All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
If you're about to migrate your WordPress website for the first time, it's normal to feel anxious. There are a lot of moving parts, and missing even a single step can turn technical issues into costly downtime in the blink of an eye.
In this guide, I’ll explain how to transfer a WordPress site to a new host. I’ll cover all the critical steps you need to take to avoid mishaps and unpleasant surprises, so you can move your site with confidence.
Site migration is a broad topic with many branches. For this walkthrough, we’ll focus on migrating a WordPress site from one hosting provider to another. In addition, we’re going to make the following assumptions:
If your migration involves changing domains, platform switches (e.g., from WordPress to another CMS), URL restructuring, or HTTPS conversion, you’ll need to seek additional help.
With that out of the way, we’ll begin with a fast-track method for migrating your WordPress site. We’ll then cover the full, manual WordPress migration process, which may be necessary if your new web host doesn’t offer one-click migrations.
Despite the name, one-click migration takes several clicks to complete. The one click is just to start the process. During the initial setup wizard, your web hosting provider will ask you if you want to migrate your site. What this looks like varies between hosts, but it’s never difficult to spot:
Namecheap’s one-click migration option during setup /images/2025/10/21/namecheap_one_click_migration_request.png)
Even if you don’t select it during setup, hosts will often provide a button with the same functionality in the user dashboard that you can access later.
Accessing one-click migration via the Hostinger control panel /images/2025/10/21/hostinger_one_click_migration_request.png)
So, should you migrate your WordPress site manually or automatically? If you have access to one-click WordPress migration, we recommend using the feature. You can simply follow the prompts on your screen to complete the process, without needing to run through the full manual migration process.
If you’re switching to a new host that doesn’t offer a migration wizard, then you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty.
In this guide, we’ll run through the following steps:
First, run your site through Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix. Screenshot and save the reports, with dates.
/images/2025/10/21/google_pagespeed_insights_report.png)
Then, in your WordPress dashboard, install the free Google Site Kit plugin and take screenshots of your current website traffic levels, top pages, and bounce rates.
These reports will serve as your baseline performance metrics. Later, after you finish migrating your WordPress website, you can run these tests again to look for any major variations from the original results.
How you approach this step will depend on the native backup options available with your current host, as well as the size of your WordPress site and its files.
Log in to cPanel and look for Softaculous. If you don’t see it, then use the search bar in the top right to find it.
/images/2025/10/21/locate_softaculous_inside-cpanel.png)
Once you get into Softaculous, look for the WordPress Manager. It will often be represented by the WordPress logo.
/images/2025/10/21/find_wordpress_manager_inside_cpanel.png)
If your version of Softaculous doesn’t include a WordPress Manager, then you can access your installations from the main Softaculous page under Installations.
/images/2025/10/21/access_wordpress_installations_from_main_softaculous_page.png)
As soon as you see your website(s) populate, tap on the down icon on the right. Then scroll down to the row of buttons at the bottom and look for the one labeled Backup.
/images/2025/10/21/website_backup_using_softaculous.png)
If you don’t have access to Softaculous or another native backup solution provided by your hosting company, you can use a freemium plugin called All-in-One WP Migration. Install it and activate it. Next, take the following steps, depending on the size of your website.
From your WordPress dashboard, go to All-in-One WP Migration → Backups → Create Backup → Download [Your Site].
/images/2025/10/21/create_download_backup_with_all_in_one_migration_plugin.png)
This backup file will also be accessible in the same backup menu location.
Most active sites are larger than 512 MB and will need to take a slightly different approach.
One option is to pay for the premium version of All-in-One WP Migration, which removes the 512 MB limit. Another option is to exclude your media library from the backup request.
The media library contains your website’s images, videos, and PDFs, which are often the largest files in your setup. By excluding your media library, you'll most likely resolve the issue and stay under the 512 MB limit.
To do it, go to the All-in-One WP Migration plugin from your dashboard and then click Export → Advanced Options → Exclude Media Library → Export Site to File.
/images/2025/10/21/create_export_backup_with_all_in_one_migration_plugin.png)
This will create the same backup as the previous set of instructions, but this time without the media library.
Next, install another free plugin called Media Library Downloader. After you activate it, go to Media → Library, and tap the Bulk Select button.
/images/2025/10/21/download_entire_media_library.png)
Choose all of the WordPress site files you want to back up and migrate, and click Download Selected Files. Save these somewhere, along with the file created by the All-in-One plugin.
This is an important step, especially for businesses and ecommerce stores. While no one wants downtime, it’s important to get it right when money is at stake.
The good news is that you can install WordPress, migrate your site, and test everything while your site remains running on the old host until your new site is ready.
The process for installing WordPress varies by web hosting provider. Most reputable shared plans include a one-click WordPress installer in the dashboard or control panel. For managed WordPress plans, you might not even have to do anything, as WordPress is often pre-installed.
The key is choosing a temporary domain during setup. Many hosts offer temporary domains (e.g., test.ewp.live on Namecheap’s EasyWP) specifically for this purpose. This allows you to build and test without affecting your live site. Once everything is verified, you can switch this temporary installation to your real domain (we'll cover this in full later on).
Most hosts make it easy to find this option, but if you don’t see a way to do it, then either check your host’s knowledge base or contact customer support and ask, "How can I install WordPress on a temporary/test domain?"
Next, you'll need to move your site to the new WordPress host.
Start by going to your temporary WordPress installation (using the temp domain from the previous step) and logging in to the WordPress dashboard.
With that done, install and enable the All-in-One WP Migration plugin. Go to All-in-One WP Migration → Import and either drag and drop your backup file or click Import From → File.
/images/2025/10/21/import_site_using_all_in_one_wp_migration_plugin.png)
The plugin will upload and import your backup. This may take several minutes, depending on the size of your site.
If you excluded your media library during the backup stage: After importing the main backup, you'll need to upload your media files separately. The easiest way to do this is to extract your downloaded media ZIP file and upload the contents via FTP to your /wp-content/uploads/ folder. You can use a free tool like FileZilla to do this.
Alternatively, you can upload files through Media → Add New in batches, though this can be tedious with large media libraries.
If you hit upload limits: Most hosts restrict upload file sizes. In the screenshot above, you can see the limit is set to 1 GB, which is almost double the 512 MB export limit of the free All-in-One WP Migration plugin. If your host caps you below the size of your export file, then contact customer support. Explain what you’re trying to do, and ask them to increase your limit, even temporarily if necessary.
Before going live, you need to verify that everything works correctly on your new host. Using your temporary domain, browse through your site and check that:
Also, go to Settings → Permalinks and click Save Changes twice (yes, twice). This refreshes your permalink structure and often resolves issues where pages return 404 errors.
Once you've confirmed that everything works, it's time to activate the site as it exists with your new host. This is a two-part process:
Your domain registrar is the company where you originally purchased your domain name. In many cases, this is the same company as your old hosting provider. For example, if you bought your domain and hosting together from Hostinger, then Hostinger is both your old host and your domain registrar.
Log in to your domain registrar’s account, and look for domain management, DNS settings, or nameservers. Update your nameservers to the ones provided by your new host. Your new host should have provided these nameservers in your welcome email or hosting dashboard. The hosting server details typically look like this:
/images/2025/10/21/add_custom_nameservers_to_match_new_hosting.png)
If you're not sure where your domain is registered, you can check at who.is by entering your domain name, and it will show you the registrar.
Some managed WordPress platforms (like EasyWP) let you change your site's domain from the temporary domain to your real domain directly from the user dashboard. The process is usually straightforward. First, look for Change Domain or similar options.
/images/2025/10/21/change_domain_from_test_domain_to_real_domain.png)
If you are using cPanel/shared hosting, the process is more complex. You'll need to move your WordPress files from the temporary directory to your main public_html folder and update your site URLs in WordPress Settings → General or directly in the WordPress database. This process varies by hosting setup, so contact your host's support center for step-by-step guidance specific to your account.
After the DNS finishes propagating, run the same performance tests as you did at the start of the migration process with Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, and a Google Site Kit analytics check. You can check progress on DNS propagation at whatsmydns.net by entering your domain name.
Compare these results to your baseline. Your new host should perform as well or better. If you notice significant performance degradation, contact your new host's support to troubleshoot the issue.
Also check:
If everything checks out, your migration is complete.
The website migration process carries real risks if handled incorrectly, including lost traffic and revenue and damaged search rankings. Understanding these common pitfalls and taking precautions can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Here are some ways to avoid common WordPress migration mistakes:
The site migration we covered in this guide — moving your WordPress site from one hosting company to another, while keeping your domain, URL structure, and protocols the same — is one of the most common and straightforward types of migrations. However, there are times when you might need to perform other kinds of migration.
These include platform migrations, where you move from one CMS to another (from WordPress to Ghost, for example), HTTP to HTTPS migrations, domain name changes, and URL structure changes, such as modifying your permalink settings or moving from subdomains to subfolders. Each of these migration types builds on the foundations covered in this guide but requires additional specific steps.
Immediately after your WordPress migration, you should test all functionality, including forms, user accounts, and checkout processes; verify 301 redirects are working; confirm that SSL certificates are active; check that analytics and tracking codes are firing correctly; and start monitoring site performance and error logs.
To find the best time for a WordPress website migration, you should look at your analytics dashboard. Identify when your site experiences the lowest traffic and schedule your migration for that window. In addition, you should schedule it only after thoroughly checking all configurations on both the sending and receiving ends of your migration.
WordPress hosting and server migrations typically take a few hours, as do HTTPS conversions. Domain changes take hours plus DNS propagation time (up to 48 hours, but often less). Platform and CMS migrations can take weeks to months, depending on how much rebuilding is required. Other specialized migrations, such as URL restructuring or site consolidation, have their own timelines and requirements.
Migrating your WordPress site to a new host doesn't have to be a nerve-wracking experience. The key to safely transferring your WordPress site is taking your time and not rushing the process. Remember, your old site stays live throughout the migration, and you only need to switch when you're entirely confident that the migrated site works perfectly.
If you'd rather skip the manual process entirely, many hosting providers, like Hostinger and DreamHost, will migrate WordPress sites at no extra cost when you sign up. This can be especially valuable if this is your first migration or you're dealing with a complex site.
Whether you choose to migrate manually using this guide or let your new host handle it, the most important thing is ensuring that your site and your business experience minimal disruption during the transition.
Robust user-friendly AI tools for quick web building
Cheaper than other all-in-one ecommerce web host & builders like Wix and Shopify
/images/2024/11/25/web_builder_review_wix_review.jpg)
/images/2024/12/18/best_website_builders.jpg)
/images/2025/10/22/http_vs_https_featured_image.png)
/images/2024/07/31/do_banks_refund_scammed_money__featured_image.png)
/images/2025/10/22/siteground_featured_image.png)
/images/2025/10/21/greengeeks_featured_image.png)
/images/2025/10/21/how_to_transfer_a_wordpress_site_to_a_new_host_featured_image.png)
/images/2025/10/21/domain_vs_hosting_featured_image.png)
/authors/martin-dubovic-headshot.jpg){kind=small}
/authors/michael-simon-headshot.jpg){kind=small}
/images/2024/12/05/hostinger-logo-horizontal.png){kind=logo}
/authors/martin-dubovic-headshot.jpg)