Migrate WordPress to a new server

Note

ServerPilot offers a free, automated migration service called DataShuttle.

This guide shows how to use the All-in-One WP Migration plugin to migrate WordPress to a new server or to a different app on the same server.

Export your WordPress data

1. Log into your existing WordPress app’s dashboard.
2. Install and activate the All-in-One WP Migration plugin.
3. In the All-in-One WP Migration menu in the sidebar, click Export.
4. Click Export to and select File.
5. Wait for the export to be prepared.
6. Click the Download [site name] button when it appears. The export file will be saved to your computer’s Downloads folder.

Import the data into a new WordPress app

1. Create a new app on the server you’re going to migrate WordPress to.
2. Log into the WordPress dashboard of the new WordPress app using the WordPress username and password you chose when creating the new app in ServerPilot.
3. Install and activate the All-in-One WP Migration plugin.
4. In the All-in-One WP Migration menu in the sidebar, click Import.
5. Click Import from and select File.
6. Select the export file you downloaded in the previous steps.
7. A progress bar will appear when the import begins. Wait for the import to complete.

Note

After the import completes, you will need to log into WordPress using the username and password of the WordPress app you just imported, not the username and password you’d chosen when creating the new app.

After importing your site’s data, you may need to update your permalinks setting in WordPress so WordPress will update your app’s .htaccess file.

To update your permalink settings:

1. Log into the WordPress dashboard of the new WordPress app.
2. In the Settings menu, click on Permalinks.
3. Select your desired permalink structure and click Save changes.

When you’re ready to make the migrated WordPress app live, update your domain’s DNS to point to your new server’s IP address.