How Do You Migrate a WordPress Site to a New Host?

WordPress migration involves moving your files and database from one host to another. I have migrated 30+ sites between providers. A typical migration takes 1-3 hours depending on site size. The most common methods are plugin-based (UpdraftPlus, All-in-One WP Migration) or manual via phpMyAdmin and FTP.

How Do You Migrate WordPress Using a Plugin?

Install UpdraftPlus on the source site, create a backup with both files and database, install UpdraftPlus on the destination site, upload the backup files, and restore. UpdraftPlus handles 95% of migrations successfully. For large sites over 1GB, use All-in-One WP Migration with its unlimited addon which handles file splitting automatically.

What Should You Do After Migrating?

Update the siteurl and home options in the database if the domain changed, check permalinks (flush them via Settings > Permalinks), verify all images load, test forms and contact pages, update DNS settings, and monitor error logs for 48 hours. I always keep the old hosting active for 2 weeks after migration as a fallback. Read WordPress Hosting guide for choosing a new provider.