How to Transfer a WP Site With FTP Access
A WordPress-powered website consists of a set of static files and a SQL database. That means moving your company's website from one Web hosting provider to another is a two-part process: moving the site's files with FTP, and moving the database. While you can simply install a fresh copy of WordPress on your new server, using FTP to move your site will help you retain all of your site's features and formatting, ensuring continuity in your branding.
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Download your WordPress site to your computer using your FTP application, as well as any other site files you want to move to the new site. Your WordPress files and folders use the prefix "wp," except for "index.php" and "xmlrpc.php." Don't delete the files from the old server yet.
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Download a copy of your database to your computer. Your host may have a database backup function in its user control panel, or you can install the WP-DB-Backup plugin and back up your data from your WordPress admin area. Don't delete the database yet.
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Upload your WordPress backup to the new server using your FTP application.
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Create a new database on your new server and restore your data backup to that database. Your Web host may offer a "backup wizard" in its control panel, or you can use the Import function of phpMyAdmin to add the data to a newly created database. To make the move as smooth as possible, create the database with the same name and password as the old one.
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Open the copy of wp-config.php from your backup and make sure the database user name, password and hostname match those of your new database. If you must make any changes, use your FTP application to upload the updated file and replace the existing copy on your new server.
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Open a Web browser and navigate to your new server. Most hosts give you a temporary IP address you can use instead of a domain name to view your site. If you see your site, you can change the DNS entries at your domain registrar to point to your new server. If you used permalinks to change your WordPress post URLs, you must make the change on your new installation by logging in to the WordPress Admin area, choosing "Permalinks" from the "Settings" menu and selecting the format you wish to use.
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Delete the files and database from your old server after allowing 24 to 48 hours for your DNS changes to propagate.
References
Resources
Tips
- Your new WordPress installation will point to your old server for images and links until the DNS changes are made and propagated. To test your new site completely before changing the DNS entries, you must edit the "siteurl" and "home" fields in the database's "wp-options" table to point to your domain. After you test, change the entries back to their original values.
Warnings
- To ensure your site is accessible during the transition, don't change its DNS entries to point your domain to the new server until you've installed and tested WordPress.
- Always back up your WordPress files and database and keep a copy on your computer before making changes to them.
Writer Bio
Michael Cox writes about lifestyle issues, popular culture, sports and technology. In a career spanning more than 10 years, he has contributed to dozens of magazines, books and websites, including MSN.com and "Adobe Magazine." Cox holds a professional certificate in technical communications from the University of Washington.