Moving your WordPress website to a new host means taking everything — your pictures, posts, pages, and settings — and placing it on a different hosting company’s servers. People do this when they want faster loading, better support, lower cost, or more space for their website. In this guide, you will learn how to move your site from one host to another safely and with as little stress as possible.
Why You Might Want to Move Your WordPress Site
There are many reasons you might want to change your WordPress hosting:
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Your current host might be slow or unreliable.
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You could be paying too much money for the service.
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You might want more room for your pictures, videos, or traffic.
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Your site might need better security and support.
Whatever your reason, knowing how to move your site lets you make this change without losing your content. People often ask, “Is it hard to move?” The good news is that it’s mostly just a series of clear steps that anyone can follow with patience and care.
Pre-Migration Checklist
Before you start moving your site, it’s important to get a few things ready so nothing gets lost. Think of this like packing before a trip.
First, make a full backup of your website. This includes all your WordPress files — the code, photos, plugins, and themes — along with your database where all your posts and settings are stored. You can use tools inside your hosting control panel or special backup plugins to do this.
Next, check that everything on your site is up-to-date. Update WordPress, your theme, and all plugins. This helps prevent problems after the move. Also, turn off any caching plugins for now because they can make temporary copies of your pages that might confuse the new host.
Having everything organized and backed up first makes the whole process much smoother.
Different Ways to Move Your WordPress Site
There are three common ways to move a WordPress site from one host to another. Each method works, but some are easier than others depending on your comfort with technical steps.
1. Using a Migration Plugin (Easiest Way)
One of the simplest ways to move your site is by using a special migration plugin. Plugins like All-in-One WP Migration or Duplicator allow you to save your entire site into a single file. Then you bring that file to the new host and restore your site there. These tools do most of the hard work for you and keep your content and settings intact.
2. Manual Move Without Plugins
If you want to do things yourself without a plugin, you can manually download your WordPress files (using FTP or a file manager) and export your database using a tool called phpMyAdmin. Then you upload everything to your new host and import the database there. This method gives you a lot of control, but it takes a bit more effort.
3. Migration Services Provided by the Host
Some hosting companies offer free or easy migration services. They will move your site for you if you ask. This can be very helpful if you don’t want to handle the technical parts yourself. Always check with your new host to see if they can help before you begin.
Each of these ways gets your site moved, but a plugin is often the fastest and simplest choice.
Step-by-Step Migration Process
Now let’s walk through the major steps you’ll take to move your WordPress site. Think of these as simple actions you do one by one.
Step 1: Back Up Your WordPress Site
Start by saving a complete copy of all your site files and your database. This is your safety net in case something goes wrong.
Step 2: Choose and Set Up Your New Hosting
Buy your new hosting plan and set up a fresh WordPress installation there. Your new host might give you a welcome email with login details.
Step 3: Export Your Files and Database
If you’re using a plugin, this means creating a backup file. If you’re doing it manually, this means downloading your site files and exporting your database from phpMyAdmin.
Step 4: Upload Files to the New Host
Move your backup or files to your new hosting space. Plugins usually let you import the backup file. For manual moves, you upload through FTP and then import the database in phpMyAdmin.
Step 5: Update Configurations
You may need to edit a file called wp-config.php so that WordPress knows how to connect to the database on your new host. This step makes sure everything works together.
These steps are the heart of your site’s move and set the foundation for going live on your new host.
Post-Migration Tasks: What to Do After Moving Your WordPress Site
Once you’ve moved your files and database to the new host, your work doesn’t end there. There are a few checks and small tweaks needed so your site works smoothly in its new home.
First, log in to your WordPress dashboard just like before. Visit a few pages, click images, and try filling in a contact form if you have one. This helps you see if everything made the move without missing pieces. Look out for broken links or pictures that don’t show up — these can happen when paths change during the move.
Next, go to Settings > Permalinks inside your dashboard and press Save without changing anything. This tells WordPress to re-refresh all the links on your site so pages open correctly after the move.
If your site uses caching or performance plugins, you switched them off earlier in the migration (as shown in the first half of this article). Now is the time to turn them back on. They help your pages load faster for people who visit. Also check that your security plugins and backup tools are active again so your site stays safe.
Updating Your Domain and DNS Settings
Your website’s name — its domain — still needs to know it lives at the new hosting address. To do that, you log into the place where you bought your domain name and update the DNS settings to point to your new host’s servers. Your new host should give you these new DNS values.
Once you save the new DNS settings, it can take a few hours before the internet fully notices the change. During this time, some people might still see your old site while others see the new one — this is normal.
Testing and Quality Checks
After making all the changes, spend some time testing your site everywhere. Try opening your site on a phone, a tablet, and a computer. Try clicking links, watch videos, and check that nothing looks out of place. Things like forms and buttons should still work.
If you find a page that looks wrong or something doesn’t open, don’t worry. It often means a file didn’t upload all the way or a link still points to the old place. Your hosting control panel or FTP tool lets you fix this by adding missing files again or updating links.
Canceling Your Old Hosting (Only When Ready)
Once you’re confident that your site looks and works just like it should on the new host, you can think about ending your old hosting plan so you don’t pay for both. But wait at least a few days after your new site is live — this gives you time to catch any small problems that were missed the first time.
Before you cancel, double-check that your DNS is fully updated, and that all parts of your site (like email, plugins, and backups) are running correctly. It’s a good idea to keep a final backup from your old host just in case you need to restore something later.
Troubleshooting Common Issues After Migration
Even with careful steps, small problems sometimes pop up after a move. One common issue is that some images or links still point to the old host. In that case, WordPress tools or simple replacement plugins can find and fix old URLs with new ones.
If your login page doesn’t show up, or you get an error message like 500 or database connection error, it often means the wp-config.php file has outdated database details. You can open that file using the file manager and make sure the database name, user, and password match what your new host gave you.
Another issue can be when DNS hasn’t fully updated yet on all internet systems. This can take up to two days, but most of the time it finishes sooner. You can use online tools to check DNS progress if you want to see how far it has spread.
Wrap-Up: Your Site, Now in a Better Place
Moving your WordPress site to a new host may seem like a big job, but when you take it slowly and follow steps like backing up, uploading files, checking settings, and testing your pages, it becomes something you can do with confidence. If you need to revisit earlier parts of the move, scroll back to the first half of this guide. Once everything is working as it should, enjoy the benefits of your new hosting — faster pages, better support, and room to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to move a WordPress site to a new host?
Yes, it is safe as long as you take a full backup before you start. A backup keeps a copy of your files and content, so nothing is lost even if something goes wrong. When you follow the steps carefully, moving a WordPress site is a normal and secure process.
Will my website go offline during the move?
In most cases, visitors won’t notice anything. Your old site stays online while the new one is being set up. The only short delay can happen when DNS settings are updated, but this usually lasts a few hours. If you want to reduce risk, move your site during low-traffic hours.
Do I need technical skills to move a WordPress site?
No advanced skills are needed. Many people use migration plugins that handle most of the work. If you follow step-by-step instructions like the ones in this guide, you can move your site even if you are new to WordPress. For a simpler option, you can also read our detailed guide on how to move WordPress to another host safely here:
👉 https://wpsafemigration.com/move-wordpress-to-another-host/
Which is better: using a plugin or doing it manually?
Using a plugin is easier and faster for beginners. Manual migration gives more control but takes more time and attention. If this is your first time moving a site, a plugin is usually the better choice.
How long does it take to move a WordPress site?
A small website can be moved in under an hour. Larger sites with many images or pages may take a few hours. DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to fully update, but most sites start working much sooner.
Can I move my WordPress site without changing the domain name?
Yes. Most people keep the same domain name when switching hosts. You only update the DNS settings so the domain points to the new host. Your website address stays exactly the same for visitors.
Will moving my site affect SEO rankings?
No, your rankings should stay the same if the move is done correctly. Make sure your pages, links, and content remain unchanged. After the move, test your site and submit it to Google Search Console if needed. You can also review our guide on moving a WordPress site to a new host without SEO loss for extra safety.
When should I cancel my old hosting plan?
Only cancel your old hosting after your new site is fully working. Test pages, images, forms, and logins first. It’s smart to wait a few days before canceling, just in case you need to check something again.
What should I do if something breaks after migration?
Most problems come from incorrect database details or missing files. Check your wp-config file, refresh permalinks, and clear cache. If needed, restore your backup and try again. You can also follow this step-by-step guide for fixing issues after migration:
👉 https://wpsafemigration.com/move-wordpress-site-to-new-host/