WordPress site transfer from Cpanel

Phase 1: Pack the “Boxes” (Export)

First, we need to gather everything from the old cPanel account.

1. Compress Your Files

• Log in to the old cPanel.

• Open File Manager and navigate to your site’s root directory (usually public_html).

• Select all files, right-click, and choose Compress. Select “Zip Archive.”

• Once created, Download that .zip file to your computer.

2. Export the Database

• Go back to the cPanel dashboard and open phpMyAdmin.

• Select your website’s database from the left sidebar.

• Click the Export tab.

• Keep the method as “Quick” and format as “SQL,” then click Go to download the file.

Phase 2: Set Up the New “House” (Import)

Now, head over to your new cPanel account.

3. Upload the Files

• Open File Manager and go to the destination folder (e.g., public_html).

• Click Upload and select the .zip file you downloaded earlier.

• Once uploaded, right-click the file and select Extract.

4. Create a New Database

This is a three-step dance within the MySQL Database Wizard:

1. Create a Database: Give it a name (e.g., wp_newsite).

2. Create a User: Create a username and a strong password. Write these down!

3. Add User to Database: Give the user “All Privileges.”

5. Import the Data

• Open phpMyAdmin in the new cPanel.

• Click on the new database you just created.

• Click the Import tab, choose your .sql file, and click Go.

Phase 3: Connect the Pipes

The files are there, and the database is there, but they aren’t talking to each other yet.

6. Update wp-config.php

In the new cPanel File Manager, find the wp-config.php file in your root folder. Right-click and select Edit. You need to update these three lines with your new details:

define( 'DB_NAME', 'new_database_name' );
define( 'DB_USER', 'new_database_user' );
define( 'DB_PASSWORD', 'new_database_password' );

Note: Ensure the DB_HOST is usually localhost unless your host specifies otherwise.

Phase 4: The Final Touch

7. Update DNS Settings

Now that the site is ready on the new server, you need to tell the internet where to find it.

• Log in to your Domain Registrar (e.g., Namecheap, GoDaddy).

• Change the Nameservers to the ones provided by your new hosting company.

• Wait: DNS propagation can take anywhere from 1 to 24 hours.

Pro-Tips for a Smooth Move:

• Check your PHP version: Ensure the new cPanel is running a similar PHP version to the old one to avoid “Critical Error” screens.

• Don’t delete the old site yet: Keep the old cPanel active for at least 48 hours until you are 100% sure the migration was successful.

• Search and Replace: If you are also changing your domain name during this move, you’ll need a tool like the “Better Search Replace” plugin to update the URLs in your database.

Common Issues to Watch For: