How to move WordPress to a new host

Why people move hosts

Common reasons are a slow site, unreliable support, a big jump in price at renewal, or wanting someone to look after updates. Whatever the reason, the goal of a move is the same: your site ends up on the new server, looking and working exactly as before, with no broken links and no lost email.

What a WordPress site is made of

Every WordPress site has two parts, and you need to move both:

• The files: WordPress itself, your theme, your plugins and your uploads, such as images and PDFs.
• The database: your pages, posts, settings, users and, if you use Elementor, your page layouts.

Copy only the files and your site will appear empty. Copy only the database and it will not run at all.

Before you start

1. Take a full backup of the existing site and keep a copy somewhere safe, off both servers.
2. Do not cancel your old hosting yet. Keep it running until the move is finished and checked.
3. Find your domain logins. You will need access to wherever your DNS is managed, usually your domain registrar.
4. Write down your email setup. Note where your email is hosted, so you can check it keeps working.

Step 1: copy the site

There are two main ways to do this.

Use a migration plugin

A migration plugin packages up your files and database on the old site and unpacks them on the new one. For most small business sites this is the simplest route, and the plugin takes care of much of the detail.

Copy it manually

The manual route means downloading the files, exporting the database, uploading both to the new server, importing the database and updating the WordPress configuration file with the new database details. It gives you more control but needs more care.

Step 2: test on a temporary address

Before you send visitors to the new server, check the site there. Your new host can usually give you a temporary address, or a way to preview the site, while your domain still points at the old host.

Go through the site properly:

• Visit your main pages and check the layout, images and menus.
• Open a few Elementor pages in the editor to make sure they load.
• Send a test message through every form.
• Log in to the admin area and check your plugins are active.
• If you run a shop, check products, the basket and the checkout.

Step 3: keep the same URLs

Your page addresses should stay exactly the same after the move. Changing them breaks links from other websites and from search results, and search engines have to work out where everything has gone. If you also want to restructure your site, do it as a separate project after the move, with proper redirects.

Step 4: switch DNS

When you are happy with the site on the new server, update your domain's DNS so it points to the new host. The change can take a little while to spread across the internet, so for a short period some visitors may still reach the old server. This is why you keep the old hosting running and avoid editing content during the switch.

Leave your email records alone

Your DNS also controls where email goes, through MX records. When you change DNS, only change the records for the website. Check that your MX records and other email-related records are left intact, then send and receive a test email to confirm everything still works.

Step 5: tidy up

Once the new site has been running smoothly for a while and you have a fresh backup there, you can cancel the old hosting. Then run a speed check and a security review on the new setup. Our guides to speeding up a WordPress site and keeping it secure are good next steps.

Moving to WP Web Hosting

If you choose WP Business at £59.95 a month, we move your sites for you. On WP Start and WP Managed, this guide and a migration plugin take you through it. All plans are billed monthly and you can cancel any month. Read more about moving your WordPress site or compare plans on our pricing page.

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