Move a WordPress Site to Better Hosting in Queen City

A WordPress hosting migration is more than copying the wp-content folder.

A normal WordPress site depends on both files and a database, plus hosting configuration, DNS, SSL, forms, scheduled tasks, and third-party services that may rely on the old environment.

Inventory before moving

Record:

• domain registrar and DNS control;
• current and destination hosting;
• WordPress files;
• database;
• wp-config.php;
• SSL setup;
• cron or scheduled tasks;
• forms;
• email-dependent functions;
• external integrations.

Also determine whether business email uses the same DNS zone. Moving the website should not accidentally break mail.

Create a verified backup

WordPress documentation treats files and database as separate parts of a complete backup.

Preserve both before migration.

Keep the backup independently accessible rather than leaving the only recovery copy inside the hosting account being replaced.

Preserve URLs where possible

A host move does not require changing page URLs.

Keeping the same domain and URL structure reduces unnecessary migration work.

If the database name, database user, or host changes, the WordPress configuration must match the destination environment.

Test before DNS cutover when practical

Confirm that the copied site can load, that the database connection works, and that important functionality behaves correctly on the destination.

Then coordinate the DNS change.

The exact testing method depends on the host and environment.

Verify after the switch

Test:

• public pages;
• wp-admin;
• media;
• forms;
• redirects;
• SSL;
• scheduled tasks;
• email-dependent functions;
• important integrations.

For a related next step, see Repair a WordPress Site After a Plugin Update Breaks It in Novinger and Restore a WordPress Site From a Working Backup in Memphis.

For authoritative guidance on this subject, see Google's guidance on site moves.

See Also

• Update an Old WordPress Installation Safely in Kahoka

Switchboard can help Queen City and Northeast Missouri WordPress owners move to a more suitable host while preserving site identity and checking the pieces that a basic file transfer can miss.