WordPress Migration Checklist for 2025

Want to migrate your WordPress from your current hosting service to another hosting provider? Don’t worry—this simple WordPress migration checklist for 2025 covers everything from preparation to post-migration tasks. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth migration without loss of data or downtime.

Before You Migrate WordPress

1. Backup Your Current WordPress Site

Use a reliable backup plugin (e.g., UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy) to create a full backup of your site, including databases, themes, plugins, and media files.

Download a copy of the backup to your local machine for extra security.

2. Select a New Hosting Provider or Server

Choose a hosting plan that fits your current and future needs (e.g., shared, VPS, or dedicated hosting).

Ensure the new hosting provider supports cPanel and is optimized for WordPress.

3. Set Up Your New Hosting Environment

Ensure the new server has the latest version of PHP (at least 7.4 or newer).

Install a fresh instance of WordPress on the new server.

Set up an SSL certificate on the new server.

4. Check DNS Settings

If you plan on switching domain registrars or servers, ensure your DNS settings are configured properly.

Prepare to update your domain’s nameservers to point to the new server.

Migration Process:

5. Transfer WordPress Files

Use cPanel’s File Manager or an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) to upload all WordPress files (including wp-content) to the new server.

Make sure the file and folder permissions are correct on the new server.

6. Export and Import the Database

Use phpMyAdmin in cPanel to export your WordPress database from the old server.

Create a new database on the new server and import the exported database using phpMyAdmin.

7. Update wp-config.php

Edit the wp-config.php file on the new server to point to the new database (update DB_NAME, DB_USER, and DB_PASSWORD).

If necessary, update the home and site URL values in the database (e.g., using phpMyAdmin or a plugin like Better Search Replace).

8. Test the Site Before Changing DNS

Use a temporary URL or IP address (provided by your hosting provider) to test the site before switching DNS.

Check for missing images, broken links, and any issues with plugins or themes.

Post-Migration Tasks:

9. Update DNS Records

Update the DNS settings for your domain to point to the new server’s IP address or nameservers.

It may take 24-48 hours for DNS changes to propagate.

10. Check Site Functionality

Thoroughly test the site to ensure all pages, posts, plugins, themes, and custom functionalities are working correctly.

Check for broken links using tools like Broken Link Checker.

11. Fix Permalinks

Go to Settings > Permalinks in the WordPress dashboard and simply click “Save Changes” to flush the rewrite rules and ensure all URLs are correct.

12. SSL and Security

Ensure your SSL certificate is working properly on the new server.

Test the HTTPS version of your site to ensure there are no mixed-content issues.

Run a security check to confirm that no vulnerabilities have been introduced during the migration.

13. Test Site Speed

Use tools like GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights to check the site speed and optimize the server for better performance if necessary.

Ensure that your hosting plan provides adequate resources for optimal performance.

14. Test Emails

Ensure that WordPress emails (e.g., notifications, password resets) are being sent from the new server.

Check your email spam folder to ensure the server is not being flagged.

15. Update Google Analytics and Search Console

If the server change impacts your site’s IP address or domain, update the settings in Google Analytics and Google Search Console to reflect the changes.

16. Clean Up Old Files

Once you’re confident that everything is working on the new server, clean up old files and databases on the old server to prevent any unnecessary clutter.

17. Monitor the Site

Monitor the site for 1-2 weeks after migration to ensure everything is functioning properly, including site speed, emails, and uptime.

Be prepared for any issues that arise and have your hosting provider on standby if needed.

Summary of WordPress Migration Checklist

Pre-migration	Backup your current site, select a new hosting provider, set up the new hosting environment, and check DNS settings.
Transfer files	Use cPanel’s File Manager or FTP to upload files to the new server.
Export and import database	Export your database using phpMyAdmin and import it to the new server.
Update wp-con	Modify the wp-config.php file to point to the new database and adjust site URLs if necessary
Test before DNS switch	Test the site using a temporary URL to check for functionality before updating DNS.
Update DNS records	Update the domain’s DNS settings to point to the new server’s IP address or nameservers.
Test website functionality	Ensure all pages, plugins, themes, and custom features work correctly.
Fix permalinks	Refresh the permalinks to ensure URLs are correctly mapped.
Check SSL and security	Ensure SSL is active and secure and there are no mixed-content issues.
Test website speed	Check the site’s speed using tools like GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights.
Test emails	Confirm that email functionalities are working correctly from the new server.
Update analytics and console	Update Google Analytics and Search Console with the new domain/hosting info.
Clean up old files	Remove unnecessary files from the old server once migration is complete.
Monitor your website	Monitor for 1-2 weeks to catch any issues and ensure proper functionality.

Top 5 FAQs for WordPress Migration

What’s the easiest way to migrate WordPress to a new host?

The easiest way is using a migration plugin like All-in-One WP Migration or Duplicator, which can automate the process of transferring files and databases.

Will my site experience downtime during the migration?

There may be some temporary downtime, but if you use a staging environment or a temporary URL for testing, you can minimize this to a few hours.

Do I need to reconfigure my plugins after migration?

Generally, plugins should work as they did on the old server, but you might need to update plugin settings or reconfigure paths if the migration affects them.

How can I prevent SEO issues after migration?

Ensure your URLs remain the same, update Google Search Console, and test the site’s internal linking and redirection rules to avoid SEO penalties.

What should I do if something goes wrong during migration?

If something goes wrong, restore your backup from the old site and review your migration steps. Contact your hosting provider or seek professional help if needed.