Migration Guide: WordPress & cPanel

Migration: cPanel to WordPress

This section provides very detailed step-by-step instructions for migrating a site from cPanel hosting to WordPress hosting.

Step 1: Backup Files and Database in cPanel

• Log in to your cPanel account dashboard using the URL (usually https://yourdomain.com:2083).
• File Backup: Open File Manager. Navigate to the public_html directory or your site's root folder.
• Select all files and folders and choose "Compress" (usually ZIP is most compatible). Download the compressed archive to your local computer.
• Database Backup: In cPanel, open phpMyAdmin.
• Select your WordPress-related database, click on the "Export" tab, choose "Quick" export, format SQL, then click "Go" to download the database backup.

Step 2: Prepare WordPress Hosting & WordPress Dashboard Credentials

• Access your new WordPress hosting dashboard. This may be on Managed WordPress hosting or a new cPanel/WordPress setup, depending on your provider.
• Note your WordPress Admin dashboard URL, username, and password to log in (https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin).

Step 3: Upload Files to WordPress Hosting Filesystem

• Log in to the hosting control panel provided (cPanel or Managed WordPress portal).
• Use File Manager or an FTP client and navigate to the WordPress installation directory.
• Upload your previously compressed backup archive (ZIP file).
• Once uploaded, extract the archive contents inside the WordPress root folder, overwriting files if necessary.

Step 4: Import Database in WordPress Hosting

• Access phpMyAdmin on your new WordPress hosting environment.
• Create a new database (if necessary) and a user with all privileges assigned to that database.
• Select the new database in phpMyAdmin, click on the "Import" tab.
• Click "Choose File" and select your downloaded database SQL file from cPanel.
• Click "Go" to import the database content.

Step 5: Configure wp-config.php on WordPress Hosting

• Open wp-config.php file in your WordPress root directory using File Manager or FTP.
• Modify the following values to match your new database credentials:

define('DB_NAME', 'your_new_db_name');
define('DB_USER', 'your_new_db_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_new_db_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
        

• Save changes and close the file.

Step 6: Update Site URL (If Necessary)

• If the domain or directory path has changed, update site URL and home URL:
• Log into your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
• Go to Settings » General.
• Update the "WordPress Address (URL)" and "Site Address (URL)" fields.
• Save changes.
• Alternatively, update these URLs in the database via phpMyAdmin if unable to access dashboard.

Step 7: Test Your Website

• Visit your website URL to confirm it loads correctly.
• If you encounter errors like "Error Establishing a Database Connection" or "Critical Error," enable debugging by adding define('WP_DEBUG', true); in wp-config.php and check error logs.
• Disable problematic plugins temporarily by renaming the wp-content/plugins folder if a white screen occurs.

One-Click Migration to GoDaddy Managed WordPress

Migration: WordPress to cPanel

This section provides very detailed step-by-step instructions for migrating a site from WordPress managed hosting to cPanel.

Step 1: Export WordPress Content

• Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard at https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin.
• Navigate to Tools » Export.
• Select "All content" and click "Download Export File".
• This XML file contains posts, pages, comments, custom fields, terms, navigation menus, and custom posts.

Step 2: Backup Your Database

• Access your managed WordPress hosting dashboard and locate the database management section or contact support to obtain a database backup if direct access isn't available.
• Alternatively, use plugins like WP-DB-Backup or UpdraftPlus to export your database.

Step 3: Backup wp-content Folder

• Use an FTP client or hosting file manager to download the wp-content folder. It contains themes, plugins, and uploads.

Step 4: Setup cPanel Hosting

• Log in into your cPanel hosting account.
• Create a new database and user in MySQL® Databases and assign privileges.
• Upload WordPress files to the public_html or appropriate web root folder.

Step 5: Import Database into cPanel

• Open phpMyAdmin in cPanel.
• Select the new database and import your SQL backup.

Step 6: Upload wp-content Folder

• Upload the saved wp-content folder via FTP or cPanel File Manager to overwrite the existing folder on the new hosting.

Step 7: Import Content XML into WordPress

• Log in to the WordPress Admin Dashboard on your cPanel host.
• Go to Tools » Import.
• Install the WordPress importer if not installed.
• Upload the XML export file and assign authors accordingly.

Step 8: Update wp-config.php

• Edit wp-config.php with the new database name, user, and password.

Step 9: Test Your Website

• Check your site for complete functionality and media.
• Fix errors by enabling debugging or checking error logs if necessary.

One-Click Migration to GoDaddy Managed WordPress

Migration: cPanel to cPanel

Steps to migrate a WordPress (or any) site from one cPanel hosting account to another.

Migration: WHM to cPanel

This section covers migrating sites from WHM (Web Host Manager) to individual cPanel accounts, typically used when moving from a reseller or VPS to a cPanel shared hosting account.