Migrate wordpress website to new host may seem like a difficult task; however, it becomes essential at some point to optimize your website for better performance, security, or even moving to a more suitable provider. If you’re moving to a new hosting plan or domain, this guide includes all the steps for migrating WordPress to a new domain and migrating WordPress to GoDaddy.
Why Migrate Your Website to a New Host?
Moving your website to a new host is guaranteed to improve speed, reliability, customer service provision, and even more suitable hosting features. Here are the most common reasons:
- Performance: The speed and performance of the new server may be a whole lot better when a new hosting provider is chosen.
- Feature: It can also be safe to say that such a provider will have features where you will need extra resources such as SSD storage, improved security, or additional bandwidth.
- Price: Just transferring to an inexpensive already-thought host will definitely cost far less in hosting.
- Scalability: With growing websites, you might also be forced to move to a host that would offer better choices for scalability.
Meanwhile, if you’re also intending to migrate WordPress to a different domain, the process for doing so would be a bit longer and would require changes to URLs or adjustments to SEO continuity, which we will get into next.
How to Migrate Your Website to a New Host: Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you need to migrate your website from a WordPress-hosted site or from a static HTML site, these general steps will guide you in migrating your website to new hosts.
Step 1: Back Up Your Website Files and Database
When you’re migrating your site to a new host, the first thing to do is back everything up all your files databases configurations. Use tools like:
cPanel Backup Wizard for full backup of the website.
UpdraftPlus for WordPress backup.
Make sure you back everything up before you start migrating.
Step 2: Select Your New Hosting Provider
Choose the hosting provider who is going to match your need. Some of the major hosting providers for WordPress sites are Bluehost, SiteGround, and GoDaddy, especially if you are migrating your WordPress website to GoDaddy.
For specific WordPress migration, go for a host that provides you with managed WordPress hosting for performance and easy migration.
Step 3: Upload Files and Database to the New Host
Now that you have a new host, it is time to upload your files to the new server, using FTP (like FileZilla) or cPanel’s File Manager.
In WordPress, ensure migration of WordPress to a new domain or server properly. You may be required to export your database and import it using phpMyAdmin on the new host.
Step 4: Update DNS Settings.
When everything is set up and your website files uploaded, your DNS should now point to the new hosting provider. By updating your domain registrar nameservers to GoDaddy’s, you’re switching to GoDaddy.
Migrate WordPress to a New Domain
If you’re migrating your WordPress site to a new domain, the process involves more steps than just switching hosts. Here’s how to migrate WordPress to a new domain effectively:
Step 1: Backup Your Website
Always back up your WordPress site before making any major changes. Within the plugin, use UpdraftPlus or Duplicator for an easy backup action.
Step 2: Move Files and Database to the New Domain
Move the files of your website and the database on the new domain. Through FTP manually or you can do it automatically through a WordPress migration plugin.
Step 3: Update WordPress URLs
Point to the new domain by modifying WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) with new URLs found at Settings > General of your dashboard. If not, you can also make sure that all internal links are updated with a kind of tool such as Velvet Blues Update URLs.
Otherwise, Simply replace the old domain URLs with the new one using your database via phpMyAdmin.
Step 4: Establishing 301 Redirects
You must install 301 redirects from the old domain to the new domain to preserve your SEO rankings and traffic. Visitors and search engines are now directly directed to your new domain.
Migrate WordPress Website to GoDaddy
If you’re moving your WordPress site to GoDaddy, here’s how you can migrate your WordPress website to GoDaddy:
Step 1: Backup Your WordPress Website
Use a plugin like All-in-One WP Migration to back up your site before starting the migration process. This will help facilitate the transfer to GoDaddy.
Step 2: Set up a Creative Hosting Account with GoDaddy
Go ahead, sign up to one of that hosting plans with GoDaddy, choose one according to the demands of your website. Once you have bought your hosting plan-log into GoDaddy’s either cPanel or Managed WordPress Hosting account.
Step 3: Transfer Website Files
The next option is to upload WordPress files to GoDaddy via FTP or cPanel File Manager. Now you will create a new database in GoDaddy cPanel and import the old database using phpMyAdmin.
Step 4: DNS Update
Once all of your data has been uploaded to GoDaddy, simply update the DNS records for your domain to point to GoDaddy’s servers. This can be done from your domain registrar’s website.
Step 5: Check for Completeness
Test the new WordPress website and ensure all are intact; test all links, images, and working at an operational level not to find any after migration issues in GoDaddy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Website Migration
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when you migrate your website to a new host, migrate WordPress to a new domain, or migrate WordPress to GoDaddy:
- Not making backups: Always make backups to make sure you always have a way back.
- Not updating URLs: When flipping a domain, all internal URLs and links must be updated so as to avoid having any broke links.
- Ignorance toward SEO: Establish 301 redirects to hold onto SEO ranking and elude missing any traffic.
- Skipping on testing: Under no circumstances should you skip a test on the new host or domain to ensure everything is working right.
- Not updating Google Tools: Once your migration is completed, update Google with the new domain so that you can continue getting valid tracking and indexing from word go.
Troubleshooting Common Issues During Migration
While migrating WordPress websites can be relatively simple, some common issues may arise. Here are some tips to help you handle them effectively:
- Issue 1: The website is not available after migration.
Solution: Check your DNS settings and ensure they’re pointing to the new server. If you Migrate wordpress Website to New Host, ensure your database credentials are correct in the wp-config.php file. - Issue 2: 404 Errors or Broken Links
Solution: Run a search and replace tool again, such as Better Search Replace, to change all your old URLs into the new host or domain. - Issue 3: Images or other media are missing.
Solution: Verify the media folder has succeeded in transferring. If it is not, connect through ftp and manually transfer the files. - Issue 4: Slow Website After Migration
Solution: Check whether your new hosting site is an underperformer, or optimize the database and images to improve load times. - Issue 5: SSL Errors After Migration
Solution: An SSL certificate should be installed with the new host. If you move to the GoDaddy hosting service, it has some plans with free SSL certificates.
Conclusion
Migrating WordPress and all its data from one site to another, a new domain name, or from the existing host to GoDaddy seems to have a lot of hard work to it, but it is actually quite easy once you understand the process. Be sure to back up the entire site, transfer all files and databases, and make adjustments with settings that would make moving possible. Most people go to another host for something better, while others want to move to a different domain for some reasons related to branding. Whatever the case is, these suggestions will ensure that one can happily migrate from WordPress and not suffer any negative experiences.
When you follow the steps for migrating WordPress to a new host, migrating WordPress to a new domain, or migrating your WordPress site to GoDaddy, you guarantee that your website remains functional and up for users during the whole transfer process.
In conclusion, following the right steps to migrate your WordPress website to a new host ensures a smooth transition, minimizing downtime and maintaining the performance of your site.
FAQs
How long does it take to migrate WordPress to a new host?
The migration process usually takes a few hours to a day, depending on the size and complexity of the website. During this time, it’s important to backup your website and ensure all data is securely transferred.
Can I migrate WordPress to a new domain without losing SEO?
Yes, SEO can be preserved if correct 301 redirects are set up from the old domain to the new one, ensuring that search engines and visitors are seamlessly directed to the new site without losing link equity.
Do I need to manually update all my content when migrating to a new domain?
Yes, you have to change internal links and references to your content to point to the new domain; Better Search Replace is a plugin you could use to help with that.
How do I migrate my WordPress website on GoDaddy?
The migration process is similar to that for any other host, except that for DNS settings and hosting setup, you’ll use GoDaddy’s specific control panel.
Will my website go down during the migration?
With proper planning, downtime can be mitigated, but you may experience a short downtime while switching DNS records. Be sure to test out your site on the new server before updating the DNS settings.