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    28
    Feb

    Migrating a WordPress Installation

    Many times a client has an existing website and would like to cut ties with their “webmaster” in order to take control of their website content. We generally will create or modify a template and install it to one of our test domains so the client can work on the site as if it were live. After the content has been added we need do a few things so the public can see the clients new site. The following is how we do it.

    1. Create a sub-domain and install WordPress. We recycle several test domains.
    2. Apply theme, customizations, activate plug-ins, etc.
    3. Document files that we changed and/or added to meet the client’s requirements.
    4. Train the client on WordPress and allow them to start adding content. We hold face-to-face training sessions on how to use their site and provide custom documentation as well as email support.

    After the content has been added and the client is ready to swap out their old website with the new one, we perform the following steps:

    1. Create a new domain and install WordPress.
    2. Copy the theme, plug-ins, and any other files that we changed from wp-content to the new domain installation directory.
    3. Copy any other files that were changed (these are usually very few).
    4. Log in to the new WordPress installation and activate the theme.
      • At this point, the website should have the basic look and feel.
    5. Back up the WordPress database that was used in the sub-domain.
      • You will end up with a .sql file containing scripts to recreate this database.
    6. Using phpMyAdmin, connect to the new WordPress database, open a query window, and run the scripts from your backup file. This will import all of the content the client has entered as well as any user accounts.
    7. Browse the wp-options table in the database and update the value for “site url”.
    8. Log in to the new WordPress  site using the username/password that was used in the sub-domain.
    9. In Settings, go to General and update the blog url address.
    10. If you have any hard-coded links in the content, those will have to be manually updated. But, other perma-links should be updated automatically.
    11. Update DNS. Of course this may take a few hours to a couple of days to change.

    This might not be the most-efficient  way to accomplish moving a WordPress site but, it works for us. If you have a better way or have any questions feel free to tell us.

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