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Home › Blog › Ohjeet

Migrating a WordPress site to another server

Nordweb • 22.4.2026 • Ohjeet
Migrating a WordPress site to another server

Migrating a WordPress site to another server is something many site owners face at some point. The reason might be a change of provider, growing traffic or simply a better price. In this guide we go through everything you need for a successful migration: the preparations, three different migration methods, the most common pitfalls and a post-migration checklist.

If the migration feels overwhelming, Nordweb does it for you for free. More on that at the end of this guide.

When is it time to change servers?

Not all web hosting services are alike. The following signs tell you it is time to consider a migration:

  • The site is slow. A load time over 3 seconds means losing visitors and dropping in Google rankings. A cheap shared server gets overloaded easily.
  • Support does not respond or cannot help. WordPress problems require WordPress expertise, since general technical support is not always enough.
  • You have outgrown your current plan. Disk space runs out, RAM is not enough for WooCommerce or traffic spikes.
  • The price rises at renewal. Many providers lure you in with a cheap first year and triple the price at renewal.
  • The server is located in the wrong country. For a Finnish company it is important that the data stays in Finland and that GDPR is in order.

Nordweb's WordPress-optimised web hosting plans use the OpenLiteSpeed server software, NVMe disks and are located in a Finnish data centre. This combination is a significant improvement over most cheaper options.

Preparation before the migration

Good preparation is half the battle. Do not start the migration before you have done these things:

1. Take a complete backup

A backup means two things: files and the database. Copying just the files is not enough, since WordPress content (pages, articles, settings, users) lives in the database.

  • Use a backup plugin such as UpdraftPlus, BackWPup or Duplicator
  • Download the backup to your own computer. Do not rely on it being only on the server
  • Check that the backup opens and is intact before you continue

2. Write down the important details

  • All installed plugins and their versions
  • The active theme
  • The WordPress version
  • The PHP version (Tools → Site Health in the WordPress admin panel)
  • Edited files such as wp-config.php or .htaccess
  • All SMTP settings for sending email

3. Check the requirements of the new server

Make sure the new server supports at least PHP 8.1 and MariaDB/MySQL 5.7+. These are the recommended minimum requirements for WordPress 6.x.

Method 1, plugin-based migration (recommended for beginners)

Plugins are by far the easiest way to migrate WordPress without technical expertise. The two most popular options:

Duplicator

  1. Install the Duplicator plugin in the old site's WordPress admin panel
  2. Create a new package Duplicator → Packages → Create New
  3. Download two files installer.php and the .zip package
  4. Upload both files to the new server's public_html folder via FTP or the file manager
  5. Create an empty MySQL database and user on the new server (from your hosting control panel)
  6. Open in the browser sinuntunnus.fi/installer.php
  7. Follow the installation wizard enter the database details, confirm the URL and run the installation
  8. Delete installer.php for security reasons after the installation

Duplicator's limitation (free version) The package size is limited to about 500 MB. For larger sites you need the Pro version or a manual migration.

All-in-One WP Migration

  1. Install the All-in-One WP Migration plugin on the old site
  2. Export → File the plugin creates a single .wpress file
  3. Install WordPress cleanly on the new server
  4. Install the same plugin on the new WordPress
  5. Import → File upload the .wpress file
  6. The plugin replaces all content automatically

Note The upload limit of the free version of All-in-One WP Migration is 512 MB. Larger sites require the paid extension or a manual migration.

Method 2, manual migration (precise control)

A manual migration is the best option when you want precise control or when the site is too large for plugins. You need an FTP program (e.g. FileZilla) and access to phpMyAdmin on both servers.

Step 1, copy the files

  1. Connect to the old server via FTP
  2. Download the entire contents of the public_html folder to your own computer
  3. Upload the files to the corresponding folder on the new server via FTP

Important Do not forget hidden files such as .htaccess. In FileZilla: Server → Force showing hidden files.

Step 2, export the database

  1. Open phpMyAdmin on the old server
  2. Select the WordPress database from the left-hand menu
  3. Export → Quick → Format SQL → Go
  4. Save the .sql file to your computer

Step 3, import the database to the new server

  1. Create a new empty database and user in the new server's control panel
  2. Open phpMyAdmin on the new server, select the new database
  3. Import → select the .sql file → Go

Step 4, update wp-config.php

Edit the new server's wp-config.php file and update the database details:

define('DB_NAME', 'uusi_tietokanta');
define('DB_USER', 'uusi_kayttaja');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'salasana');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

Step 5, update the URL in the database

If the new domain is different from the old one, run an SQL query in phpMyAdmin:

UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = 'https://uusidomain.fi'
WHERE option_name = 'siteurl' OR option_name = 'home';

Remember to also update the URLs in the content. The best tool for this is Search Replace DB or WP-CLI's wp search-replace command.

Method 3, let Nordweb handle the migration (free)

Not interested in a technical migration? Completely understandable, since it is more complicated than it first looks.

Nordweb offers a free site migration service to all new customers. You do not have to touch the files, the database or FTP. We handle the migration for you and make sure the site works correctly on the new server.

Request a free migration

As part of the migration:

  • All files and the database are transferred safely
  • The SSL certificate and HTTPS redirects are verified
  • The site is tested before the DNS change
  • We guide you through the DNS change if your domain is registered elsewhere

If you have a domain registered elsewhere, you can also transfer the domain to Nordweb at the same time. That way everything stays in one place and renewals are not forgotten.

Post-migration checklist

Do not change the DNS before you have gone through this list:

Test the site first using the hosts file

Edit your computer's hosts file (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts on Windows or /etc/hosts on Mac/Linux) so that the domain points to the new server's IP address. This lets you test how the site works before the DNS change.

Checklist

  • The front page loads correctly
  • Internal links work (no 404 errors)
  • Images are displayed
  • The contact form works and sends email
  • You can log in to the WordPress admin panel
  • The SSL certificate is active (padlock in the browser)
  • The HTTPS redirect works (http:// redirects to https://)
  • The permalink structure is correct Settings → Permalinks → Save (rewrites the .htaccess file)
  • WooCommerce products and the shopping cart work (if in use)
  • Scheduled tasks and wp-cron work

DNS change

Once the site works correctly on the new server, update the DNS records:

  • A record point it to the new server's IP address
  • TTL lower the TTL to 300 seconds before the change so that the change propagates faster
  • A DNS change typically propagates worldwide within 1-24 hours

Keep the old server active for another 48-72 hours during DNS propagation. That way visitors using the old cache can reach the site from both servers.

The most common mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake 1, No backup before the migration

If the migration goes wrong without a backup, you are in serious trouble. Always take a complete backup before any action, that is, both the files and the database separately.

Mistake 2, the URLs stayed at the old address

WordPress stores absolute URLs in the database. If you forget to search and replace the old domain with the new one, you get broken links and missing images. Use the Search Replace DB tool or WP-CLI's wp search-replace 'vanhaurl.fi' 'uusiurl.fi' --all-tables command.

Mistake 3, the PHP version does not match

The old server may have run PHP 7.4, but the new one offers PHP 8.2. First check whether all your plugins are compatible with the newer PHP, since PHP 8.x is not fully backwards compatible with old add-ons.

Mistake 4, the DNS is changed too early

Never change the DNS before you have made sure the site works correctly on the new server. Editing the hosts file is a safe way to test without other visitors seeing the changes.

Mistake 5, email settings are forgotten

Many plugins (WooCommerce, forms, notifications) send email through the server. Make sure the SMTP settings are in order on the new server. Otherwise order confirmations and contact forms stop working.

Mistake 6, wrong file permissions

WordPress file permissions should be: folders 755, files 644 and wp-config.php 600. Wrong permissions can cause 500 errors or security holes.

FAQ, frequently asked questions

How long does migrating a WordPress site take?
Migrating a small site with a plugin typically takes 1-2 hours. A manual migration of a large site can take half a day. After the DNS change it is worth allowing 24 hours for propagation. With Nordweb's free migration service we agree on the schedule together.
Does the site go down during the migration?
In practice, no. The migration is done so that the old site stays up the whole time. Only once the new one works correctly is the DNS changed. Any downtime is at most a few minutes during DNS propagation, and it happens gradually for different visitors.
Do I lose my Google ranking with a WordPress migration?
No, if the migration is done correctly. Your domain stays the same, so the URL structure and links are preserved. Make sure SSL works and the HTTPS redirects are in order. A brief fluctuation in traffic at the moment of migration is normal, but rankings recover within a few days.
Do I need to buy a new WordPress licence?
No. WordPress itself is free, open-source software, and there is no separate licence. However, paid plugins and themes may require updating the licence details to the new domain or server. Check this in the documentation of each paid add-on.
Can I migrate a WordPress site to a different domain at the same time?
Yes. This requires searching and replacing the URLs in the database (Search Replace DB or WP-CLI). Remember to also update both the siteurl and home address under Settings → General in the WordPress admin panel. If you are also moving the domain registrar, see our domain transfer guide for more detailed instructions.

Summary

Migrating a WordPress site to another server is entirely possible to do yourself, as long as you prepare well and follow the instructions step by step. A plugin-based migration is the easiest for a beginner, a manual migration gives the most control, and Nordweb's free migration service is the best option when you want the certainty that everything goes right without stress.

You will find more technical guides and instructions in Nordweb's guide library.

Ready to move to a better server? Explore the WordPress-optimised web hosting plans or request a free site migration. We handle everything for you.