6 Simple Steps To Changing Blog Hosts

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In response to my invitation for you to request topics for future entries, Pam asked for information about moving her WordPress blog to a new host. Assuming that you’re keeping the same domain name and moving from one self-hosted site to another, it’s a surprisingly simple task that can be accomplished in 6 steps.

1. Set up WordPress at your new hosting location. Set up your email accounts on your new host, too.
2. Move your image files and other folders to your new host. If you’ve been saving image files outside of your WP folder (in /public_html/photos/ for instance), create a new folder with the same name on your new host. Then use your FTP program to download those files from your old host and upload them to the new one. (Firefox users should check out the FireFTP for this.) Perform similar transfers for all other non-WP folders on your system.
3. Copy your theme files to the new site. Using your FTP program, copy all of your files under /wp-content/themes/name of your theme/ from the old site and save them on your hard drive. Then upload them to the very same folder on your new WP installation. (Verify they transferred correctly by using Dashboard -> View Site.)
4. Export/Import your WordPress entries. Go to your current blog’s WP Dashboard -> Manage -> Export and download your entries to your hard drive. Now go to your new WP installation’s Dashboard -> Manage -> Import and import your entries. Once again, use Dashboard -> View Site to ensure everything transferred properly.
5. Change your DNS servers. Now that your blog is transferred, contact the company from which you purchased your domain and have them change the DNS nameservers so they point to your location with your new hosting company. (Your new host should provide you with the appropriate namserver information.) NOTE: it can take anywhere from 1-48 hours for this change to go into effect worldwide.
6. Put up a confirmation entry on the new blog. The easiest way to find out whether your propagation is underway is to write a “Hi there!” entry from your blog’s new location. (Don’t duplicate it at your old installation!) You’ll know the change is taking place when you type in your URL and see that entry at the top of your blog.

It’s a good idea to wait several days after making the move before canceling your old hosting account just in case you find you’ve forgotten to transfer any files, or in case your new host is less than stellar. Once you’re confident that everything is working well, go ahead and cancel the old account and blog on.

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Tagged in: blog | hosting company | wp

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6 Comments

Comment by pam

2008-02-21 08:54:01

Much appreciated, Kate!
pam’s last blog post..Click!

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Comment by Kate

2008-02-21 08:57:47

You’re quite welcome. Let me know if you encounter any problems and I’ll be happy to help.

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Comment by Lori

2008-02-21 23:59:28

Very good post for the noobs!

Lori’s last blog post..Blogging Away Debt and Living Longer

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Comment by Kate

2008-02-22 10:06:07

Thanks, Lori. I don’t know that it’s just for noobs. I’d been blogging 3 years before I needed to know how to do this very thing.

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Comment by Tina

2008-02-22 04:02:17

This was great timing! I’ve been having trouble with my current hosting and I was thinking of moving but I was worried it was too difficult for me Now I can see I had nothing to worry about! Thanks Kate!

Tina’s last blog post..PR drop

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Comment by Kate

2008-02-22 10:05:22

I’m glad it’s helpful, Tina. Just remember the procedure’s different if you’re changing domain names during the transfer. Good luck!

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