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Move WordPress to Your Live Site With a Plugin

A migration plugin packs your whole local WordPress site into one file. You then unpack it on your live hosting. This is the easy way to move a site.

Backups and Migration2 min read14 steps12 screenshots

What is a migration plugin?

A plugin is a small add-on for WordPress. A migration plugin copies your files and your database together. A database is the place where WordPress keeps your posts and settings. The plugin also fixes the web address inside your content for you.

Popular choices include All-in-One WP Migration and Duplicator. These are made by other companies. Their screens can change over time, so the names below may look a little different.

Before you start

  • Have WordPress installed on your hosting account. Many hosts offer a one-click installer. Ask Hostvento support if you are not sure.
  • Your domain should point to your hosting.
  • Keep a backup of your local site.
    Screenshot: Keep a backup of your local site.

Warning: The import replaces everything on the live site. Back up the live site first if it has content you want to keep.

Screenshot: Warning: The import replaces everything on the live site. Back up the live site first if i

Steps with All-in-One WP Migration

On your local site

  1. Log in to your local WordPress dashboard.
  2. Go to Plugins, then Add New.
  3. Search for All-in-One WP Migration. Click Install Now, then Activate.
  4. Click All-in-One WP Migration in the menu, then Export.
  5. Choose Export To, then File.
  6. Click Download when it finishes. Keep the file safe.
    Screenshot: Click Download when it finishes. Keep the file safe.
    Screenshot: Click Download when it finishes. Keep the file safe.

On your live site

  1. Log in to the WordPress dashboard of your live site.
    Screenshot: Log in to the WordPress dashboard of your live site.
  2. Install and activate the same plugin.
  3. Click All-in-One WP Migration, then Import.
  4. Choose Import From, then File. Select the file you downloaded.
  5. Wait for the upload. When it asks, click Proceed.
  6. When it finishes, click Close.
  7. Log in again. Use the user name and password from your local site, because they were copied too.
    Screenshot: Log in again. Use the user name and password from your local site, because they were copie
    Screenshot: Log in again. Use the user name and password from your local site, because they were copie
  8. Go to Settings, then Permalinks, and click Save Changes twice.

If the file is too big

Servers limit the size of an upload. If you see a size error, you can ask Hostvento support to raise the limit. You can also use the Duplicator plugin. It makes a package and an installer file. You upload both by File Manager and open the installer in your browser.

Screenshot: Servers limit the size of an upload. If you see a size error, you can ask Hostvento suppor
Tip: After the move, open your site in a private window. Click through a few pages and test your forms and images.

Quick recap

  • Install a migration plugin on both sites.
    Screenshot: Install a migration plugin on both sites.
  • Export your local site to a file.
  • Import the file on the live site.
    Screenshot: Import the file on the live site.
    Screenshot: Import the file on the live site.
    Screenshot: Import the file on the live site.
  • Log in with your local details and save the permalinks.
  • The import replaces the live site, so back up first.