server (DNS) is pointed towards the correct host. For example, if you are migrating to one of our hosting plans, you’ll need to point your DNS to your new WP Engine server. 
To do this, you’ll need two things: 

1. Information from your new host 
2. Access to the registrar where you purchased your domain name




##__How to Migrate Your WordPress Site With a Plugin__

When you need to migrate your website,  there are several excellent migration plugins available that can help many of these tools can create complete site backups for you, as well as providing recovery services. Additionally, if you only need to migrate part of your site, there are paid plugins that can customize the process to meet your needs.


All-in-One WP Migration


![move wp site to new host](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_Z-o94h7cu4-WphUA4RLcM97dJDGyCiMSzqYWq141CJqYO93FjrNFfYJ46wrTcXgI7XNWqv-M4PA9UN0NHqECd644PHvdn0TuKnQDfTqWrIv41pfMA3T2YWxU6kzlXDzI24HPPWf)


All-in-One WP Migration is one of the most streamlined backup and migration plugins you can find. It enables you to create copies of your site in minutes, and then import them to another WordPress installation using the same plugin. In our experience, it’s perfect for small websites, although it can struggle with larger installs.