How to Migrate a Website to WordPress Hosting Without Data Loss

One wrong step can lead to data loss, broken links, or a sudden drop in Google search rankings. This guide will walk you through doing it properly. Both beginners and experienced developers can easily follow these instructions. You will learn how to prepare, create a full backup, migrate your database, and set everything up on your new WordPress hosting seamlessly.

Table of Contents

• Why Proper Preparation is Essential
• Step 1: Create a Full Backup
• Step 2: Choose the Right WordPress Hosting
• Step 3: Install WordPress on the New Server
• Step 4: Migrate the Database
• Step 5: Transfer Website Files
• Step 6: Update Database URLs
• Step 7: Test Everything Before Switching
• Step 8: Update DNS & Switch Traffic
• Migration Security Checklist

Why Proper Preparation is Essential

Skipping a backup can cost you months of hard work. Incorrectly configuring a database can break internal links and cause Google to drop your site from its index. Moving to slow hosting can cripple your traffic.

Migrating a WordPress site is a multi-step operation with five critical failure points:

1. Data Loss — caused by database import/export issues.
2. Broken Links — caused by failing to update URLs in the database.
3. SSL Certificate Issues — caused by forgetting to transfer or reissue certificates.
4. Downtime — caused by misconfigured DNS records.
5. Traffic Loss — caused by rushing the process without testing.

That is why we start with thorough preparation rather than blind file copying.

Step 1: Create a Full Backup of Your Site

This is the single most important step. If anything goes wrong, a fresh backup serves as your safety net.

Option A: Backup via Plugin (Easier)

Install a reputable backup plugin such as UpdraftPlus or Backup Migration:

1. In your WordPress admin dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New.
2. Search for UpdraftPlus, then install and activate it.
3. Navigate to the plugin settings and click Backup Now.
4. Download all generated backup archives (database + files) to your local computer.

Option B: Manual Backup (More Reliable)

1. Download the wp-content directory using an FTP client (FileZilla, WinSCP) — this contains your themes, plugins, and uploaded media files.
2. Export the database via phpMyAdmin:
   • Log into your current hosting control panel.
   • Open phpMyAdmin and select your site’s database.
   • Click Export → download the file in .sql format.

Step 2: Choose the Right WordPress Hosting

For optimal WordPress performance, your new hosting environment should meet these technical requirements:

• PHP 7.4 or higher (PHP 8.1+ recommended)
• MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.3+
• Support for mod_rewrite (.htaccess)
• Free SSL Certificate (Let’s Encrypt)
• User-friendly control panel (cPanel) and 24/7 customer support

All of these parameters come pre-configured on shared hosting plans from Hosting in Ukraine. For high-traffic or resource-heavy projects, consider a dedicated Cloud VPS server.

Step 3: Install WordPress on the New Server

Most modern web hosts provide a 1-click app installer:

1. Log into cPanel on your new hosting account.
2. Locate Softaculous or Installatron.
3. Select WordPress → click Install.
4. Enter your domain details, set up admin credentials, and click Install.

Step 4: Migrate Your Database

1. Open phpMyAdmin on the new hosting server.
2. Select the newly created (empty) database assigned to your site.
3. Go to the Import tab, select your saved .sql file from your computer, and click Go.

💡 Pro Tip: If your database file exceeds 100 MB, contact hosting technical support to import it directly via the server CLI.

Step 5: Transfer Website Files (Themes, Plugins, Uploads)

Connect to the new server via an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) and upload the contents of your saved wp-content folder (specifically themes, plugins, and uploads) to the corresponding directory on your new server: public_html/wp-content/.

Step 6: Update Database URLs

If you are changing your domain name or moving from HTTP to HTTPS, ensure all database references are updated.

The easiest method is using the Better Search Replace plugin:

• In the Search for field, enter your old URL (e.g., http://old-domain.com).
• In the Replace with field, enter your new URL (e.g., https://new-domain.com).
• Select all database tables and execute the replacement.

Step 7: Test Everything Before Changing DNS

You can preview and test your site on the new server prior to changing domain DNS records by modifying the local hosts file on your computer:

1. Open the hosts file (Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts, Mac/Linux: /etc/hosts).
2. Add a new line: NEW_SERVER_IP yourdomain.com.
3. Save the file and load your site in a browser. You are now testing the live site directly from the new server.

Step 8: Update DNS & Switch Traffic

Log into your domain registrar account and update the Nameservers (NS) to point to your new hosting provider (e.g., ns1.hosting.in.ua and ns2.hosting.in.ua). Global DNS propagation typically takes between 2 and 24 hours.

Migration Security Checklist

• [ ] Exported full database backup (SQL file)
• [ ] Saved wp-content folder (themes, plugins, media uploads)
• [ ] Provisioned new hosting and imported the database
• [ ] Uploaded site files to the new server via FTP
• [ ] Performed URL search-and-replace in the database
• [ ] Issued and verified SSL certificate on the new server
• [ ] Tested site functionality locally via hosts file
• [ ] Updated domain NS records at your registrar