Add Your Domain to cPanel on the Destination Server (Do Not Install WordPress)

Before beginning the migration, log in to your destination hosting account and add your domain under the Domains or Addon Domains section. This creates the correct folder structure where your WordPress files will be stored. Do not install WordPress on this domain, since you will be moving your existing installation.

cPanel > Domains

Click “Create a New Domain“

Enter your domain or subdomain and click “Submit“

Enable AutoSSL So the New Domain Loads Securely

After adding the domain, go to SSL/TLS and enable AutoSSL. This ensures your site loads securely over HTTPS once the migration is complete. Some hosts issue SSL automatically, so this step may already be done.

Security > SSL/TLS

Find your domain in the list, check off both versions (non-www, and www versions) and click “Run Auto” SSL button.

Create FTP Credentials on the Destination Server

Create an FTP account in cPanel under FTP Accounts. This will be used to upload your WordPress files to the new hosting environment. Make sure the FTP user has access to the correct domain directory.

Create a New Database and User, Then Assign All Privileges

Go to MySQL Databases and create a new database. Then create a new MySQL user and assign all privileges. Save this information, as it will be needed when updating the wp-config.php file later.

Create an FTP Account on the Original Website

Create or use an existing FTP account on your original hosting provider. This will allow you to connect via FileZilla and download your current WordPress installation.

Export the Database From phpMyAdmin

Open phpMyAdmin on the original server, select your site’s database, and use the Export option. Choose Quick and SQL to download the full database to your computer.

Use FileZilla to Download All WordPress Files to Your Computer

Connect to your original server using FTP. Navigate to the root folder where WordPress is installed and download all files, including wp-admin, wp-content, wp-includes, and all PHP files such as index.php and wp-config.php.

Zip the Files, Upload Them to the New Server, and Extract Them

Once all files are downloaded, compress them into a single ZIP file. Log into your destination server’s File Manager, upload the ZIP to the root folder, and extract it. This restores the full WordPress installation quickly and efficiently.

Update wp-config.php With the New Database Name, User, and Password

Open wp-config.php on the destination server and update the database name, username, password, and host values. These should match the database you created earlier. This allows WordPress to connect to the new database.

Import the Database Into phpMyAdmin on the New Server

Go to phpMyAdmin on the destination server, select the new empty database, and choose Import. Upload the SQL file you exported earlier. This restores all your content, settings, and users.

If the Domain Is Changing, Update the Site URL in wp_options

This step is only required if you are using a new domain. In phpMyAdmin, go to the wp_options table and update the siteurl and home fields to reflect the new domain. If the domain is staying the same, skip this step.

Fix Permalinks After Migration

Log into your WordPress dashboard, go to Settings > Permalinks, and click Save Changes twice. This refreshes your site’s rewrite rules and resolves issues such as 404 errors or the “Index of /” directory listing appearing.