How to migrate WordPress to a new host, step by step

Is your WordPress site too slow, does support take days to reply, or did the price jump after the first contract year? Then switching hosts is often the best fix. Many people still put the move off because they worry their website or email will go down. With good preparation, the risk is low. This guide shows you step by step how to move your WordPress website cleanly to a new host.

In short: Create a full backup first, copy the site to the new web space with a migration plugin or manually, test it there, and only then switch domain and DNS. Cancel your old contract only once your website and email are running at the new provider. If you switch to servflix.com, we handle the migration for you free of charge.

What should you prepare before the move?

A good migration starts with an inventory. That way there are no surprises when it matters.

• Full backup: Back up files and database, for example with a backup plugin or via your current host’s control panel. Download the backup to your computer.
• Collect your logins: You need access to WordPress, your old host’s control panel, your domain management and your email mailboxes.
• Check the PHP version: Note which PHP version your site uses today. At the new host, set at least the same or a newer version that your plugins support.
• Check the size of your site: Media libraries with many images or videos can be large. This affects which migration method works best.
• Pick a quiet time: Schedule the move for a time with few visitors and don’t change any content during it.

Method 1: Moving with a migration plugin

For most websites, a migration plugin is the easiest route. Well-known plugins such as Duplicator, All-in-One WP Migration, WPvivid or Migrate Guru bundle files and database into a package and restore it on the new web space. They usually update the URLs in the database automatically as well.

1. Install WordPress at the new host, for example with a 1-click install.
2. Install the migration plugin on both the old and the new installation.
3. Export a package with files and database on the old site.
4. Import the package on the new installation.
5. Log in with your existing WordPress credentials afterwards, as they are transferred too.

Note that some plugins limit the import size in their free version. For very large sites, a plugin with direct server-to-server transfer or the manual method is often more reliable.

Method 2: Moving manually via SFTP and database

The manual method takes a little longer but gives you full control. It suits large websites or cases where a plugin fails.

1. Copy the files: Download all files of your WordPress installation via SFTP and upload them to the new web space. The wp-content folder with themes, plugins and uploads matters most.
2. Export the database: Export the database as an SQL file via phpMyAdmin or the command line.
3. Import the database: Create an empty database at the new host and import the SQL file.
4. Update wp-config.php: Enter the new database name, user, password and host.
5. Replace URLs if needed: If the domain changes, replace the old address with the new one, ideally with WP-CLI (wp search-replace) or a plugin that handles serialized data correctly.

How do you switch domain and DNS?

Only point the domain to the new host once the website runs there completely. There are two ways to do this:

• Change only the DNS records: The domain stays with your current provider; you just point the A record (and AAAA record if used) to the new server’s IP address.
• Transfer the domain: Request the auth code from your old provider and enter it at the new one. After that you manage domain, DNS and website in one place. See how this works with us on the Domains page.

Tip: Lower the TTL of your DNS records a few hours before switching so the new records take effect faster. It can still take a few hours until the change has reached everywhere.

What happens to your email mailboxes?

Email is often forgotten during a website move. First create the same mailboxes at the new host. You can transfer existing messages via IMAP, for example by adding the old and new mailbox to your email client side by side and moving the folders. Only then switch the MX records. That way no message gets lost.

What should you test after the move?

Before cancelling your old contract, check the new environment thoroughly:

• Does the site load via your domain with a valid SSL certificate (https)?
• Do subpages and permalinks work? If not, re-save the permalinks under Settings once.
• Do contact forms and order emails arrive?
• Do scheduled tasks such as backups or newsletters keep running?
• Are images, fonts and Elementor layouts complete? With Elementor, regenerating the CSS files under Tools often helps.

When should you cancel the old contract?

Cancel only when everything runs smoothly, and keep the backup for a few more weeks. Check the notice period in your current contract first, as some plans renew automatically for a full year. When transferring a domain, the contract with the old provider should not end before the transfer is complete.

Moving to servflix.com: what to expect

At servflix.com you get WordPress hosting with NVMe storage, Plesk, SSL, email mailboxes and daily backups, cancel monthly, from €10 per month. We migrate your site for free: Contact our support team after ordering, we copy your WordPress website to the new web space, and you review it before the domain is switched. If you prefer to move it yourself, our support team helps you around the clock. Find the right plan under Plans & Pricing and all hosting details on the WordPress Hosting page.