WordPress Migrations to Hostmate

1

Choose a Migration Method

Use a plugin, move it manually, or let Hostmate do it.

Migration plugin Usually the simplest DIY option. A WordPress migration plugin packages the site and database and restores or copies them onto the new hosting account.

Manual migration Move the WordPress files using FTP or File Manager, export and import the database, then update the WordPress database connection and any URLs that need changing.

Hostmate managed migration — $35 Hostmate can migrate the WordPress website for you for $35 per WordPress site.

A WordPress migration is different from a full cPanel migration.

A WordPress-only migration normally moves the website files and WordPress database. It does not automatically move cPanel email accounts, stored email, other websites, DNS zones or unrelated hosting settings. If your old provider uses cPanel and you want the whole account moved, see cPanel Migrations.

2

Before You Start

Prepare the destination before moving the site.

Make sure the Hostmate hosting account is active and has enough storage for the WordPress site, its database and any temporary migration files.

Keep the existing website online while the copy is being prepared.
Have WordPress administrator access to the existing site if you are using a migration plugin.
Have FTP, File Manager and database access if you are performing a manual migration.
Take a current backup before making migration changes.
Make note of any external email service, CDN, security service or unusual DNS records.
If the site is a store, membership site or receives frequent form submissions, minimise changes during the final migration and cutover window.

Do not point the domain to Hostmate before the destination is ready.

It is normally better to complete and test the new copy first, then change DNS when the site is ready to go live.

3

DIY: Migration Plugin

Use a WordPress migration plugin for the easiest self-service move.

Migration plugins can copy the WordPress files and database without requiring you to move each part manually. For most plugin-based migrations, you first create a fresh WordPress installation on Hostmate and then install the same migration plugin on both the old and new WordPress sites.

Install your chosen migration or backup plugin on the existing WordPress site.
Create a fresh migration package, backup or transfer using that plugin.
On the Hostmate hosting account, install a fresh copy of WordPress with Softaculous in cPanel.
Log in to the new Hostmate WordPress installation and install and activate the same migration plugin you used on the old site.
Use the plugin on the Hostmate WordPress site to upload, import, restore or receive the migration package, depending on how that plugin works.
Complete the plugin's restore or migration process. This will normally replace the fresh WordPress content with the migrated website.
Log in to the migrated WordPress site and test it before changing DNS.

Install WordPress first when your migration plugin requires a destination site.

Our Install WordPress with Softaculous guide shows how to create the destination WordPress installation in cPanel. Once it is installed, add the same migration plugin to that new site before importing or connecting the migration.

Some migration tools use a different workflow and may create or overwrite the destination installation themselves. If your chosen plugin provides its own destination instructions, follow those instructions instead.

Large sites may need a different approach.

Migration plugins can be limited by upload size, execution time, available disk space or restrictions imposed by the old host. If a large migration fails repeatedly, a manual migration or Hostmate-managed migration may be more suitable.

4

DIY: Manual Migration

Move the WordPress files and database manually.

A manual migration gives you more control and does not depend on a migration plugin, but it requires more technical work.

Download the complete WordPress files from the old host using FTP, SFTP or its File Manager.
Export the WordPress database, commonly using phpMyAdmin or another database tool.
Upload the WordPress files to the correct document root on Hostmate.
Create a database and database user on Hostmate.
Import the old WordPress database into the new database.
Update wp-config.php with the new database name, username and password.
If the domain or site URL changes during the migration, update the WordPress URLs and perform a safe database search-and-replace that preserves serialized data.
Test the migrated site before changing DNS.

Do not use a plain text replace on a WordPress database.

WordPress plugins and themes can store serialized data. Use a WordPress-aware search-and-replace tool when changing URLs inside the database so serialized values are updated correctly.

5

Hostmate Managed Migration

We can move the WordPress site for $35.

If you do not want to perform the migration yourself, Hostmate can migrate the WordPress website for $35 per WordPress site.

Open a support ticket and tell us:

The domain name of the WordPress site.
The name of the current hosting provider.
Whether the website is a normal business site, store, membership site or another site with frequently changing data.
Whether email is hosted with the old provider or somewhere else.
Whether DNS is currently managed by the old host, Cloudflare, the registrar or another provider.

$35 is per WordPress website.

If a hosting account contains multiple separate WordPress installations, each WordPress site is treated as a separate migration. Domain registration, email migration and other non-WordPress services may require separate work depending on the setup.

Hostmate support will confirm what access is required before the migration. Do not send account passwords in an ordinary email message unless support specifically provides a secure method for supplying them.

6

Test Before Cutover

Check the migrated site before changing DNS.

Do not assume a successful file copy means the site is ready. Test the destination carefully first.

Open the home page and several internal pages.
Log in to /wp-admin.
Check images, menus and page layouts.
Test forms and important plugins.
For WooCommerce, test product pages, cart and checkout.
Check that HTTPS works once the domain is pointed to Hostmate and SSL has been issued.
Check scheduled tasks or cron-dependent features if the site relies on them.

Dynamic sites need extra care.

For stores, bookings, forums, memberships or other sites where data changes frequently, new data can be created on the old site after the first copy. Plan the final migration so recent orders, users, bookings or submissions are not missed.

7

Go Live

Point the domain to Hostmate after the new site is ready.

Once the Hostmate copy has been tested, update the DNS so visitors are sent to the new hosting service.

Change Nameservers Use the Hostmate nameservers if you want cPanel to manage the domain's DNS.

DNS Records If DNS remains with Cloudflare, another registrar or another provider, update the website records there instead.

DNS Propagation Understand why some visitors can temporarily see the old site after the DNS change.

Changing website DNS does not move email.

If email is hosted somewhere other than the WordPress server, keep the existing MX, SPF, DKIM and other email-related DNS records. Do not change nameservers without first making sure the required email records exist in the new DNS zone.

Keep the old hosting active until the site has been checked on Hostmate and DNS has had time to update. Only then should the previous hosting service be cancelled.

Move a WordPress website to Hostmate.