Migrate WordPress via FTP (Intermediate)

1. Export the WordPress Database

While the FTP backup is being performed, you can export your database. It is easy to export your database. You only need to follow a few simple steps.

• Login to the cPanel of your current web host.
• Open the PHPMyAdmin Application:
• Choose the database that you want to use with your WordPress installation.
• Click the Export tab in the navigation menu.

The default settings ( Quick export and SQL format ) will be sufficient for our purpose.

• Click Go in order to begin the exportation process. The file is then downloaded to your computer. (The folder will depend on the download settings of your browser)

You can proceed to the next step once the FTP transfer and database export are complete.

1. Create the WordPress database on your new hosting server.

It would help if you created an environment for WordPress before you can begin the migration. You will need to create a database in which you can import the SQL data.

Once you’ve logged in, connect to the cPanel software. Connect to cPanel once you are in. We will use the MySQL Database Application for this guide since FastComet is compatible with it.

You can create a database in a few simple steps.

• Open the MySQL Database and create a database for your website.
• Create a MySQL user using a strong password.
• Add the newly created user account to the database and grant it all privileges.

You will need to remember your database name, the new MySQL username, and Password.

1. All WordPress files must be uploaded to the new host.

Upload your website files to the new hosting provider:

• Connect to your new web host using FTP once more;
• Navigate to the folder that will hold your website. The public_html directory is the best choice if this is the primary or only website that you install on the server.

Even after the upload is complete, do not delete your backup. These files will be needed until the migration is complete.

1. Edit the wpconfig.php file.

Find the wpconfig.php in the folder of your WordPress site on the new host. This file controls access between WordPress, your database, and the web host. You don’t have to make another copy since you already saved a backup of the file on your computer.

You will now need to edit the wpconfig.php and make the changes below:

4.1. Change The Database Name

Find the line:

define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘db_name’);

This line is currently set to your old web host’s database name. This should be changed to the name you just created for the database.

4.2. Change the database username

You will see:

define(‘DB_USER’, ‘db_user’);

You need to replace the db_user with the new username that you just created.

4.3. Change the Password

The third line is the only thing left to edit:

define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘db_pass’);

As with the previous lines, replace the db_pass portion of this line using your new secure MySQL password.

That’s it! Close the wpconfig.php and save it.

1. Import your database

You can now begin the import process.

• Launch PHPMyAdmin on your new server.
• Open the database you selected.
• Choose the Import option from the navigation menu.
• The File to Import is located in the section. Select the SQL file you exported by clicking on Choose File.
• Make sure the format is SQL and that the Partial Import checkbox is not ticked.
• Click on the Go button.