Move Your WordPress Site Safely: 2025 Migration Guide for Beginners

Introduction

Migrating a WordPress website might sound complicated, but it’s something almost every website owner faces at least once. Whether you’re upgrading to a better host, changing servers, or improving site performance, moving your WordPress site safely is essential to keep your visitors, SEO, and content intact.

There are several reasons why you might need to migrate your WordPress website. Some of the most common ones include slow website speed, poor customer support, high hosting costs, or frequent downtime on your current server. You might also migrate when switching from shared hosting to VPS or cloud hosting for better scalability.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to migrate your WordPress site step-by-step—from preparing backups and exporting files to uploading them to your new host and updating your domain settings. The goal is to help you move your website smoothly and securely, without data loss or long downtime. For more info: Everything You Need to Know: Pros and Cons of Using Webflow

Before You Begin: Pre-Migration Checklist

Before starting the migration, it’s important to prepare properly. A few simple steps will help prevent major issues later:

1. Backup your entire WordPress website
Before making any changes, create a complete backup of your site, including files, database, and media uploads. You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus, All-in-One WP Migration, or Duplicator to make the process easier. Keep a local copy stored safely in case something goes wrong.

2. Check your current WordPress version and plugin compatibility
Make sure your new hosting environment supports the same PHP version, WordPress version, and MySQL database requirements. Outdated plugins or incompatible themes can cause errors after migration, so update everything before moving.

3. Note down DNS, domain, and email settings
You’ll need your current DNS records, domain registrar login, and email configuration details to ensure everything connects properly after migration. Skipping this step can cause downtime or lost emails.

4. Disable caching and maintenance plugins temporarily
Caching plugins like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache can interfere with migration by storing outdated files. Turn them off before starting the move, and re-enable them once the site is live on the new host.

Choosing the Right New Web Host (2025 Tips)

When migrating your WordPress website, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right hosting provider. A reliable host ensures your site runs smoothly, loads fast, and stays secure. In 2025, with increasing web traffic and new hosting technologies, picking the right host matters more than ever.

What to Look for in a Reliable WordPress Host

Before selecting a host, focus on these key factors:

Speed and performance – Choose a host with SSD storage, CDN support, and optimized servers for WordPress.
Uptime guarantee – Look for at least 99.9% uptime to ensure your website stays accessible.
Customer support – 24/7 live chat or ticket support is essential, especially during or after migration.
Security – Features like automatic backups, malware scanning, and SSL certificates help protect your site.
Scalability – As your website grows, you may need more resources. Pick a host that makes upgrading easy.
Data center locations – Select a provider with servers close to your target audience for faster load times.

Recommended Hosts for 2025

Here are some trusted and high-performing hosts for WordPress websites in 2025:

SiteGround – Known for excellent speed, top-tier support, and built-in caching tools.
Hostinger – Affordable and beginner-friendly with great uptime and LiteSpeed technology.
Cloudways – Perfect for developers and growing businesses; offers managed cloud hosting with scalable resources.
WPX Hosting – Premium performance host with fast load times and 24/7 expert support.
Kinsta – Managed Google Cloud hosting built for professional WordPress sites with high security and speed.

Managed vs Shared vs Cloud Hosting

Shared hosting is cost-effective and ideal for beginners or small blogs, but it may slow down during high traffic.
Managed WordPress hosting includes updates, backups, and optimization handled by experts—best for business sites.
Cloud hosting offers flexibility, high uptime, and scalability, suitable for large or rapidly growing websites.

When migrating, think long-term. A cheap plan might save money now but can cause performance issues later. Investing in quality hosting ensures stability, security, and faster loading speeds.

Method 1: Migrate Using a Plugin (Easiest Way)

One of the fastest and safest ways to move your website is by using a WordPress migration plugin. These tools automate most of the technical steps, making it beginner-friendly.

Step-by-Step: Using a Migration Plugin

Install the plugin on your old site
Choose a trusted migration plugin like All-in-One WP Migration, Duplicator, or UpdraftPlus. Go to your WordPress dashboard → Plugins → Add New, then search, install, and activate the plugin.
Export your website
Open the plugin and create an export file of your site. This will include your theme, plugins, media, and database.
- In All-in-One WP Migration, click Export → File, and download the backup once it’s ready.
- For Duplicator, create a new package, build it, and download both the installer and archive files.
Install WordPress on your new host
Log in to your new hosting account, install a fresh copy of WordPress, and make sure it’s running properly before import.
Install the same plugin on the new site
On the new WordPress site, install the same migration plugin you used before.
Import your website backup
- In All-in-One WP Migration, go to Import, upload your exported file, and wait for the process to complete.
- For Duplicator, upload both files (installer.php and archive.zip) to your new host’s root directory, then run the installer through your browser.
Update permalinks and test everything
Once the import finishes, go to Settings → Permalinks and click “Save Changes” to refresh your URL structure. Then, check your pages, images, links, and contact forms to ensure everything works correctly.

Testing Your New Site After Import

Before pointing your domain to the new host, preview your migrated site using a temporary URL or host file method. Verify that all pages load correctly, plugins function as expected, and forms send properly. This final test ensures a smooth transition once you update your DNS.

Method 2: Manual WordPress Migration (Advanced Method)

If you prefer full control over your migration or need to move a large, complex site, manual migration is the best option. While it requires more technical skill, it gives you flexibility and ensures nothing is lost during the move.

Step 1: Manually Copy Website Files via FTP or File Manager

Start by downloading all your website files from your current hosting account. You can do this using FTP software like FileZilla or your host’s File Manager in cPanel.

Connect to your old hosting account using FTP.
Locate your WordPress root directory — usually named public_html or www.
Download all files, including the wp-content, wp-admin, and wp-includes folders, as well as hidden files like .htaccess.
Once downloaded, upload these same files to your new hosting account’s root directory.

This process may take time depending on your website size, especially if you host many images or videos.

Step 2: Export and Import Your MySQL Database

The next step is moving your WordPress database, which contains all your content, users, and settings.

Log in to phpMyAdmin from your old host.
Select your WordPress database and click Export. Choose the Quick method and SQL format, then download the file.
On your new host, open phpMyAdmin again.
Create a new database and user (assign full privileges).
Select the new database, click Import, and upload the SQL file you exported earlier.

Now your data is successfully transferred to your new hosting database.

Step 3: Update the wp-config.php File

In your uploaded WordPress files, locate the wp-config.php file. This file tells WordPress how to connect to your database.

Open the file and update these lines with your new database information:

Save and upload the modified file to your new server. This connects your site to the new database.

Step 4: Repoint DNS and Test Site Functionality

Once your files and database are in place, it’s time to point your domain name to your new host.

Log in to your domain registrar (like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Cloudflare).
Update the nameservers to those provided by your new hosting company.
DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours.

After the change, visit your domain and verify that your site loads correctly from the new host. Check your pages, menus, and plugins to ensure everything works smoothly.

Method 3: Migration via Hosting Provider (One-Click or Assisted Migration)

If you don’t want to deal with technical steps, many modern hosts offer automated migration tools or free assisted migration services. This is ideal for busy website owners who prefer a hassle-free transfer.

How Managed Hosts Offer Free Migration

Most top WordPress hosts now include a built-in migration service or a one-click tool that handles everything — from transferring your files to setting up the database and DNS configuration. You usually just need to provide your old host’s credentials or a migration file.

These tools automate the entire process while minimizing downtime.

Examples of Hosting Provider Migration Tools

SiteGround Site Tools – SiteGround offers a free WordPress Migrator tool that automatically moves your site in minutes.
WP Engine Automated Migration – WP Engine provides a plugin that connects both servers and copies your website securely.
Bluehost Migration Service – Bluehost offers free expert-assisted migration for WordPress websites, making it ideal for beginners.
Kinsta Site Migration – Their managed team handles everything for you, ensuring zero downtime during the switch.

Benefits of Letting Your Host Handle It

Zero technical hassle – You don’t have to deal with FTP, databases, or DNS.
Fast and secure – Managed migrations are optimized and monitored by experts.
Minimal downtime – Hosting teams perform migrations during low-traffic periods.
Guaranteed success – Professional assistance ensures your website stays intact.

If you’re not comfortable with manual steps or if your site is mission-critical, letting your host handle migration is the safest and most efficient choice.

Post-Migration Steps

Once your WordPress website has been successfully moved to the new host, it’s time to make sure everything works perfectly. These final steps will help ensure your site runs smoothly, loads quickly, and stays optimized for search engines.

1. Update Permalinks and Check URLs

Log in to your new WordPress dashboard and go to Settings → Permalinks.
Click Save Changes without making any modifications. This action refreshes your URL structure and prevents “404 Page Not Found” errors.

Next, test a few internal links, menus, and category pages to confirm they’re directing to the correct URLs on your new host.

2. Test All Pages, Forms, and Media Files

Open your website in a browser and test every major page — including home, blog, product, and contact pages.
Check that:

All images and videos load properly.
Contact and subscription forms send emails correctly.
Embedded content such as maps, buttons, or shortcodes display as expected.

You can also use tools like Broken Link Checker or Screaming Frog SEO Spider to detect any missing links or images after the move.

3. Reinstall Caching and Security Plugins

If you disabled caching or security plugins before migration, now’s the time to reactivate or reinstall them. Popular caching tools like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache will help improve site speed on your new host.

Also, ensure your security plugin (like Wordfence, iThemes Security, or Sucuri) is active and correctly configured. Run a quick malware scan to confirm everything is clean after the transfer.

4. Monitor Uptime and Performance

After migration, track your website’s uptime and loading speed for the next few days.
Use tools like UptimeRobot, GTmetrix, or Google PageSpeed Insights to measure performance.
If you notice slower speeds, check your caching, CDN, and database optimization settings.

Some new hosts may also offer built-in performance monitoring dashboards, which are useful for early detection of downtime or resource spikes.

5. Submit New Sitemap to Google Search Console

Because your website’s hosting environment has changed, it’s a good idea to re-submit your sitemap to Google.
Go to Google Search Console → Sitemaps, enter your sitemap URL (usually yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml), and click Submit.
This helps Google quickly re-crawl your site and maintain your SEO rankings after migration.

Common Migration Errors and How to Fix Them

Even with careful planning, a few common migration issues can arise. Here’s how to troubleshoot and fix them easily.

1. “Error Establishing Database Connection”

This usually happens when your wp-config.php file has incorrect database details.
Double-check your database name, username, password, and host.
Example:

Also, confirm that your database user has the right privileges in phpMyAdmin.

2. Broken Links or Missing Images

If your internal links or media files aren’t loading, it’s often due to incorrect URL paths.
Install a plugin like Better Search Replace and replace old URLs (e.g., oldhost.com) with your new domain or host URL (newhost.com).
You can also use the Velvet Blues Update URLs plugin to fix all image and link paths automatically.

3. SSL Issues After Migration

If your site shows a “Not Secure” warning after migration, make sure your SSL certificate is properly installed.

In most cases, you can activate Let’s Encrypt SSL from your hosting control panel for free.
Update your WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) in Settings → General to use https://.
Finally, use the Really Simple SSL plugin to automatically redirect all traffic to HTTPS.

4. Redirect Loops or 404 Pages

Redirect loops happen when conflicting rules exist in your .htaccess file.
Open .htaccess from your site’s root directory and replace it with WordPress’s default code:

Then, clear your cache and try reloading your site. If the issue persists, disable redirect plugins temporarily and check for conflicting rules in your SEO tools or CDN.

Bonus: Tips for a Zero-Downtime Migration

One of the biggest fears during a WordPress migration is site downtime — when your visitors see an error page instead of your website. But with careful planning, you can migrate your website seamlessly, without any interruption in service.

1. Clone Your Site to a Temporary Domain

Before moving your main site, it’s best to create a staging or temporary clone. Most modern hosts offer a staging environment, but you can also use a subdomain like staging.yourdomain.com or a temporary domain provided by your new host (for example, yourname.hostpreview.com).

You can use migration plugins like Duplicator, All-in-One WP Migration, or WP Staging to copy your full site (files and database) to this temporary area. Once the staging site is live, test everything — pages, links, contact forms, and media — to ensure it mirrors your original site perfectly.

2. Use a Hosts File to Preview the New Site

A smart trick for testing your new site before the DNS changes go live is to edit your computer’s hosts file. This lets you see the new website on the new server, while everyone else still sees the live version.

To do this:

Find your new server’s IP address (usually in your hosting dashboard).
On your computer, open the hosts file:
- Windows: C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts
- Mac/Linux: /etc/hosts
Add this line at the bottom:

123.45.67.89 yourdomain.com www.yourdomain.com

Replace 123.45.67.89 with your new server’s IP.

Now when you visit yourdomain.com, your browser will load it from the new host — without affecting live traffic. This allows you to test performance, SSL, and plugins safely before making it public.

3. Switch DNS at the Right Time

Once you’ve tested everything and are satisfied with the new setup, it’s time to update your DNS records to point your domain to the new server.

Log in to your domain registrar (like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Cloudflare).
Update the A record to your new host’s IP address.
Avoid deleting old records until the new site is fully functional.

DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours, depending on the provider. During this period, some visitors may still see your old host. That’s why keeping both sites active for at least 24 hours ensures zero downtime.

How Long Does a Migration Take in 2025?

The time it takes to migrate your WordPress site in 2025 depends on the migration method, site size, and hosting environment.

Plugin Migration

If you use a plugin such as All-in-One WP Migration, Duplicator, or UpdraftPlus, the process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour for small or medium-sized websites.

Small websites (under 500MB): Usually migrate in 15–30 minutes.
Medium websites (1–2GB): May take 1–2 hours, depending on your internet and server speed.
Large sites (5GB+ or eCommerce): Could take 3–5 hours, especially if images, videos, or databases are large.

Manual Migration

A manual migration often takes longer — around 2 to 6 hours — since it involves uploading files via FTP, importing databases, and manually configuring wp-config.php. However, it gives you more control and works best for advanced users or developers.

Hosting-Assisted Migration

In 2025, many modern hosts like SiteGround, WP Engine, and Cloudways offer one-click or managed migration services. These typically complete within 30–90 minutes, depending on queue times and the size of your site.

Factors That Affect Migration Speed

File Size: Large media libraries and backups increase transfer time.
Database Size: Complex WooCommerce or LMS databases slow import/export.
Server Speed: Faster SSD or cloud servers migrate data more efficiently.
Network Bandwidth: Your upload/download speed affects manual migrations.
Plugin Conflicts: Security or caching plugins can slow the process.

To minimize downtime and avoid data loss, always test your backups before the final switch.

Conclusion

Migrating your WordPress website doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you use a plugin, move it manually, or let your host handle it, the process can be smooth if you plan ahead. The safest way to migrate your WordPress website is by creating a full backup, testing your new host before switching DNS, and carefully following each step to avoid downtime.

Always remember — testing and backups are critical. A single missing file or broken link can cause major issues after migration. Before going live, check your pages, images, forms, and SEO settings. Once everything looks good, point your domain to the new host and celebrate your successful move!

After migration, don’t stop optimizing. Monitor your site’s speed, update plugins regularly, and track your SEO performance. A faster, more reliable host can help your WordPress website grow faster and attract more visitors in 2025.

If you ever feel unsure, you can always get professional help. At Creation Wave LLC, our team makes WordPress migration fast, safe, and hassle-free — so you can focus on growing your business, not fixing server issues.

FAQs

Can I move my WordPress site for free?
Yes. You can migrate for free using plugins like All-in-One WP Migration or Duplicator. Many web hosts also provide free migration services when you switch to their plans.

Will migrating affect my SEO or Google ranking?
Not if done correctly. Keep the same URLs, fix broken links, and submit a new sitemap to Google Search Console. Your ranking will remain stable or even improve with faster hosting.

How do I move my site without losing emails?
Before migration, check your email setup. If you’re using domain-based emails (like [email protected]), update MX records after migration to match your new host’s settings.

Can I migrate from WordPress.com to WordPress.org?
Yes. You can export your content from WordPress.com and import it into a self-hosted WordPress.org site. This gives you more control, customization, and plugin access.

What happens if something breaks during migration?
Don’t panic. Restore your backup, check database details in wp-config.php, and re-upload any missing files. If you need expert help, Creation Wave LLC can handle troubleshooting and ensure your site runs perfectly again.