Migrating your WordPress website is actually quite easy. If you are moving to another host, if you are looking to bring your site a local environment, or if you have another use case… migrating your WordPress website isn’t that hard.
There are multiple ways to go about it, including doing it manually and exporting the database, and blah, blah, blah. No need to delve into that any further. Let’s get it done the quick way by using All-in-One WP Migration.
Note: Click here for the video.
1. Getting Started
The first thing you’ll want to do is install and activate the All-in-One WP Migration plugin. Go to Plugins in the admin menu on the left side of the dashboard. Click the “Add New” menu item that pops out, or click “Add New” after you click on Plugins. Once the page loads you are able to search.
Search for All In One WP Migrations and click “Install Now”. Once the installation is complete, click “Activate”.
2. Creating a Backup
Next, you’ll need to create your backup file. Go to the new admin menu item on the left side of the dashboard that says “All-in-One WP Migration”. Click on “Export” in the menu that pops out or after you click All-in-One WP Migration.
Once the box pops up that says “Export To”, you’ll click that and then in the dropdown click “File”.
The backup file will be created once you click “File”. A box pops up that tells you where you are in the process of creating the file. In the end you have the option to download your backup file.
3. Migrate Your Website
Once you have the backup file downloaded you can go to your new host, local environment, or wherever you plan to migrate your website and begin the import. The first thing you’ll need to do is create a blank WordPress website and install the All-in-One WP Migration plugin on the blank website just like you did before.
In the admin menu on the left side of the dashboard you’ll click Import, which shows below the All-in-One WP Migration menu item. Once there, you’ll drag and drop your backup file in the area that says “Import From” and “Drag & Drop a backup to import it”. Alternatively, you can click “Import From” and then select “File”.
Now your backup file is being imported!
There will be a prompt that pops up during the process where you’ll want to click “Proceed”. In the end, you will need to log back into your website and save your permalinks twice. In order to do that, you can click the link provided at the end of the import that will take you directly to the page to save permalinks upon logging in. If you are unsure how to access it after logging in, go to “Settings” on the left side of the dashboard and click “Permalinks” in the pop-out or in the menu below right after you click “Settings”. Once there, click “Save Changes” at the bottom of the page and then click it again once the page loads.
Final Notes
If your back is larger than 512 MB then you will need to install the Unlimited extension. The cost for that extension is a one-time fee of $69. If you have any issues importing your backup, you can upload your backup file directly within the “ai1wm-backups” folder. This folder is located in the “wp-content” folder. You can upload it through cPanel or via your FTP application. Once uploaded, you’ll go to “All-in-One WP Migrations” in the menu on the left side of the dashboard and click on “Backups”. Once there you should see your backup as an option and you’ll click restore. Follow the same process regarding permalinks once the import is complete.
I also created a video detailing this process. You can check that out here.