Transferring a Wordpress site to a new host

[Ian J]

I want to transfer my main site to a new web host but I'm unsure quite how to do it bearing in mind that I'm not technical.

I had hoped that the new host could have done it all for me but apparently they can only do it via the cpanel backup facility which UK2 the current host haven't enabled.

I thought about using the Updraft Plus backup plugin as I can buy a separate add on plugin that will automatically migrates the whole site but I've hit a snag.

I have installed Wordpress on the new host and it tells me that I can access it via www.factoringsolutions.co.uk/cpanel but of course if I click on that link it takes me to the website that currently exists on UK2. If I change the nameservers so that they point to the new host I won’t then be able to access the existing site so it’s either impossible to do or else I’m missing something obvious.

Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

 

[ryedale]

I always use this one

https://wordpress.org/plugins/duplicator/

If I'm moving a new WP client onto our hosting

 

[Tim Coulter]

You can work around the name server issue by creating a temporary entry in the hosts file on your local computer, pointing to the new server IP address. This will fool your own computer into thinking that the specified URL exists at the new IP address, without actually modifying what the rest of the world sees.

If you're using Windows, the hosts file exists at:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Simply edit it using Notepad and add a new entry (in the same format as the existing entries) that maps the new IP address to the URL that you're trying to reach.

 

[Nuno]

I have used this several times recently as it migrates content, themes, plugins and changes the URLs: the kaboodle. So far so good.
https://wordpress.org/plugins/all-in-one-wp-migration/

 

[Ian J]

I always use this one

https://wordpress.org/plugins/duplicator/

If I'm moving a new WP client onto our hosting

I was put off by the following note:-

Disclaimer

This plugin does require above average technical knowledge. If you plan to move WordPress or backup WordPress please use it at your own risk and do not forget to back up your files and databases beforehand with other backup system. Please do not attempt to use the plugin if you're new to WordPress or have a limited technical background.

 

[andrewcakebox]

Hi Ian, I can't post links but Dropbox has a simple plugin that will back up your wordpress site and most importantly the database. Without transferring the database (which a lot of people overlook), your site will be useless on the new domain. Go to Wordpress > Plugins > Add New > In the search bar type" Wordpress Backup to Dropbox". Install the plugin and perform a back up with your site.

Once you've done that access your dropbox account and check that your files are backed up into your specified folder. Once thats done you can transfer your backed up site to your new hosting account using an FTP client. Just make sure you do it in a new folder incase anything goes wrong.

Theres a good video on Youtube that shows you step by step - Head over to Youtube and search: Wordpress Tutorial Restore Backup From Dropbox. It's by Pressability. Hope this helps.

 

[Faevilangel]

It's relatively straight forward to do but there are plugins to help you

To view the "new site" you will find in the welcome email should have been a temporary url tp access the cpanel / website, normally it's the site IP address.

To move the content, go to tools > export and download the export file of the database.

On the new site go to tools > import and upload the export file.

Set your permalinks, the menus and widgets and you should be good to go.

Your new webhost may do it for you, have you asked?

 

[Ian J]

Your new webhost may do it for you, have you asked?

They said that they could only do it via cpanel but UK2 (the existing host) won't enable the backup facility for me. UK2 also suggested using FTP which I've tried but it keeps timing out.

 

[Squantrill]

As long as you install the plugins to Wordpress on your new host, you should be able to export the Wordpress/wp-content directory to you local machine from Cpanel. Then just copy it to the right directory on the new host, should be fairly simple drop me a pm if you get stuck might be able to help you remotely

Simon


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[singhabhishek251]

I think that the duplicator will definitely work at it's best and can be used for your website, the disclaimer comes for everything and that does not mean that it will not work.

 

[Sober Media]

Hi Matt here from Sober Media.

Ian it is very important to make backups firstly and I would always recommend using a company to transfer/migrate your WordPress site, its not that expensive and takes and eliminates any potential errors when migrating, which with WordPress can occur all depending what plugins/theme you are using.

The process from a technical point of view is fairly straight forward, we do not use any plugins for migration we simply backup dB and core code and move using SSH/FTP.

Heop helps.

Matt.

 

[InternetMarketingPlatinum]

You can do this manually or use a paid plugin called Backup Buddy. We do this regurlarly for clients.

 

[Neil-FreshSites]

If you still have credit with UK2 i would recommend asking for a file and database backup, then simply ask your new host to restore your site from those files.

 

[hussainsheikh]

I would search for Wordpress backup plugin and install it on my current live website, export the backup file - install the same plugin on to new host and import the backup file again.

 

[amac]

If you're using AWS, it's easy to replicate an instance using AMI's. Like others suggest, if you're unsure, hire someone who knows how to migrate WP to another server.

 

[Ian J]

Like others suggest, if you're unsure, hire someone who knows how to migrate WP to another server.

Thanks. That's what I have done

 

[vividWire]

For future reference, *usually* with devious hosts that decide to disable this feature, you can go ahead and put in a friendly ticket asking them to generate the backup or a CPmove file for you. It's a basic courtesy for them to follow, takes a few minutes, and most decent support staff will know how to do it. After it's generated, get them to put it in your account home directory so your new host can download it to your systems and import the data.

The above is probably the best solution if you're avers to paying someone to move everything, especially if your existing host offers a migration service. You'd also remove the need to set up everything again - email accounts, settings, etc - so there are some great benefits to it.

 

[uk_biz]

For future use

Backup database and site
Install Word press on new site
Upload site content you backed up earlier
Import database
amend config file to new database name, username etc

I did one recently, but involved moving the blog to a new domain. So had to amend the .htaccess file so visitors hitting the old blog urls via google were redirected accordingly. To amend the .htaccess file, see http://www.sana-tech.net/blog/?p=2190

 

[adamo]

Or even more straightforward, choose to move to a host that will handle the whole migration on your behalf. I know WebHostingBuzz would, and it's something I'd look for when choosing a new web host.

 

[Ian J]

Or even more straightforward, choose to move to a host that will handle the whole migration on your behalf. I know WebHostingBuzz would, and it's something I'd look for when choosing a new web host.

Actually, you're wrong.

I did go with WebHostingBuzz for exactly that reason only to find out that having paid for the hosting they couldn't do it as the existing host didn't have the backup facility installed in the cpanel.

We then tried installing it the hard way but couldn't get it to work properly and as their tech support wouldn't deal with my webbies who knew what they were talking about but would only deal with me who didn't, I gave it up as a bad job and moved the site on yet again

 

[Faevilangel]

web hosts != developers, if you need help moving a site, don't rely on your web host but pay someone to do it properly, seen some major cock ups when a host has tried to do a site migration. They may know how to do a cpanel backup but do they know what to do if it doesn't work, how to fix issues with the software when moved etc.

 

[Ian J]

web hosts != developers, if you need help moving a site, don't rely on your web host but pay someone to do it properly,

The trouble is that only the technically proficient like yourself would know this as those ordinary mortals like myself would have read the large print on a host's website saying "We'll transfer your account from another host to WebHostingBuzz for free" and "If you're coming from a cpanel hosting provider, we'll transfer your account free of charge and at a time convenient to you." and will sign on the dotted line simply for the ease of transfer not knowing that the offer comes with ifs and buts that aren't explained at the time.

 

[Faevilangel]

The trouble is that only the technically proficient like yourself would know this as those ordinary mortals like myself would have read the large print on a host's website saying "We'll transfer your account from another host to WebHostingBuzz for free" and "If you're coming from a cpanel hosting provider, we'll transfer your account free of charge and at a time convenient to you." and will sign on the dotted line simply for the ease of transfer not knowing that the offer comes with ifs and buts that aren't explained at the time.

This is why businesses should use a developer (or have a developer on hand) to help them with stuff like this. I have clients that I will never build a site for but they use me for the menial stuff like updating the sites etc

 

[J Howard]

yes nameserver is actual issue. you have istalled wp on new host but it is not enough. go on your domain control panel, update nameservers and all other dns records like A records etc. then setup the domain on new host (your host provider can help with this). You have to wait up to 12 hours but normally it takes one or two hours to udpate DNS records for new hosting.

 

[J Howard]

yes name server is actual issue. you have istalled wp on new host but it is not enough. go on your domain control panel, update nameservers and all other dns records like A records etc. then setup the domain on new host (your host provider can help with this). You have to wait up to 12 hours but normally it takes one or two hours to udpate DNS records for new hosting
.

 

[Karimbo]

You can work around the name server issue by creating a temporary entry in the hosts file on your local computer, pointing to the new server IP address. This will fool your own computer into thinking that the specified URL exists at the new IP address, without actually modifying what the rest of the world sees.

If you're using Windows, the hosts file exists at:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Simply edit it using Notepad and add a new entry (in the same format as the existing entries) that maps the new IP address to the URL that you're trying to reach.

Thanks for this. I have so many issues with this. I am with plusnet and their DNS updates 24+ hours. I end up using one of my proxies and setting my web browser to use proxy for a web address. But the hosts file idea is brilliant.

if the server is cpanel than migrating should be an absolute doddle as there migration features available.

Use that feture if you want a proper migration with all your emails.

 

[Ian J]

if the server is cpanel than migrating should be an absolute doddle as there migration features available.

If you have read all of the thread you will have seen that the migration feature isn't always enabled within cpanel

 

[Dan_HiHosting]

To be fair you shouldn't need to use a developer to migrate an unchanging website from one host to another. Most cPanel hosts will do cPanel account moves free of charge using an automated tool. However as pointed out by Ian this isn't always an option. Asking UK2 to do a backup may work, otherwise a decent medium sized host that's willing to put the time in to do a manual account transfer will do this for you. Certainly we have for many clients. Sometimes a fair bit of effort is required but in turn we gain a loyal client so it's worth it.

 

[DarrenMcCabe]

Not sure if you are still looking for this, but I have TSOHost.co.uk for over 10 years now and they are superb. We have recommended them to a number of clients and they offer a free website migration service, regardless of whether it is Wordpress or not.

They have moved a number of sites for our clients and never yet got it wrong.

 

[ThE_SeeKeR]

another alternative, backup all files / databases and find a freelancer on people per hour to do it on your behalf?

 

[Small Biz Geek]

I vote for Duplicator as well. It pickups your database, which is the most important part. If you have a really big site, you can exclude the actual folders of content/images from the Duplicator package.

You then drop the .zip and .php files into the root director of your new host, and begin installing your site to your new host. Once done, you copy the /wp-content files/folders into the corresponding directory of your new site.

Something else you might like to use is Instant WP. This is a simulated Apache server which has a very user friendly front end on it for testing your site offline.

For me Instant WP and Duplicator together have been very good indeed.

 

[vhjay]

Hi Ian,

Did you get this taken care of in the end? We've handled many such moves for our clients, and although you're not moving to us, I'd be happy to help - rather than have you wade through pages of documentation for a one-off task

Message me if you need a hand!

Jay

 

[Ian J]

Hi Ian,

Did you get this taken care of in the end?

Yes I did but it took far longer and caused far more hassle than it should have done. The company looking after my website moved it to a new host but couldn't get it working properly saying that the host did things in an unusual way so suggested that I move it yet again to their own hosting which they did for me but encountered a number of problems en route which they sorted but when I politely pointed out to them that Google's Webmaster Tools was claiming that they were having server issues when trying to crawl the site they decided that they no longer wanted to deal with me so I had a word with Phil from @openmind and bought a hosting package from them and Phil transferred it all over for me.

The issues that were causing the problems were still there but Phil sorted out the major one for me and @fisicx also looked at the installation for me removing some of the plugins that were causing problems and is hopefully still looking at it in order to streamline it as much as possible.

If anyone wants a recommendation for hosting Phil at Openmind has been magnificent as I have only been with them for 10 or 14 days but I've opened about four support tickets so far all of which have been dealt with quickly and efficiently and they have helped me out far and away above the call of duty and I'm hoping that that I'll never need to speak to him again as the site is running so well.

The last month has been a lot of hassle but all's well that end's well