Migrating a WordPress site is a job that can instill anxious feelings even in website owners who have already done this job a couple of times in their lives. Some steps have to be taken in exact order, nothing can be forgotten or left behind, and some unexpected things may happen, especially if a website is being migrated to a different hosting and server configuration.
That is one of the reasons why there is a growing number of companies are offering website migration as a service, but still, a huge part of WordPress users choose to do this job on their own terms and at the exact time they need it, with less money and time spent. In such situations, WordPress site owners go for migration plugins. There are many to choose from, and they vary in complexity.
Most WordPress users will want a simple and reliable solution to complete the site migration in as few required steps as possible. Therefore, we picked the (free) Backup Migration plugin for this guide. This is a proven plugin, with a growing palette of cool features with each plugin update, yet the focal point of this plugin – ease of use – firmly remains.
The entire process of site migration is neatly broken down into halves: the first stage consists of creating backups, and the second stage represents the actual migration. It’s that plain.
Backup creation
The first part of the process is a quick one. Here’s how you create the backup:
- To get started, install the Backup Migration plugin on your source site. You have two easy options: swiftly do it through the WordPress Dashboard or manually download and install it from the WordPress plugin directory at https://wordpress.org/plugins/backup-backup/.
- After activating the plugin on your website, it seamlessly redirects you to its dedicated menu page in the WordPress Dashboard. Head further to the “What will be backed up?” menu section. For a comprehensive backup, select all files, folders, and databases without exceptions. Once you do, hit the “Save” button to ensure a complete site backup.
- With a single click on the “Create backup now!” button, the plugin initiates the backup process, swiftly completing it within a minute or two for smaller sites. However, larger websites, over 2GB, might benefit from the premium version of Backup Migration. Once the backup is done, it is best practice to download the backup file, ensuring you have a safe local copy.
Migration
The second act, the migration process, takes center stage on the destination site, which you need to set up beforehand. Most WordPress hosting providers nowadays offer an easy WordPress instance launch feature, so you should check that with your hosting, if you are less lucky and the option is not available, you will have to resort to an alternative, such as a manual WordPress setup.
Follow the migration steps on the destination site:
- Install the Backup Migration plugin the same way you did on the source site and jump into the plugin’s menu.
- Navigate to the “Manage & Restore Backup(s)” section. You’ll find three restoration options there, designed to fit your specific case:
I. Super-quick migration: If you’re moving to a new domain, this is the right option for you. Simply paste the backup file’s link from the source site and click the “Restore now!” button. Backup file links can be easily copied from the same plugin menu screen, and it is marked with a small link icon.
II. Upload backup files: With this option, you can manually upload backup (zip) files. You can manage it by either selecting the file or using the drag-and-drop method. Once your backup file is uploaded to the website, commence the restoration by clicking on the “Restore” button, found right beside your listed backup file.
III. External storage: Select this option to keep your backups securely stored on the cloud. Google Drive is currently available, with more options coming soon. Connect your Google account in the Backup Migration plugin’s “Where shall the backup(s) be stored?” section, and automatically sync your backup files across your online ventures. Click “Restore” when you’re ready to restore your site in the “Manage & Restore Backups” section.
Having completed these steps, your migration journey concludes, and your source site settles into its new home.
Tweaking Your Website Backup and Migration Process
Beginning the practice of creating backups and migrating your website involves several key considerations for a seamless and efficient process. Let’s explore these crucial aspects:
Handling Large Files
During the lifespan of your WordPress site, it’s typical for numerous files and folders to accumulate, some becoming outdated or simply forgotten. While routine website cleanup often gets overlooked, a site migration presents an ideal opportunity to declutter your digital space. Enter the Backup Migration plugin, which offers an incredibly convenient solution through its “Exclusion rules,” as mentioned in Step 2 earlier.
Out of the box, this plugin arrives with preset exclusion rules crafted to omit files surpassing 100MB – often remnants of old backup files. Bulky, unnecessary files like poorly compressed videos, long-forgotten, could also fall into this category. Naturally, there might be other examples as well.
Worried about missing essential files? The plugin meticulously logs all excluded files during backup creation, allowing you to monitor precisely which ones are left out. If large files are still actively in use on your site, you have the option to relocate them manually, significantly speeding up the backup process. Alternatively, if you’re aware of specific large files, you can opt to exclude them directly using file paths, names, or unique strings within the filenames.
Managing Gigantic Databases
While hefty media files like videos or audio can contribute to your website’s overall size and also backup files, they usually don’t present a major hurdle during backups. Yet, handling extensive databases is a different story, often needing extra attention during website migrations. Luckily, the creators of the Backup Migration plugin have included advanced features to address this too, guaranteeing a seamless backup and migration, even on slower servers. After all, many websites migrate due to outgrowing their current hosting servers or plans.
Under the “Other Options” section of the Backup Migration plugin, you’ll discover settings related to your website’s database. Should you have a particularly large database, it’s important to adjust these settings accordingly:
- Consider bypassing server limits (options 2 or 3).
- Disable PHP CLI checking and utilize alternative methods.
- Set the number of database queries per batch to 100.
- Enable SQL-Splitting for a more streamlined experience.
Maintaining Ongoing Backups
Once the migration wraps up, the journey doesn’t end there. Safeguarding your WordPress site becomes an ongoing responsibility. Among the essentials is establishing regular automated backups. These backups can be a lifeline in unforeseen website mishaps, swiftly restoring your site to its former state, saving time, and resources, and keeping stress at bay.
The Backup Migration plugin enables users to schedule automatic backups at intervals that suit their needs, minimizing disruption to website traffic. You can also specify the number of backups to retain, automatically replacing older ones to prevent unnecessary space consumption.
By incorporating these strategies and leveraging the Backup Migration plugin’s capabilities into your backup and migration process, you fortify your website’s integrity and streamline your journey toward a more efficient, stress-free web management experience.
Let’s wrap it up!
Not long ago, migrating your WordPress site usually involved paying for assistance or relying on hosting agencies for the heavy lifting. However, times have evolved, and thanks to user-friendly migration tools like the Backup Migration plugin, the ability to seamlessly migrate your site now rests firmly in your hands.
Bid farewell to time-consuming hassles and unnecessary expenses. Today’s site owners can confidently take control, conducting secure, independent migrations that save both time and valuable resources. This exceptional plugin effortlessly simplifies the process, becoming a must-have for webmasters seeking a smoother, stress-free journey.
