The Complete Step-by-Step Guide for a Smooth Website Transfer
Migrating a WordPress website is often viewed as a nerve-wracking process. One wrong move and you could lose valuable data, break URLs, or suffer downtime impacting SEO. Yet, with a structured checklist and the right approach, migration can be a seamless journey from one host, server, or domain to another.
This guide provides a step-by-step WordPress migration checklist that ensures your site, design, and rankings all stay intact during the move.
What is WordPress Migration?
WordPress migration refers to moving your website from one environment to another—whether that’s between hosting providers, servers, local environments, or domains. Common migration scenarios include:
- Moving from shared hosting to managed WordPress hosting for better performance.
- Shifting from a local development environment to a live server.
- Changing domain names after rebranding.
- Transferring your site to a new server or data center.
Each of these transitions involves moving files, databases, and configurations carefully while ensuring URLs, SEO settings, and security remain consistent.
Why You Need a WordPress Migration Checklist
A migration checklist prevents common mistakes that can cause downtime, broken links, or missing content. By following a checklist, you can:
- Avoid losing customer data or content during server transfers.
- Maintain URL structures and SEO rankings post-migration.
- Identify potential compatibility or performance issues early.
- Validate every aspect of your new site before launch.
Think of this checklist as your flight plan. Every tick ensures you don’t miss a step before takeoff.
Step-by-Step WordPress Migration Checklist
1. Pre-Migration Preparation
Start with an audit of your current WordPress setup.
- Note your current WordPress version, PHP version, and active themes/plugins.
- Ensure all components are updated to minimize conflicts on the new server.
- Clean up unused themes, plugins, and media files to lighten the migration load.
Next, decide your migration method:
- Manual migration (via FTP and phpMyAdmin).
- Plugin-based migration (using tools like Duplicator, All-in-One WP Migration, or UpdraftPlus).
- Managed hosting migration (often offered for free by premium hosts such as WP Engine, Kinsta, or SiteGround).
Choosing the right method depends on your technical comfort, website complexity, and hosting environment.
2. Backup Your Website
Never proceed without a full backup. You need to secure both files and the database.
- Files: Use cPanel’s File Manager or FTP (FileZilla) to download /wp-content/, themes, plugins, and uploads.
- Database: Export your database using phpMyAdmin or a plugin like UpdraftPlus.
Store these backups separately in a safe cloud or local environment for emergency recovery.
3. Set Up the New Hosting Environment
Before moving, ensure your new hosting account is configured properly.
- Create a new database, database user, and assign necessary privileges.
- Install a fresh WordPress setup (if not migrating manually).
- Verify PHP, MySQL, and SSL configurations match your current setup.
If you are changing the domain name, ensure DNS records and SSL certificates are ready to avoid downtime.
4. Move WordPress Files and Database
For manual migration:
- Upload your files via FTP or File Manager to the new server.
- Import your database through phpMyAdmin into the newly created database.
- Update the wp-config.php file to reflect new database name, username, and password.
For plugin-based migration:
- Export and import your site package as guided by the plugin.
- Confirm automated links and URLs replaced correctly during import.
5. Update Domain and URL Settings
If your domain changes:
- Search and replace old URLs in your database using tools like “Better Search Replace.”
- Update the WordPress “Site URL” and “Home URL” under General Settings.
- Adjust internal links, menus, and media references.
- Add necessary redirects (301) to preserve SEO authority and existing backlinks.
If the domain remains the same but the server changes, only DNS propagation is needed.
6. Update DNS Records
Once the site files are migrated, point your domain to the new server.
- Update the A record in your domain registrar’s DNS panel to the new IP address.
- Allow 24–48 hours for DNS propagation.
During this time, minimize site edits to avoid missing updates.
7. Test the New Website Thoroughly
Testing is critical before going live.
- Check homepage, navigation, and internal links.
- Verify forms, popups, logins, search functionality, and checkout (if applicable).
- Compare page load times and inspect for missing images or broken CSS.
- Use tools such as Screaming Frog or SiteChecker for post-migration URL and SEO auditing.
Additionally, confirm plugins, contact forms, and custom scripts work as intended.
8. SEO Considerations After Migration
Maintaining SEO health post-migration is vital.
- Set up 301 redirects for old URLs if the domain or structure changed.
- Test with Google Search Console for crawl errors or missing pages.
- Submit a new sitemap to Google and Bing.
- Monitor organic traffic and indexing over the following weeks.
If possible, schedule the migration during off-peak hours to minimize SEO disruption.
9. Secure and Optimize the New Setup
After verifying functionality, fortify and optimize your site:
- Install an SSL certificate to ensure HTTPS encryption.
- Enable caching (via plugins like WP Super Cache or WP Rocket).
- Set up a CDN for faster asset distribution.
- Reinstall essential security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri.
- Back up the migrated site again on the new server.
A fresh backup creates a restore point for your newly migrated environment.
10. Post-Migration Cleanup
The final step ensures the old environment is clean and decommissioned safely.
- Disable the old hosting environment only after confirming the new one is stable.
- Update site integrations (email marketing tools, analytics, third-party APIs).
- Verify that emails (especially contact or transactional) are working properly.
- Inform stakeholders or clients about successful migration completion.
WordPress Migration Tools Worth Considering
A few reliable tools can simplify the process:
- Duplicator: Packages your entire site for hassle-free transfer.
- All-in-One WP Migration: Ideal for small to medium-sized sites.
- Migrate Guru: Offers server-level transfers with no file-size limitations.
- WPvivid Backup Plugin: Handle both backup and migration in one dashboard.
These plugins automate configuration matching and URL replacements, saving hours of manual work.
Common Migration Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to update site URLs, leading to broken links.
- Skipping full database backups before migration.
- Migrating during peak website traffic hours.
- Ignoring plugin or theme compatibility with the new server.
- Not testing redirects and SSL post-launch.
Learning from these missteps helps ensure uninterrupted uptime and user experience.
Wrapping Up
A well-planned WordPress migration checklist removes guesswork and reduces downtime from hours to minutes. Whether you’re shifting hosts, servers, or domains, following these steps ensures a secure, SEO-friendly transition with zero data loss.
Migration doesn’t have to be stressful—it just needs structure, attention, and a reliable safety net of backups.
FAQs About WordPress Migration
How long does a WordPress migration take?
It typically takes between 1 to 3 hours for medium-sized websites, depending on file size, server speed, and DNS propagation time.
Will I lose my data or SEO ranking during migration?
No, if you follow the checklist carefully—including backups, URL updates, and redirects—your data and rankings will remain intact.
Can I migrate my WordPress site without plugins?
Yes. Manual migration using FTP and phpMyAdmin is fully possible but requires technical knowledge of databases and file paths.
How do I ensure zero downtime during migration?
Perform migration on a staging environment and switch DNS only after testing. This ensures the live site stays functional until the new one is ready.
Is WordPress migration free?
Manual migrations are free. However, some plugin-based or managed hosting migrations may charge depending on data size and complexity.