Exporting your WordPress site is a wise option if you want to move to a new host, create a backup, or save your blogs post on your personal computer for future references. But, moving the entire WordPress site can get challenging, especially when you are a beginner.
In this blog, we shall find out some easy steps to safely migrate your entire database. For beginners with less experience of WordPress can use a migration plugin. It enables you to download your entire site, including the database. Tech-savvy experts can export the site manually using File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and phpMyAdmin. If you just want to create a backup for your content, use WordPress native export function for easy functionality.
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How To Prepare My WordPress Site For Export?
Before we start with the steps and methods, it’s wise to take additional precautions to ensure the process runs smoothly.
If your aim is to migrate the site to a new host, set up a new hosting account first and cross-check with your provider whether they offer any migration assistance. Many host providers help customers migrate their website free of charge or with minimal fees. So, look out for all the options available before taking things in your own hands.
Secondly, take note on all the plugins, themes, content, and media files you want to export to your new host. If you are using a WordPress migration plugin, you can easily choose the files from your export package. Also, it is an excellent method to eliminate unnecessary plugins that may reduce your server loading time.
Lastly, choose a convenient time to export your site. For instance, if your website receives a lot of traffic in daytime, you can export the site during evening or at night. The goal is to export your website without facing any unexpected downtime.
Note: While transferring any sensitive data, make sure you review all the relevant security instructions.
As experts, we encourage our customers to upgrade to the latest PHP version to avoid any disruption occurred with the migration plugins. Once you are done monitoring all the above-mentioned protocols, you are now good to go!
3 Methods to Export Your WordPress Site To a new host
Method 1: WordPress native export feature
The first option to migrate a WordPress site is via WordPress native export feature. This method can get implemented while your website is live. However, it won’t enable you to export information stored in your site’s database, including your blog posts, comments, pages, navigation menu bars, and taxonomies.
Another drawback of this method is – You cannot export your plugins and themes. To do so, follow some additional steps mentioned below or choose a Duplicator method. Also, if you are moving your content to a newly designed website, this method will solve the purpose.
To use a WordPress native export feature, follow the following steps:
Step1: Log in to your dashboard and go to Tools → Export.
Step 2: Select “All Content” and it will export your files, except the existing themes and WordPress migration plugins. If you want to export something in particular, choose that specific content type from the list such as, blog posts, pages, products, and so on..
Step 3: Click on “Download Export File” at the bottom of your screen. This command will create a copy of the selected file or the entire site. (This process may take some time, depending on how much content you want to export to your new site)
Step 4: Once the file copy is ready, you can download and save it as an .xml file on your computer. If you simply wanted to create a backup copy of your file, your process ends here. If not, then keep reading.
Step 5: You are almost done. But, if you are planning to export the entire site, including the themes and plugins – read further to discover other methods.
Method 2: Migrate the entire website using a Duplicator plugin
The Duplicator is an excellent plugin that can help you copy the entire WordPress website and transfer it to a new location. Also, this plugin can help you transfer your entire database and content files. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Go to your WordPress dashboard and install the Duplicator plugin.
Step 2: Browse through the newly created Duplicator option. On the left-hand sidebar, select your packages.
Step 3: Click on “Create New,” enter the name of your selected packages, and hit “Next”
Step 4: By this time, your Duplicator plugin will launch system scan to check your site for potential challenges. In case it encounters one, the Duplicator will flag it so that you can fix the problem before proceeding further.
Step 5: Once the scan is completed and you have fixed the issues, if any; select the content you wish to export and click on the “Build Button”.
Step 6: By this time, your site package gets ready. Make sure to keep your browser window open.
Step 7: Once the package gets ready, select the “One-Click Download Option.” Now, you can download your site as one file, along with the installer-php file. It will help import your site to a new WordPress installation.
Step 8: If you just wanted to download a copy of your website as a backup, you are done here. But, if your plan is to export the website to a new host, create a new database. Keep reading to find out how it’s done.
Method 3: Export the website manually using FTP and phpMyAdmin
Note: This method is not compatible for beginners. Therefore, our WordPress agency would suggest to try the above-mentioned methods until you are thorough with the website functioning. For tech-savvy experts, here are the following steps to follow to export the website manually via FTP and phpMyAdmin.
Step 1: Connect with your existing site’s server using FTP. For this, you will need an FTP client and FTP credentials, which includes your username, password, a host, and port provided by your web host.
Step 2: Once you have received all the credentials, insert them and click on “QuickConnect”.
Step 3: Now you will see multiple folders on the right-side of your FTP interface.
Step 4: Locate your site’s root folder, labelled as public_html (or your site’s domain name). It is where your site’s folder and files get stored.
Step 5: Drag and drop any content from the server to your local computer. If you want to move the entire website, highlight everything in the public_html directory and drag it to your local computer.
Step 6: By this time, your entire site’s files have been exported. But, if you wish to export a database, use phpMyAdmin. You can either access it via your hosting account under “Databases” or a similar section in the control panel.
Step 7: In phpMyAdmin, find the “Export” tab and choose your preferred method. Select SQL as the format and click on “Go.”
Step 8: Your database will get downloaded, which you can upload to a fresh WordPress installation or keep as your backup for future sales.
Final Thought
Exporting your entire WordPress website to a new location or creating a backup of your blog posts and files can become a life-saver in the long run. Still unable to export your site’s content? Connect with our certified WordPress professionals to seek expert guidance or you can hire WordPress experts from a certified, well-renowned WordPress agency.
