WordPress Site Migration Checklist

Moving a WordPress site to a new host, a new domain, or both can go smoothly with a plan. Use this checklist to keep your site, search rankings, and email intact.

Before you start

[ ] Decide what's changing: the host, the domain, or both.
[ ] Check that the new host meets WordPress's current requirements (PHP and database versions).
[ ] Update WordPress, plugins, and themes on the old site first. See How to Update WordPress Safely (Back Up First).
[ ] Remove plugins and themes you don't use.
[ ] Take a full backup of files and database, and keep it somewhere safe. See Website Backups: What to Back Up, How Often, and How Restores Work.
[ ] Write down or export your current DNS records, including email (MX and TXT). See Domain, DNS, and Business Email Basics: Who Owns What.
[ ] Pick a quiet time and let your team know about a short content freeze.

Moving the site

[ ] Copy all files, including wp-content (themes, plugins, and uploads).
[ ] Export the database and import it on the new host.
[ ] Update wp-config.php with the new database name, user, password, and host.
[ ] Changing domains? Update the site address. A simple find-and-replace on the database can break some stored data, so use a tool made for WordPress (like a migration plugin or WP-CLI's search-replace) that handles it safely.
[ ] Re-save permalinks at Settings > Permalinks (just click Save Changes).

Many hosts and migration plugins handle these steps for you.

Test before going live

[ ] Preview the site on the new host before changing DNS (many hosts offer a temporary URL).
[ ] Click through key pages, menus, and images.
[ ] Test forms, logins, and any store or booking features.
[ ] Check for mixed content warnings (images or files still loading over http://).

Going live

[ ] Point DNS to the new host (usually the A record). Leave MX records alone unless email is moving too.
[ ] Set up SSL on the new host so the site loads on https://.
[ ] Keep the old hosting active for a while until DNS has fully switched over.

Changing domains? Add redirects

[ ] Set up 301 redirects from every old URL to the matching new one. See How to Add a Redirect in WordPress.
[ ] Add the new domain in Google Search Console and use its change of address tool.

After launch

[ ] Check that Settings > Reading > Search engine visibility isn't set to discourage search engines.
[ ] Confirm analytics is recording visits.
[ ] Submit your sitemap in Google Search Console and watch for errors.
[ ] Check that backups are running on the new host.
[ ] Test email sending from the site, like form notifications.
[ ] Cancel the old hosting once everything's confirmed (and you have a backup).

How 3by400 can help

We plan and handle site moves, including redirects and DNS, so nothing gets lost. Learn about our website development work.

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Ready to talk about your website? Start a project or reach us at 678-379-9321 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We're based in Dalton, GA, and work with businesses everywhere.

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