New WP site and new host

Avatar
  • updated
  • Answered

I have a website hosted on another hosting service. I've built a new WP site (on a localhost) and I also want to move to Inmotion. So, I need to switch to a new WP site, and move to a new hosting service, at the same time. What is the simplest way to do this - move the old site to inmotion first, and then replace the WP files and database?

Pinned replies
Avatar
anonymous
  • Answer
Quote from Curtis Library

Thanks for your response, Ronnie. I'm wondering if it is possible to do this without moving the old site over. I ask, as the old site has a lot of issues and I'd really like to just upload the new site to the new host (inmotion), and then take down the old site from the old host. 

There shouldn't be an issue with that, as long as you are completely okay starting over with your new site. In that case, you can try uploading the files via FTP. We usually suggest the FTP program FileZilla. Also, it's easier to upload everything as a compressed file (like a .zip or .tar.gz) then extract it in the cPanel file manager.


If you've never done this before, the trickiest part is going to be setting up the database. You'll need to create a new/empty database in cPanel, then import your recently designed site's database into it. After, all you need to do is find your wp-config.php file and edit the database settings and prefix to match the 'new' database you just created and imported the old one into!

That last step is easier than it sounds-- if you take care of everything else and just need us to help you connect the database, that will be a quick fix from our 24/7 Technical Support team if you wanted to call, chat, or send in a verified ticket.


Just to be safe, I would suggest making a backup of your old site if you have the room. At the least, a database backup of the old site is probably going to be a small file. The database is the single most useful piece of a WordPress site to save. 


Ultimately, though, you don't need to worry about the old site at all if you're prepared to start fresh!

Avatar
anonymous
  • Answer
Quote from Curtis Library

Thanks for your response, Ronnie. I'm wondering if it is possible to do this without moving the old site over. I ask, as the old site has a lot of issues and I'd really like to just upload the new site to the new host (inmotion), and then take down the old site from the old host. 

There shouldn't be an issue with that, as long as you are completely okay starting over with your new site. In that case, you can try uploading the files via FTP. We usually suggest the FTP program FileZilla. Also, it's easier to upload everything as a compressed file (like a .zip or .tar.gz) then extract it in the cPanel file manager.


If you've never done this before, the trickiest part is going to be setting up the database. You'll need to create a new/empty database in cPanel, then import your recently designed site's database into it. After, all you need to do is find your wp-config.php file and edit the database settings and prefix to match the 'new' database you just created and imported the old one into!

That last step is easier than it sounds-- if you take care of everything else and just need us to help you connect the database, that will be a quick fix from our 24/7 Technical Support team if you wanted to call, chat, or send in a verified ticket.


Just to be safe, I would suggest making a backup of your old site if you have the room. At the least, a database backup of the old site is probably going to be a small file. The database is the single most useful piece of a WordPress site to save. 


Ultimately, though, you don't need to worry about the old site at all if you're prepared to start fresh!

Avatar
Curtis Library

Thanks for your response, Ronnie. I'm wondering if it is possible to do this without moving the old site over. I ask, as the old site has a lot of issues and I'd really like to just upload the new site to the new host (inmotion), and then take down the old site from the old host. 

Avatar
anonymous
  • Answered

Thanks for getting in touch with us!

So, there are a lot of small things that can go wrong in a situation like this, depending on how exactly the new site is designed. It's usually a straightforward process of uploading the new site's files to the old site and activating everything, but there are just enough things that can go wrong in terms of database errors and plugin conflicts. 

The best way to account for that problem is to be careful! Here's how I would suggest doing it. 

First, set up an account here at InMotion.

Next, move your old website from your previous host over to InMotion. You can do this yourself if you are in a hurry. If you have enough time to let our website transfer team move it for you, that's going to be much easier and is included as a courtesy on your new account. 

Once the old site has been transferred to our server and you confirm that it is working, I'd go ahead and both make some backups and clone the site. That way, if something goes wrong, you have a few functional and untouched copies of the site ready to go!

With all that out of the way, you can then start uploading the files and setting up the new site while still keeping the old content.