How to migrate a WordPress site from one server to another

There are 2 scenarios that you can follow in order to migrate a website, using plugins:

• first - using the Duplicator plugin
• second - using UpdraftPlus plugin

First Scenario - using the Duplicator plugin

The  Duplicator plugin is the best free alternative and an extremely popular backup and migration plugin.

Step 1:

Download and Install the plugin.

Step 2:

Go to Dashboard > Duplicator.

Step 3:

You’ll enter the  main setup screen. Create a package by clicking the Create New button. 

Step 4:

The plugin will perform a scan of the server, files, and database to detect any possible issues, then click on the Build button.

Step 5:

After completing the process, you will get a  download button for an installer (.php file) and for the archive you just created (a zip file). Download both of them.

Step 6:

Login to your FTP and upload the "installer.php" and "archive" zip files. 

Step 7:

Launch the installer.php file. 

Step 8:

After launching, this is the resulted page, containing the Deployment phase:

Accept the  terms & notices and click on Next.

Step 9:

This is the part when you'll have to install the Database.

There are 2 available actions:

• connect and remove all data - it will remove the previous data 
• create a new database - it will create a database for the new information (and this is the purpose of the migration)

Add database details and check the “I have read all warnings & notices” check-box.

Click the " Run Deployment" button.

Step 10:

You will be asked if you want to run the installer using those details. Click on the Yes button.

Step 11:

Expand the Options menu (1) and enable the "Use Database Full Search Mode" check-box (2).

Then, click on the Next button.

Finally, this is the last step of the process, the "Test Site" step.

Next time you will enter the address (http://[localhost]/[directory_name]), the site will be identical to the imported one:

Second Scenario - using  UpdraftPlus plugin

Step 1:

Download and Install the plugin.

Check this documentation about how to install WordPress plugins.

Step 2:

Go to the Plugin Section > UpdraftPlus > Settings.

Step 3:

Go to Settings - the tab where you will have to establish a backup schedule.

Step 4:

For a manual backup, go to the Backup/ Restore section (1) and click on the Backup Now button (2).

Step 5:

Wait until the backup is finished, then go to the Existing Backups section and choose which data you want to download.

Restoring the backup

Go to the Dashboard > Settings (1) > UpdraftPlus Backups (2) > Upload backup files (3).

If you have saved the backup files on your computer, you can manually add and restore them.