Whether it’s because your current website is too slow or you just want a better WordPress hosting plan that fits your blog’s growth, moving a WordPress blog or website is something that you’re going to have to deal with.
Migrating a WordPress website (while avoiding downtime I might add), can seem intimidating to anyone, especially if you’re not tech savvy and are unfamiliar with the process. If the thought of dealing with WordPress migration gives you a cold sweat, then worry not!
We’ve got a couple of great tips that you can use to make the migration of your WordPress blog easier and most importantly, stress-free.
Rundown of a WordPress Migration Process
The process to migrate a WordPress blog to a new host can be confusing. But at the core of it, there are really just a few steps you need to do.
Now, I’m not going to go over the details of each step, but, I will give you an idea of what a migration process entails. It basically boils down to 6 steps, which are:
- Backing up your website files
- Exporting the database
- Uploading website files to your new host
- Creating a database on the destination
- Importing the database
- Fixing the wp-config.php
At this point, if you are going to use the same domain, you need to update the nameservers for your domain name to point to the IP address of your new hosting account.
If you have a good grasp of technical background or would like to explore more about transferring website to new host, then following all the steps I’ve listed above would not pose any problems. However, if you’re just like me and want the fastest and simplest way to migrate a WordPress website, then the following tips will definitely be useful for you.
Take Advantage of Plugins to Migrate your Website
There are thousands of plugins on WordPress you can install and use for your website. Some of the plugins will help you in your website migration. You can use these plugins and tools to make your WordPress migration process easier, without having to deal with the technical and time-consuming aspect of it.
But which ones should you go for? While there are plenty of plugins available (ranging from free to paid), here are 2 that are generally recommended:
- All-in-One WP Migration
One of the best WordPress migration plugins around, All-in-One WP Migration is often the first choice for users who want to transfer their WordPress blog to a new hosting provider easily.The plugin offers an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand interface, compatibility with a majority of the popular hosting providers, and most importantly, is FREE! And all it takes is just a few simple steps to get started.How simple? So simple that all you need to do is just install the plugin on your current site. Set up a few options and export the files. Then install the plugin on your new site, and import the file. It’s an absolutely terrific tool for beginner users who need something quick and simple to do site migrations.
However, for advanced users, it may not be the best choice as they don’t offer all the options and customizability that they might need.
- Duplicator
Another free plugin that you can look into is Duplicator. It’s similar to All-in-One WP Migration but offers more options for an advanced user.
You can essentially do the same thing as All-in-One WP Migration but also tweak certain details such as excluding certain file directories and file extensions or modify database tables. When it comes to actually importing the site, Duplicator will package all of your site’s files and database into a compressed archive, which you can download and upload to a new host.When you’re ready to migrate the site, Duplicator will provide an installer file which you can use on the new hosting server and import your packaged site.
Look for Web Hosts that Offer Free Site Migrations
Another great way to make your site migration easier is to take advantage of hosting providers that offer free website migrations when you sign up for their plans.
Some of the hosting companies around are offering website migrations for free, which often includes transferring all of your email accounts, databases, and so forth. It’s recommended that you check what their free migration service includes (setting up a database, edit WP config, etc.) and their limitations (1 website only, size limit, etc.) before signing up.
Once you’ve decided on a web host with a migration service, it doesn’t take much to get it done. Just request your website migration service through their support team and they will do the rest!
Use Premium WordPress Migration Services
Maybe you don’t have time to use plugins and manually transfer your WordPress and maybe the host you opt for doesn’t offer free website migration. Then you can always go for WordPress migration services that will take care of the entire process in exchange for a fee.
Now, are they a better choice than using a plugin? Not necessarily. But, if you’re looking for convenience and budget is not an issue, then you should definitely consider hiring a professional to do it for you.
Here are 2 that you can check out:
- Valet.io
Valet.io was formerly known as WP Valet and was purely a WordPress migration solution company. They’ve since grown and have included a plethora of management services for WordPress users such as premium plugin support, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) audits, security monitoring and more.
When it comes to migration services, they are still one of the best and are capable of handling WordPress migrations on any scale. Pricing, however, is on a case-by-case basis.For those who are in need of professional migration services, Valet.io is the perfect solution for you.
- Fantasktic
Focusing purely on WordPress migrations, Fantasktic can help with all of your migration needs, even for transferring non-WordPress site to a self-hosted WordPress setup if needed.
For those who just want to get their website up and running, Fantasktic will migrate your website within 72 hours and with zero downtime. They even offer great support for post migration issues and even for non-migration related support, such as bug fixes.Pricing for WordPress migration is not cheap for one install and their support services will be priced on a case-by-case basis.
Wrap-up
Moving and migrating your hosting is similar to moving into a new house or apartment — it doesn’t have to be complicated, and you could always just hire people to help you, but it can still be a pain.
With the ways listed above, hopefully, your WordPress migration won’t be too much of a hassle and you can get it done quickly and smoothly!
Have you tried any of the ways mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below!
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