WordPress is the world\u2019s most popular web building tool, powering over a third of all websites today. You can use it to create and manage just about any sort of site, from the most basic of blogs and portfolios to full-featured eCommerce stores.<\/span><\/p>\n While WordPress an open-source platform and free to download, you still need a way to get your website online and keep it up and running 24\/7. Short of turning your spare bedroom into a high-tech data centre, this is where Managed WordPress Hosting<\/a> comes in.<\/span><\/p>\n As your business grows, you may decide it\u2019s time to switch to a new hosting provider. Maybe your site\u2019s running slow, you\u2019re looking for better value, or you\u2019re after for more support. Moving to the right host might also help keep your site secure and ready for more traffic \u2014 things every growing business needs.<\/span><\/p>\n In an ideal world, every host would be brilliant, giving you fast speeds, excellent support, and solid security without any headaches. Alas, things don\u2019t go as planned sometimes, and you might find it\u2019s time to make a move. <\/span><\/p>\n Here are a few signs it might be time to switch:<\/span><\/p>\n Unexpected downtime is a killer. If your site\u2019s regularly down and your host doesn\u2019t fix it fast, it\u2019s time to find a more reliable one.<\/span><\/p>\n A slow site frustrates visitors and harms your search rankings. If your host can\u2019t deliver the speed you need, it\u2019s worth finding one that can.<\/span><\/p>\n As your site grows, your host needs to grow with it. If they can\u2019t handle the extra traffic or resources, it\u2019s time to move on.<\/span><\/p>\n When your site\u2019s down, you need support that\u2019s quick and helpful. If you\u2019re stuck waiting, it might be time for a change.<\/span><\/p>\n Need features like WooCommerce or better security? If your host doesn\u2019t support them, moving to one that does can make a big difference.<\/span><\/p>\n Managing updates and backups manually is time-consuming and risky. A managed host can handle this for you, so you don\u2019t have to worry.<\/span><\/p>\n Security should be a top priority. If your host isn\u2019t providing SSL certificates, malware scans, firewalls, and automatic backups then you could well be leaving your site exposed.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a technical user and you\u2019ve been running your own hosting setup, perhaps the success of your website has seen it reach the point that it\u2019s outgrown what you can handle alone. Managed hosting takes care of updates, security and, perhaps most importantly, more power so your site can handle higher traffic.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re paying for a service that doesn\u2019t meet your needs, shop around. A host offering better features at a better price is always a win.<\/span><\/p>\n There are three options when it comes to moving your WordPress site over: using an automated tool, making use of a downloadable third-party plugin, or going it alone with manual migration.<\/span><\/p>\n For most users, especially if you\u2019re new to migration, we\u2019d recommend going the automatic route. 123 Reg Managed WordPress Hosting<\/a> comes with an incredibly easy 1-click migration tool, plus fantastic support along the way. (Of course, getting top customer support is one great reason to switch!)<\/span><\/p>\n While automatic migration is the easiest option, using a plugin offers more control over the process, without quite as much complexity as manual migration. Manual migration, on the other hand, is the most involved \u2014 calling for FTP, database work, and file changes \u2014 but offers full control for the tech-savvy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So, here we go: we\u2019ll walk you through these methods in order of easiest to hardest: (A) Automatic, (B) Plugin-based, and (C) Manual.<\/span><\/p>\n Moving a WordPress site essentially involves the same basic steps: back up your content, move your files, update your domain settings, and you\u2019re good to go. It doesn\u2019t have to be complicated.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re using 1-click automatic migration, most of the work is done for you. But a few quick checks will help keep things smooth.<\/span><\/p>\n Update WordPress<\/strong> to the latest version to avoid any issues.<\/span><\/p>\n Back up your site <\/strong>\u2014 just in case. The migration tool handles the move, but having a copy of your database and files gives peace of mind.<\/span><\/p>\n Deactivate caching plugins<\/strong> or anything else that might interfere. No need to remove them\u2014just turn them off for now.<\/span><\/p>\n Remember that custom tweaks made to core files won\u2019t be transferred during migration<\/strong>. Files like wp-config.php or functions.php are part of the default WordPress setup, and any customisations you\u2019ve made won\u2019t carry over to the new site. <\/span><\/p>\n The good news is that the destination site should automatically run the latest version of WordPress and PHP. This gives you a fresh start, with the most up-to-date features and security, but you\u2019ll need to reapply any custom tweaks after the migration to make sure everything works as expected.<\/span><\/p>\n As ever, one of the great things about WordPress is the community and all the resources out there. For more info on how to back up manually, check out the official <\/span>WordPress Developer Resources<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Automatic migration is the easiest way to move your WordPress site. Most of the hard work, like transferring files, databases, and settings, is handled for you.<\/span><\/p>\n 123 Reg Managed WordPress Hosting<\/a> offers a simple one-click migration tool that automatically connects to your old host, copies your files, and sets things up on the new server.<\/span><\/p>\n To get started, simply head to your 123 Reg My Products page and navigate to the Managed WordPress section.<\/span><\/p>\n Click on \u201cManage All\u201d and select \u201cCreate WP Site.\u201d Choose the option to move an existing WordPress site, then enter your domain name, WordPress username, and password.<\/span><\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve filled in the details, follow the prompts to begin the migration. After the transfer, you may need to make a few quick adjustments, but most of the work is already done for you.<\/span><\/p>\n Update DNS settings (if needed)\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n After the migration, you may need to update your DNS settings to point your domain to your new hosting. If your domain is registered with 123 Reg, this can often be handled automatically. However, if your domain is with another provider, you\u2019ll need to update the A record or nameservers to direct traffic to your new site.<\/span><\/p>\n DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate, so your site may briefly load from the old host during this time. To minimise downtime, check that everything looks right on your new hosting before making DNS updates. For more, see our support article:<\/span> Domain Name System (DNS) Management Guide<\/a><\/p>\n \u2610 Migrate during off-peak hours<\/strong> to avoid affecting visitors during busy times. This will help things run smoothly while you make the switch.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2610 Clear all caches<\/strong>, including plugin and browser caches, before and after migration. This helps everything load correctly.<\/span><\/p>\n Migrating your WordPress website with a plugin is the next easiest way to go about it, second only to automatic migration. <\/span><\/p>\n A good plugin will do much of the heavy lifting, so you don\u2019t need to worry about manual file transfers or database imports.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Each plugin is a little different, but they work in more or less the same way. <\/span><\/p>\n As always, do a bit of research before picking a plugin\u2014look for ones with solid reviews (aim for over 4 stars!). These popular options are trusted for a reason, but always be cautious with third-party plugins and make sure they\u2019re from reputable sources.<\/span><\/p>\n Just a few well-known options include:<\/span><\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0 All-in-One WP Migration<\/span><\/a> Install your chosen plugin from your WordPress dashboard. Go to Plugins > Add New, search for the plugin, click Install, and activate it.<\/span><\/p>\n Back Up Your Site<\/strong><\/span> Set Up the New Site<\/strong><\/span> The plugin will handle most of the migration work, including updating settings and URLs where necessary. After the move, check that everything looks right\u2014images, links, and content.<\/span><\/p>\n Update DNS Settings<\/strong><\/span> Clean Up<\/strong><\/span> See also:<\/span> A Beginner\u2019s Guide to WordPress Plugins<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Into the nitty-gritty, now. Manual migration gives you full control, making it ideal for those who don\u2019t mind the extra work and want full customisation at every step.<\/span><\/p>\n The DIY approach demands technical know-how, so if you\u2019re confident in your skills and enjoy getting hands-on, it\u2019s an option. Just be aware, if you\u2019re not familiar with file transfers or databases, mistakes can happen.<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s how you can manually migrate your WordPress website to a new host,\u00a0 step by step:<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Backup, backup!<\/b><\/p>\n First things first: before you get started, be sure to back up your current WordPress website \u2014 files, database, and everything else. If your website is important to you (and, let\u2019s face it, it probably is), this step is a biggie. If anything goes wrong during the move, you\u2019ll have everything safe and sound, ready to get back up and running.<\/span><\/p>\n 2. Create a New Database<\/b><\/p>\n WordPress uses a MySQL database to store all the important parts of your website \u2014 be that posts, pages, user accounts, or settings.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When migrating your site, this database needs to move with it, as it holds everything that makes your site work. Choosing automatic or manual migration, the database transfer is always part of the process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The first step, then, will be to head over to your new host\u2019s control panel (eg., cPanel) and set up a fresh MySQL database.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019ll need to:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2610 Create the database itself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2610 Add a new user and assign them full privileges to the database.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2610 Keep note of the database name, username, and password\u2014you\u2019ll need these later.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Be sure to select the correct character set and collation for the database (typically utf8mb4_general_ci) for full compatibility with your content. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.123-reg.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/wordpressblog.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhen should I migrate my WordPress site to a new hosting provider?<\/h2>\n
Your site keeps going offline.<\/h4>\n
Your site\u2019s too slow.<\/h4>\n
Your host can\u2019t keep up with growth.<\/h4>\n
Support isn\u2019t cutting it.<\/h4>\n
Missing key features.<\/h4>\n
You have to handle updates and backups yourself.<\/h4>\n
Security is lacking.<\/h4>\n
You\u2019re ready for a managed solution.<\/h4>\n
You\u2019re not getting good value.<\/h4>\n
How do I migrate my WordPress website?<\/h2>\n
Before you begin<\/h3>\n
Automatic Migration: How to move your WordPress site the easy way<\/h2>\n
123 Reg 1-click WordPress migration<\/h4>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nQuick tips:<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.123-reg.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/mike-floodgate-123-reg-customer.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPlugin Migration: How to move your WordPress site using a third-party tool<\/h2>\n
Choosing your plugin<\/h4>\n
\u2610\u00a0 UpdraftPlus<\/span><\/a>
\u2610\u00a0 Duplicator<\/span><\/a>
\u2610\u00a0 WP Migrate DB<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nInstalling your plugin<\/h4>\n
Once the plugin is set up, follow its instructions to back up your site, including files, themes, plugins, and the database. Download the backup to your computer.<\/span><\/p>\n
Install a fresh copy of WordPress on your new host, either using your provider\u2019s installer or via wordpress.org. Then, install the same migration plugin and upload the backup file.<\/span><\/p>\n
Once the migration is complete, update your DNS settings to point to the new host (this can take up to 48 hours).<\/span><\/p>\n
Deactivating the migration plugin and removing unnecessary files is a good idea. Tools like WP-Optimize or WP-Sweep can help with this.<\/span><\/p>\nManual Migration: How to move your WordPress site yourself<\/h2>\n