← ServerPilot Docs

How to Migrate a WordPress App

We offer a free, automated migration service call DataShuttle.

Migrating a WordPress site can be a daunting task, particularly if the site has lots of images and a large database; however, the plugin All-in-One WP Migration has made it easier to move your WordPress site to a different server or to a different app owned by a different system user on the same server.

Follow these steps to successfully migrate your WordPress site.

This tutorial assumes you have created a server and connected your server to ServerPilot.

Step One: Set Up Your Destination WordPress Site through ServerPilot

First, follow our instructions to install WordPress on ServerPilot.

Then, log in to your new WordPress Dashboard. Install and activate the All-in-One WP Migration plugin.

Step Two: Export Your Original WordPress Site

Now, log in to your existing WordPress Dashboard. Install and activate the All-in-One WP Migration plugin. Then, open the Export tool.

All-in-One WP Migration's default settings are excellent for creating your export file; however, if you would like to exclude anything from the export, expand the Advanced Options and check off the exclusions. Otherwise, make sure everything is unchecked to use the default settings.

Next, click Export To and select File when the button expands.

When the file finishes compiling, click the flashing Download button.

Your original WordPress site will be exported to your computer's default Downloads folder.

Step Three: Import Your Original WordPress Site

In the new WordPress Dashboard you created through ServerPilot, open the All-in-One WP Migration Import tool.

Drag your exported site from your computer's Downloads folder to your new site.

A progress bar will appear when the import successfully begins.

Importing your original WordPress site will overwrite the new database, media, plugins, and themes created by the ServerPilot one-click installation. As long as you know you are importing into a fresh installation, you can click Continue when the warning pops up.

Step Four: Fine Tuning Your Imported Site

To log in to your WordPress Dashboard, you will need to use the admin username and password from your original WordPress site; the credentials you used in ServerPilot were overwritten by the import. (However, the MySQL database username and password created by ServerPilot will remain intact and can be found in your wp-config.php file.)

To complete the import process, you will need to save your permalink structure twice.

Log in to your WordPress Dashboard and open your Permalinks under the Settings menu.

Here, select your preferred permalink structure and click Save Changes twice.

If you moved this site to a new server, don't forget to configure your DNS to point to the new server.

That's It!

Your site should now be successfully transferred to your new WordPress app on ServerPilot.

Last updated: July 6, 2023

Launch your first site in 5 minutes