Quick and secure way to Migrate a WordPress.com Website to Linode for better hosting. Our Linode Support team is ready to assist you. 

Migrate a WordPress.com Website to Linode 

Migrating a WordPress site can be easy if you follow the right steps. This article includes setting up a Linode server, exporting and importing your site, updating DNS, using Bunnyshell for migration, and post-migration checks. With these steps, you can move your site smoothly and securely.

Set Up Your Linode Server

Setting up a Linode server is quick and straightforward. By following a few simple steps, you can deploy a secure Linux server ready for WordPress or any web application.

• Create Your Linode Instance

Log in to your Linode account and click “Create Linode.” Choose Ubuntu as your operating system and select a server plan that fits your website’s needs. Give your server a descriptive label, set a strong root password or SSH keys, and enable backups. Finally, click “Create Linode” to launch your server.

• Connect to Your Linode Server

Find your Linode’s IP address in the Cloud Manager. Open a terminal or SSH client and run:

ssh <your_root_username>@<your_ip_address>

This ensures you have a secure connection to set up your server.

• Perform Initial Configuration

Start by updating your system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Then, set your timezone, configure a hostname, and create a limited user account for daily use. Improve your server’s security by strengthening SSH settings and setting up a firewall.

Your Linode server is now ready to host your website safely and efficiently.

Export Your WordPress.com Site

Exporting your WordPress site is quick and straightforward. Start by selecting the site you want from the Studio sidebar, then navigate to the Import / Export tab. From there, choose “Export entire site” to download a full .zip file with all your content and settings, or select “Export database” to generate a .sql file if you only need the database. Finally, select where you want to save the file on your computer and click Save. Using the full-site export is recommended for migrations, as it preserves all pages, posts, media, and configurations.

How to Import Content into a New WordPress Site

Migrating content to a new WordPress site is quick and easy. Start by logging into your original site, go to Tools and select Export, then choose All Content for a complete backup and download the XML file.

Next, access your new WordPress site and navigate to Tools, then click on Import. Install the WordPress Importer plugin if it isn’t already installed, and run it. Upload the XML file you exported from your old site, assign authors for the imported content, and enable the option to download and import media files. Finally, click Submit to begin the import process. WordPress will handle the import and notify you once it is finished.

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How to Update Your Domain and DNS Settings

Updating your domain and DNS settings is essential when pointing your website to a new host or configuring email services. Follow these three simple steps:

Step 1: Log in and Access DNS Settings
Log in to your domain registrar’s website, such as GoDaddy, Google Domains, or Hostinger, and navigate to the DNS management section.

Step 2: Add or Update Records
Select your domain, then either edit existing records or add new ones. Enter the correct information provided by your host or service, such as A, CNAME, or TXT records.

Step 3: Save and Verify
Save your changes and wait for the DNS to propagate, which can take a few hours up to 72 hours. Make sure there are no conflicting records and follow your host’s instructions carefully to ensure everything works correctly.

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Optional: Use Bunnyshell for Migration

Migrating your WordPress site with Bunnyshell is fast and simple.

Step 1: Connect and Set Up Infrastructure
Connect your Linode account to Bunnyshell and create the infrastructure for your site, selecting the server type and packages like MySQL, Nginx, Apache, or LiteSpeed.

Step 2: Migrate Your WordPress Site
Install a WordPress application on the new infrastructure, matching the WordPress and PHP versions of your existing site. Disable caching on your old site and migrate your files and database using a migration plugin or SFTP and a database client.

Step 3: Configure Domain and SSL
Configure your domain in Bunnyshell, update the DNS to direct traffic to the new server, and create SSL certificates for your main domain and any additional aliases. Once completed, your website will be live on the new server.

Post-Migration Steps

1: Check Your Site
Verify that all pages, images, links, and plugins are working correctly on the new server.

2: Clear Caches and Update
Clear caches, update themes and plugins, and ensure SSL certificates are active.

3: Monitor Performance
Watch your site’s performance, analytics, and error logs for any issues during the first few days.

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Conclusion

Successfully following these steps makes it easy to Migrate a WordPress.com Website to Linode. With proper setup, DNS updates, and post-migration checks, your site will run smoothly on its new server.

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