How to migrate a WordPress Blog

Step by step process to move your site safely

Editorial StaffOctober 20, 2025

630 7 minutes read

Illustration of a WordPress blog migration process with individuals managing code, settings, and tools, representing a step-by-step guide. — This illustration visually represents the key elements involved in a successful WordPress blog migration.

Introduction
Migration Answers
Plan Your Move
Compare Methods
Migrate with Plugin
Manually Move
DNS Email
After Moving
Conclusion
Additional Resources
FAQ

WordPress migration sounds scary when your blog holds years of posts and images. You worry about breaking the design, losing SEO, or seeing visitors hit error pages while you move everything to a new host or domain.

This guide shows you how to plan, run, and verify a complete blog move. You will learn how to choose between plugin and manual methods, handle domains and DNS, protect SEO, and test your site so readers never notice the change.

WordPress Migration Quick Answer

What Does Migrating a Blog Mean?

Migration means copying your entire WordPress site to a new place, then switching traffic to that copy. You move files, the database, and domain settings so visitors see the new server, but the blog looks and behaves like the old one.

Key Steps for a Safe Migration

The safest path follows a clear checklist. You prepare backups, choose a method, test on a staging area, then switch DNS once everything works and looks right.

Back up files and database in at least two places.
Set up the new hosting or new WordPress install.
Choose plugin or manual migration and copy the site.
Fix URLs, permalinks, and logins on the new site.
Test pages, forms, and logins on a temporary URL.
Update DNS or domain settings and monitor for issues.

When you follow these steps and test carefully, you can move a WordPress blog with little or no downtime, even if you are not a developer.

Plan Your Blog Move

Clarify Why You Want to Move

Start by writing down why you want to migrate. You might want faster hosting, better support, cheaper pricing, or a more professional domain name. When you know your goal, you can choose the right host, method, and timing.

List What Your Site Depends On

Next, list the key parts of your blog. Include your theme, child theme, plugins, custom code snippets, email forms, payment buttons, and any third party services. This list helps you check that everything still works after the migration.

Tip: Schedule the move during your lowest traffic period so any small issues affect fewer readers.

Make Reliable Backups Before You Start

Always create a full backup of your current site. Use your hosting backups, a backup plugin, or both. Store at least one copy off the server, for example in cloud storage or on your computer. That way you can roll back if something goes wrong.

For a deeper setup, you can follow a dedicated Beginner guide to WordPress speed optimization to strengthen your backup routine before moving.

Compare Plugin and Manual Methods

When a Plugin Is the Best Choice

For most blog owners, a migration plugin is the easiest option. It wraps your files and database into one package and restores them on the new site. Many plugins also handle search and replace for URLs, which avoids tricky database tools.

When Manual Migration Works Better

Manual migration gives you more control. You copy files over FTP or a file manager and move the database with tools like phpMyAdmin. This approach helps when plugin limits, very large sites, or strict hosting rules block plugin-based moves.

Plugin vs. Manual at a Glance

The table below shows how plugin and manual methods compare for a typical WordPress blog migration.

Aspect	Plugin Migration	Manual Migration
Setup Difficulty	Easy, guided screens	Higher, several tools
Required Skills	Basic WordPress skills	Comfort with FTP and databases
Risk of Errors	Low if plugin succeeds	Higher if you miss steps
Downtime Control	Easy to test before DNS change	Also testable, but more setup
Fine Control	Less granular control	Full control over every file
Best For	Small to medium blogs	Large sites or special setups

If you are not sure which method to use, start with a plugin on a staging copy. You can always fall back to a manual approach if the plugin fails.

Migrate Your Blog with a Plugin

Prepare Both Old and New Sites

First, create a clean WordPress install on your new host or staging environment. Use the same PHP version and similar server settings if possible. Then make sure both the old and new sites use the same core version to avoid conflicts during import.

Note: Some migration plugins limit file size on the free version, so check your site size before you commit to one tool.

Export and Import with a Plugin

Navigate to Plugins » Add New and search for your chosen migration plugin, then install and activate it.

WordPress dashboard Add Plugins screen, showing available plugins like Akismet and Jetpack for installation or updates during migration. — The WordPress Add Plugins dashboard allows you to install or update essential plugins as part of your migration process.

Most tools follow the same pattern. On the old site, you create an export file that bundles your database, themes, plugins, and uploads. On the new site, you install the same plugin and import that file so it overwrites the fresh install with your blog content.

Fix Links and Permalinks After Import

After import, you often need to refresh permalinks. Navigate to Settings » Permalinks, confirm your preferred structure such as Post name, and save.

WordPress Permalink Settings page showing "Post name" selected for SEO-friendly URLs. The custom structure input also uses %postname%. — The WordPress Permalink Settings page, with the SEO-friendly “Post name” structure selected.

Many plugins include a search and replace tool for URLs. Use it to replace the old domain with the new one if the addresses changed. Always run a dry run first when possible, then process the real replace only after you confirm the preview looks right.

Manually Move Your WordPress Blog

Copy Files and Export the Database

To move a site by hand, you first copy files and export the database. Using FTP or your hosting file manager, download the entire WordPress directory, including wp-content, wp-admin, and wp-includes. Then export the database to an SQL file.

In your hosting control panel, open phpMyAdmin for the old site database.

phpMyAdmin export screen displaying options to export a WordPress database as an SQL file for migration. — Initiate your WordPress blog migration by exporting the database as an SQL file using phpMyAdmin.

Upload Files and Import the Database

On the new host, create an empty database and user, then note the database name, username, and password. Upload your WordPress files to the correct directory, usually public_html or a similar web root. Then import the SQL file into the new database with phpMyAdmin.

Update wp-config and URLs

Next, edit wp-config.php on the new server so DB_NAME, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD, and DB_HOST match the new database. If your URL changes, use a search and replace tool or a command line script to update old domain values inside the database tables.

Tip: Keep a copy of the original wp-config.php file so you can quickly roll back if a typo breaks the connection.

What If Something Breaks After Migration?

If you see a white screen or database connection error, check file permissions, database credentials, and your .htaccess file. You can often fix issues by re-saving permalinks, deactivating all plugins, and then reactivating them one by one to find the culprit.

Domains DNS Email and Downtime

Point Your Domain to the New Host

Once the new copy of your blog looks correct, you can switch traffic. Update your domain’s nameservers or DNS A record to point to the new host. This tells the internet to use the new server’s IP address when people type your domain.

Use DNS and Hosts File for Testing

Before global DNS changes, you can preview the new site using a temporary URL or a hosts file entry on your computer. This lets you test menus, forms, and login flows without exposing broken pages to real visitors.

In your hosting panel, open the DNS or domain management section for your domain.

cPanel Zone Editor displaying DNS CNAME records for www.wpheadliner.com, essential for WordPress migration and domain mapping. — The cPanel Zone Editor interface displays critical DNS records like CNAMEs, often adjusted during a WordPress migration.

Handle Email Accounts During Migration

If your host also manages email, plan that move as well. Recreate your email addresses on the new host before you change DNS. Then update mail client settings so users connect to the new mail server as soon as DNS finishes updating.

Note: If you forget about email, messages might bounce or land on the old server after you switch DNS, so plan email migration early.

Test Fix and Optimize After Moving

Check Pages Posts and Media

After DNS change, browse your site like a new visitor. Test the home page, key category pages, recent posts, and popular content. Confirm that images load quickly and that galleries, featured images, and sliders still work as expected.

Verify SEO Redirects and Sitemaps

If your URLs changed, set up 301 redirects from old addresses to new ones. You can use a redirect plugin or your server configuration. Then submit the new XML sitemap in Google Search Console so search engines find the updated structure faster.

Confirm login and admin access work.
Test all forms and contact pages.
Review menus and widgets.
Check error logs for new warnings.

This short checklist helps you spot issues early, while the migration is still fresh in your mind and easier to debug.

Monitor Performance and Error Logs

In the first few days, watch performance and stability. Enable caching on the new host and compare load times. Review server error logs for repeated warnings, and fix any plugin or theme code that behaves differently on the new environment.

For deeper tuning, you can later follow a dedicated Managed WordPress hosting guide or a Beginner guide to WordPress speed optimization to fine tune your new setup.

WordPress Migration Conclusion

Your Next Step After This Guide

With a clear plan, WordPress migration becomes a controlled project instead of a risky jump. Your next step is to test the process on a small site or staging copy. Once you feel comfortable, schedule the real migration for your main blog and follow the same checklist.

If your site earns income or handles many leads, consider creating a long term maintenance routine after the move. Regular backups, updates, and security checks will keep your new hosting stable so you do not need another emergency migration soon.

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Frequently Asked Questions About WordPress Migration

Can I migrate my blog without any downtime?

Yes, you can often avoid downtime by preparing the new site on a temporary URL or staging domain. After you finish testing, you switch DNS so visitors see the new copy. Some users may still reach the old server during DNS propagation, but they should see a working site.

Do I need to put my site in maintenance mode?

Maintenance mode is helpful while you create the export or database snapshot. It keeps new comments or orders from going out of sync. You can enable it briefly, run the export, and disable it again. For many smaller blogs, a short maintenance window is enough.

Which migration plugin should I use?

Several well known plugins can move a WordPress site safely. When you choose one, check your site size, host limits, and whether you need multisite support. Always test the plugin on a small site or staging copy first to confirm it works well in your environment.

Will migration affect my search rankings?

If your URLs stay the same, search engines usually treat the migration as a simple hosting change. Rankings often stay stable. If you change domains or URL structure, you need proper 301 redirects and updated sitemaps. Good redirects help protect most of your existing rankings over time.

What should I do if the migration fails?

If a plugin import fails, restore your original site from backups so visitors are not blocked. Then review error messages and server limits, such as file size or memory. You can retry with adjusted settings, split the migration into parts, or use a manual method with help from your hosting support.