How To Transfer WordPress From One Server To Another

Like myself, you might need to transfer your blog from one server to another due to all kinds of reasons.

Possible Reasons of Moving Contents To Another Server

Technical problems with your web server configurations. I had problem displaying my site when there is no trailing slash at the back of the url. This is very bad because it will mean no contents found for the search engines to look for you when other websites linked to you.
Server downtime is very obvious. While server being inaccessible for certain timing is unavoidable, it shouldn’t be as obvious… If I couldn’t access my server very often, this is as good as I am paying money for no products given to me because my visitors can’t access it after all. This is usually due to the overload of the shared hosting of the server which that hosting company is trying to squeeze too much accounts into one server to save cost and make more money! No point going for this company anymore…
Limited Features in your account. While there are now so many companies providing easy access of the web hosting through a control panel, it is always good to provide as much flexibility as possible. Possible features include: FTP access, Cron job, PHP, Perl, CGI, MySQL, Password-Protect Directory, 404 error handling, Server Status, various program scripts for easy installation, fast speed internet access, high bandwidth, backup program, Web Statistics, Domain handling for addon and sub and redirect, optional SSL access and Email Accounts.
Unsatisfied Customer Service. Sometimes, the server is good but the customer service is really bad. For example, I wasn’t really satisfied with my answer with this current host when I ask him about certain thing and he just referred me to some tutorials without telling me anything… (But I can understand the situation because I asked a very sensitive question to him about other hosting company…) Another bad experience with a big hosting company where it is probably too big and they simply don’t help me to get it work (that trailing-slash url problem!)…

To Transfer Your WordPress To A New Host

Export all your tables in that database into a sql file and save it in your computer. (tutorial link)
Use FTP and copy out that directory where all your files reside in that old host and put it in your computer.
Buy a new hosting package from another company.
Create that same domain name to work with that new company’s server.
Set your DNS setting to that new company’s server.
While waiting for your DNS to work, FTP into the new server and copy all your files into the directory corresponding to your website directory.
Import your SQL file into that new company’s database. (tutorial link)
Done. Wait and see your new host being transferred.

Conclusion
It can be so easy using WordPress… Probably just some minor problems here and there.. But this program is super flexible for tweaking!

Nabeel

for those who get issues when transferring from domain to another, and having redirects or page layout issues, check out the step 4 on this page:

http://tech.nabtron.com/how-to-transfer-wordpress-from-one-server-to-another/488/

Nabeel Khan

the article is moved to: http://nabtron.com/how-to-transfer-wordpre...

however the above link will forward you to same page too

Charles Lau

Hi Stephen. Wordpress database is actually as simple as we thought.

I've done it myself that we only need to import the sql dump from the old site. However, i did it without reading any manual.. Hence, it's still better to know that there's a risk to take when u try this.

All i did was to copy the whole database to the new site. Then i amend the database accordingly to reflect the correct server setting. Then, i copy all the files to the new server, taking note of the config file to reflect the correct database setting. Done! :)

Stephen

I saw a similar question in the comments, but didn't see an answer. If I follow the steps you mentioned, do I need to re-install all my plug-ins? I have over 10 being used on my site now and want to know if I have to re-install at the new host as well as reconfigure them? One in particular is NextGen. I have over 300 photographs and 20 galleries. I want to get around having to re-install NextGen if possible.

Thanks for the help.

Charles

Hi Liesl! Sorry, found your comment in the spam section. Yes it works in different domains. :)

Adrian

Thank you very much for this tutorial. I will change a wordpress blog soon - it does sound very easy to do.

Liesl

Hi Charles, I have a question. What if I want to have a different domain when switching hosts? Would this method still work? If not, what would I need to do to transfer all my WordPress stuff?

Nabeel Khan

thanks

Nabeel Khan

check the details here is you want to switch domain name too

http://nabtron.com/how-to-transfer-wordpre...

Traveler

thanks for this tutorial.. really helpful

Charles Lau

Thanks Eric! :) Nice to see ya.

Eric

Just wanted to thank you for a great post on moving Wordpress! Short, sweet, and it WORKS! Thanks very much.

eric

Costa

Hi,

I changed servers, but I don't want to import everything to the new server. I just want my old posts. can you advise on the most simple method?

Thanks.

Charles

Hi Costa, nice to meet you.
It's pretty complicated if you want to import only your posts. That's because you have to look into the actual tables in your database. I may not tried it myself yet. But you can try exporting only xxx_posts and xxx_comments and try if it works.
I do believe there must have some tools out there that can assist you in bringing your posts over. You may want to try the plugin in this url
http://technosailor.com/2006/07/05/wordpress-to-wordpress-import/

Cheers!

Costa

Thanks! will check out the recommended plugin.

Charles

See ya, Costa! :)

donalyza

Hi just a quick question. When I transfer my site to another webhost, are all my settings that I have in WordPress dashboard will retain? Like do I have to change them all one by one. For instance, i'm using adsense deluxe plugin, do I have to paste all my codes again?