This document provides instructions for migrating a WordPress site to a new hosting provider. It recommends migrating for reasons like site growth, slow performance, or hosting problems. The main steps outlined are: transferring files and database, reconfiguring WordPress settings, testing the migration, and changing nameservers. Plugins are suggested to simplify the process, but manual migration steps are also covered, including exporting/importing the database and files, editing wp-config.php, and testing before changing domain nameservers. Tips are included like planning downtime, setting a maintenance page, using remote MySQL, and communicating with hosting support.

1. HRISTO PANDJAROV
WORDPRESS EXPERT AT
www.slideshare.net/siteground
@pandjarov

2. WORDPRESS
MIGRATION 101

4. MIGRATE YOUR WORDPRESS
SITE BECAUSE:
Your site is growing bigger
Your site is slow
You have hosting problems
You can save some money

5. THE PROCESS OF MIGRATING
A WORDPRESS WEBSITE

6. THE PROCESS OF MIGRATING
A WORDPRESS WEBSITE
Transfer your WordPress files
Transfer your Database
Reconfigure WordPress
Test the migration
Point your domain to the new server

7. DON’T BE SCARED TO MIGRATE!

8. THE EASIEST WAY:
USE PLUGINS TO MIGRATE
BackupBuddy (paid)
WordPress Duplicator
WP Migrate DB Pro (paid)
All-in-One WP Migration

9. IF PLUGINS CAN’T HANDLE IT,
DO IT MANUALLY!

10. STEP 1: TRANSFER YOUR FILES
Compress files before transfer
Download directly to the new server
Request a site archive from your old hosting provider
Request this file to be downloaded from your new host

11. STEP 2.1: EXPORT DATABASE
Check in wp-config.php which DB you’re using:
define('DB_NAME', ‘user_wrdp1’);
Or export the database using phpMyAdmin
Or use SSH to export your database:
mysqldump -uUSER -pPASS user_wrdp1 > db-backp.sql
Compress the .sql file
Download from the new server
Ask your old hosting provider for a DB dump file
Ask your new hosting provider to download that file

12. STEP 2.2: IMPORT DATABASE
Make a new MySQL Database & Username
Grant permissions for that DB to the MySQL user
Or use phpMyAdmin to import it
Or use SSH to do this:
mysql -uNEWUSER -pNEWPASS user_newdb < db-backup.sql
Ask the hosting support to import the .sql file into that DB

13. STEP 3: RECONFIGURE WP
Connect to the new DB editting wp-config.php:
define('DB_NAME', 'user_newdb');
define('DB_USER', 'user_newuser');
define('DB_PASSWORD', ‘newpassword’);
Managed hosting companies often add lines to your wp-config.
php file:
$varnish=array ( 0 => 'pod-1191', );
$memcached_servers=array (155.2.4.1 );
define( ‘ROOT_FOLDER', '/nas/wp' );

14. STEP 4: TEST THE TRANSFER
Use a hosts file to test the transfer:
Linux & Mac: /etc/hosts
Windows: c:/Windows/System32/drivers/etc/hosts
181.224.135.19 domain.com www.domain.com

15. STEP 5: POINT YOUR DOMAIN
Change the nameservers to your new server ones

16. TIPS AND TRICKS

17. PLAN THE TRANSFER
Use Google Analytics to detect when your site is least visited

18. SETUP A MAINTENANCE PAGE
Install a maintenance plugin on your old hosting account
http://goo.gl/8p778d

19. USE REMOTE MYSQL
CONNECTION
Connect your OLD server WordPress to your new database
Edit wp-config.php and change:
define('DB_HOST', ‘localhost');
to:
define('DB_HOST', '184.154.235.13');

20. COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR
HOST
Transfer from one cPanel account to another is very easy
Import/export of databases and zipping archives can be
done easier by the hosting provider support