Today let’s have deeper look at How to migrate WordPress site using duplicator with help of our WordPress Support Services, we will handle all sorts of your WordPress issues.

Steps to migrate WordPress site using duplicator

Duplicator is built to move WordPress sites in a better and easy way between hosts with minimal no downtime. Let’s follow How to migrate WordPress site using duplicator with the below steps.

1. Prepare for migration

To reduce the risk of any unexpected obstacles during the migration, follow a few preliminary steps to ensure a smooth migration:

• Set up a new hosting account and check whether your new host offers free migration assistance.

• The Duplicator allows you to select certain website assets for your package and eliminate unwanted files.

• Evolve a migration schedule that sets realistic timeframes.

• Update to the latest version of PHP if necessary, Duplicator requires a higher PHP version 5.3 or later.

2. Install the Duplicator plugin

To add Duplicator for the WordPress site, you need to select Plugins >> Add New from the WordPress dashboard and then search for “Duplicator – WordPress Migration Plugin.” where you need to install and activate the plugin.

Once activated, you’ll get a new Duplicator option in your dashboard panel.

3. Build your package

First, choose Duplicator >> Packages, then select “Create New” in the top right corner. Add the Name of the package >> click Next. Now Duplicator will scan the site for potential issues and If it finds any problems, then need to resolve those and rescan them before continuing.

Once the scan is completed, click on the Build button. Duplicator will create your package.

4. Download your package

Once the backup file is built. Next need to select the One-Click Download option, this downloads both your backup file and the installer.php file to your device. The installer.php will help to install the package on new server.

5. Create a backup file

It’s suggested to have a backup copy while making big changes to the site, in order to prevent data loss. For that you have to make a copy of your package and safely store it throughout the rest of the migration.

6. Create a database on the new web server

Now have to create a database on the new server so that you can attach WordPress files. This can be done through cPanel.

To create a database on cPanel:

• Log into your hosting account and access the cPanel main menu.

• Under Databases, select MySQL Databases.

• Now create a new Database by entering a name for the database >> click Create Database.

• Under Add a New User, you have to enter a username and password >> then click Create a User.

• Next need to Add a User to Database, from the dropdown option choose the user and database that was created. Then click Add.

• On the Manage User Privileges, select the ALL PRIVILEGES box to give full access to the created database and then click Make Changes.

7. Upload the Duplicator package to a new server

 

With a database set up, you can simply upload your Duplicator package. Where you need not install WordPress on your new host first. Duplicator does this for you.

Install Duplicator package to a new host:

• From cPanel upload the site backup file and installer file to your root directory.

• Navigate to domain.com/installer.php, here “domain.com” is your website name. You will see the duplicator installation wizard.

• Now enter your database name then your username and password that you just created and the Host can stay as “localhost”.

• Now click Test Connection. You will get a Success message when the test runs properly >> Click Run Deployment.

• Now the next screen will show up with old and new URLs, which should be the same if you’re keeping your old domain >> Click Run Update.

• On the final page, you will get testing suggestions that you can follow if you’d like to.

8. Point your domain to a new host

By now the Duplicator has done its job by recreating your site on a new host. Now change your domain name to direct users to your new host.

Your host will give you nameservers that connect your domain name and server hosting. You can get them through your hosting account.

After getting server nameservers, log into your domain registrar and replace the old nameservers with new nameservers. The nameserver propagation will take some time to reflect.

9. Check that your new site works

Your visitors will not notice any changes in the site while you switch hosts. if there are no major issues with the transfer then your site will experience zero downtime during the migration and all website content should look the same.

Testing the Live Site

In most cases, all plugins might have got deactivated when you move the WordPress site from a local host to the Cloudways server.

To reactivate all the deactivated plugins, navigate to Plugins >> Installed Plugin >> select all >> then click the Activate button.

If you have opted to use Breeze, the Cloudways WordPress cache plugin, now is the time to set up the recommended settings of the plugin. This is an important step in finalizing the process of a successful migration of your site from the local host to the Cloudways-managed server.

These recommended settings optimize the website and enhance the speed of WordPress websites.

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Conclusion

Duplicator has a high reputation and it’s a great example of an easy-to-use, free-to-use, and safe-to-use WordPress plugin, Having a WordPress website on a local host is a great way to experiment on your WordPress site and can keep improving the performance.