Building a WordPress website on your local machine is the smart way to work. You can develop, test, and perfect your website in a private environment without the pressure of being on a live server. But once everything looks and functions exactly the way you want, it’s time to take your creation public.
WordPress site migration from localhost to a live server may sound complex, but it’s easier than you think when broken down into simple steps. By following this guide, you’ll learn how to move your site without losing any data, breaking URLs, or encountering dreaded downtime. Whether you’re a WordPress developer deploying a client’s site or an entrepreneur launching your own project, this process is critical for ensuring your website is not only functional but fully optimized for public viewing.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a smooth, live-running WordPress site and the confidence to handle migrations like a pro. Let’s dive into the process, step by step.
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ToggleCrucial Steps to Migrate WordPress from Localhost to Live Server
Migrating your WordPress site from a local environment to a live server is an essential milestone in web development. Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any downtime or data loss.
Step 1: Preparing for the Migration
Before starting the migration, a few things need to be in place:
- Choose a Web Hosting Provider: Your live site needs a reliable host. Popular WordPress hosting providers like DreamHost, Kinsta, and Pressable are great choices.
- Have a Domain Name Ready: You’ll need a domain name, so purchase one if you haven’t already.
- Backup Your Local WordPress Site: It’s always good practice to backup your site, just in case something goes wrong during migration.
Key Tools You’ll Need:
- FTP Client: To upload your files to the live server, you’ll need an FTP client like FileZilla or Cyberduck.
- phpMyAdmin: This tool helps you manage your database and is usually available in your hosting control panel.
- Database Migration Plugin (Optional): Plugins like Duplicator can automate parts of the process if you prefer a less hands-on approach.
Step 2: Export the Local WordPress Database
Your WordPress site consists of files and a WordPress database, both of which need to be moved. The first thing you’ll do is export your local database.
- Open phpMyAdmin in your local development environment (e.g., MAMP, XAMPP, or Local by Flywheel).
- Select your WordPress database.
- Click on the Export tab, and select Quick Export.
- Save the exported .sql file to your computer.
Pro Tip: Make sure to note down your database name, user, and password for future reference.
Explore: How to Repair and Fix WordPress Database
Step 3: Upload WordPress Files to Live Server via FTP
Next, you’ll upload your WordPress files to the live server using an FTP client.
- Open your FTP client and connect to your web hosting server using your FTP credentials (usually provided by your host).
- Navigate to the root directory (often called public_html or www).
- Upload all the files from your local WordPress directory (wp-content, wp-includes, etc.) to the live server.
⭐ Important Note: Ensure your files are in the correct directory. Uploading them to a wrong folder may cause your site not to load properly.
Find: Best WordPress Website Migration Agencies
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Step 4: Create a New Database on the Live Server
Just like you have a database locally, your live WordPress site will also need one.
- Log into your hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc.).
- Navigate to MySQL Databases and create a new database.
- Assign a database user with full privileges to this new database.
Step 5: Import Local Database to Live Server
Now, it’s time to import your local database to the live server.
- In your hosting control panel, open phpMyAdmin.
- Select the new database you created in Step 4.
- Click the Import tab.
- Upload the .sql file you exported from your local environment and hit Go.
Find: Best WordPress Importer Plugins to Import Local Database
Step 6: Update the wp-config.php File
The wp-config.php file contains the information WordPress needs to connect to the database. You’ll need to update it with your live server’s database details.
- Open the wp-config.php file from your WordPress files.
Update the following lines with your live server’s database name, username, and password:
define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘your_live_database_name’);
define(‘DB_USER’, ‘your_live_database_user’);
define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘your_live_database_password’);
define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’);
- Save the changes.
Quick Tip: Double-check your database credentials to avoid connection issues later.
Step 7: Update the Site URL
Your site’s URLs are still pointing to localhost, so you need to update them.
- In phpMyAdmin, go to your newly imported database and find the wp_options table.
- Locate the siteurl and home fields.
- Update both fields with your live site’s URL (e.g., https://www.yourwebsite.com).
Optional Method: You can also update the site URLs by adding these lines temporarily to your wp-config.php file:
define(‘WP_HOME’,’https://www.yourwebsite.com’);
define(‘WP_SITEURL’,’https://www.yourwebsite.com’);
Learn: How to Move a WordPress Site to a New Domain (Easy Steps)
Step 8: Configure Permalinks and Check for Errors
Now that your site is live, log into the WordPress admin panel on your live server (https://yourwebsite.com/wp-admin) and check for any errors.
- Go to Settings > Permalinks, and click Save Changes. This refreshes your permalink structure.
- Visit your site to ensure everything is working as expected, and test out various pages.
Step 9: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are some common WordPress errors you may encounter during migration and how to fix them:
- Error Establishing Database Connection: Double-check your wp-config.php file and database credentials.
- Broken Links or Images: Sometimes URLs of images or internal links might still point to localhost. Use a WordPress plugin like Better Search Replace to update these URLs in your database.
- 500 Internal Server Error: This could be caused by incorrect file permissions or issues with your .htaccess file. Contact your hosting provider if this persists.
Step 10: Secure Your Live WordPress Site
Once your site is live, don’t forget to implement basic security measures:
- Install a security plugin or contact a Professional security service provider like Seahawk.
- Keep your WordPress version, themes, and plugins updated.
- Set up regular backups using a backup plugin like Blogvault.
Conclusion: Migrate Your WordPress from Localhost to Live Successfully
Migrating your WordPress website from localhost to a live server is a pivotal step in the web development journey. It’s the moment your website transitions from a private project to a publicly accessible platform, allowing you to share your content, services, or products with the world. While the process may seem intimidating at first, breaking it down into manageable tasks, as outlined in this guide, ensures a smooth and efficient migration.
From exporting your local database to adjusting your wp-config.php file and troubleshooting potential errors, each step plays an essential role in ensuring your site runs seamlessly in its new live environment.
But remember, the migration process doesn’t end once your site is live. Ongoing security, regular updates, and proper maintenance are crucial to keeping your website healthy and secure. Don’t forget to back up your site regularly, monitor performance, and implement security measures to protect your investment.
Now that your website is live, the real fun begins – building an audience, sharing content, and growing your online presence.