Migrating a WordPress website can be a daunting task, whether you're switching hosts, moving to a new domain, or upgrading from a local server to live. Without a proper plan, you risk data loss, broken links, downtime, or SEO issues. That’s why having a clear, step-by-step WordPress migration checklist is crucial.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the complete process, ensuring a smooth and secure migration with minimal disruptions. Whether you're a developer or a business owner handling your own site, this guide has you covered.

Why Migrate a WordPress Site?
Before diving into the checklist, it’s worth understanding why WordPress site migration is necessary:
Switching to a better hosting provider

Moving from HTTP to HTTPS

Changing your domain name

Creating a staging environment

Upgrading from a local to a live server

Consolidating multisite networks or moving to a single site

Each scenario may slightly differ, but the core migration steps remain the same.

Pre-Migration Checklist

1. Backup Your Entire Website Before making any changes, take a full backup of your WordPress files and database. This ensures that you can restore your site if something goes wrong. Use plugins like UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or Duplicator

Alternatively, use cPanel or FTP and phpMyAdmin for manual backups

1. Choose the Right Hosting Environment Make sure the new hosting environment supports: PHP 7.4 or higher

MySQL 5.6 or MariaDB 10.1 or higher

HTTPS support

Adequate storage and bandwidth

1. Check File Permissions and Server Configurations Ensure that your server supports the required file permissions (typically 755 for directories and 644 for files) and has necessary configurations like .htaccess, mod_rewrite, etc.
2. Disable Caching and Security Plugins Temporarily Plugins like W3 Total Cache, Sucuri, or Wordfence can interfere with migration. Temporarily disable them to avoid conflicts.

Migration Methods
You can migrate your WordPress site using one of three common methods:

1. Manual Migration (Advanced Users) Involves downloading files and database, editing wp-config.php, uploading to the new server, and updating URLs.
2. Using a Plugin (Recommended for Non-Tech Users) Popular plugins include: All-in-One WP Migration

Duplicator

Migrate Guru

WPvivid Backup Plugin

1. Using Hosting Provider’s Migration Tools Many managed WordPress hosts offer one-click migration tools or free migration services. Examples: SiteGround, Kinsta, WP Engine, etc.

Post-Migration Checklist

1. Update wp-config.php
   Make sure database name, username, password, and host values reflect the new environment.
   define('DB_NAME', 'new_db_name');
   define('DB_USER', 'new_db_user');
   define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_password');
   define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

2. Update Site URL
   If you’ve changed the domain or moved from local to live:
   In wp-admin: Settings → General → Update WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL)

Or via database: Edit siteurl and home fields in the wp_options table

1. Fix Broken Links and Media Paths Use a plugin like Better Search Replace or Velvet Blues Update URLs to replace old URLs with new ones throughout the database.
2. Re-Save Permalinks Go to Settings → Permalinks, and click “Save Changes” to refresh permalink structures.
3. Check for Missing Images or Files Sometimes media files don't transfer properly. Re-upload missing files manually via FTP or Media Library.

SEO & Performance Considerations

1. Implement 301 Redirects (if Domain Changed) Use an SEO plugin like Rank Math or Yoast SEO to set up redirects from old URLs to new ones.
2. Submit New Sitemap to Google Search Console Ensure your site’s indexation isn’t affected. Generate and submit a new sitemap after migration.
3. Test Site Speed & Caching Check with GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights, and enable caching via plugins or server-side solutions.
4. Enable HTTPS & SSL Install an SSL certificate and update all internal links to use https://.

Final Testing Checklist
✔ Login/logout functionality
✔ Page layouts and CSS
✔ Plugin and theme compatibility
✔ Forms, search, and navigation
✔ Contact forms and newsletter signups
✔ E-commerce functionality (if applicable)
✔ Mobile responsiveness
✔ 404 pages and custom redirects

Common WordPress Migration Issues
White screen of death: Usually due to PHP errors or theme/plugin incompatibility.

Database connection errors: Incorrect credentials in wp-config.php.

Mixed content warnings: Caused by HTTP resources on an HTTPS site.

Login issues: Clear cookies or use /wp-login.php instead of /wp-admin.

Tools & Resources
Here are a few tools and resources to simplify the migration process:
WP Migrate DB Pro – Great for database migrations

All-in-One WP Migration – Plugin for full-site migration

Migrate Guru – One-click migration solution

Search Replace DB – For updating URLs in the database

UpdraftPlus – Backup and restore solution

Final Thoughts
Migrating a WordPress website doesn’t have to be stressful if you follow a structured checklist. By backing up your site, using the right tools, and validating everything post-migration, you can ensure a smooth transition with minimal downtime.
If you’re not confident in managing the process yourself or your site is particularly large or complex, consider hiring a WordPress developer or migration expert to handle it for you.