Migrate WordPress Site to Live Server - A Step-by-Step Guide

Deploying Your Local WordPress Site to a Live Server

Previously, we've discussed utilizing local web servers for development and testing, including platforms like WordPress, as a cost-effective alternative to paid hosting. But what steps are involved in transitioning your site from a local environment to a live, publicly accessible server?

A recent inquiry within our technical support forum highlighted the need for a comprehensive guide on this process. This article details the procedures for deploying a locally developed WordPress site to a live server.

Understanding the Core Principles

While this guide focuses on WordPress, the underlying principles apply to any Content Management System (CMS) or web application. However, it’s important to remember that database structures will vary depending on the software used.

The process fundamentally involves transferring your website’s files and database to a web server that is accessible via the internet. This requires careful planning and execution to ensure a smooth transition.

Key Steps for Deployment

• Choose a Web Hosting Provider: Select a hosting provider that meets your site’s needs in terms of storage, bandwidth, and server resources.
• Set Up Your Hosting Account: Follow the provider’s instructions to create and configure your hosting account.
• Create a Database: Within your hosting control panel, create a new database for your WordPress site. Note the database name, username, and password – you’ll need these later.
• Upload Your WordPress Files: Utilize an FTP client or your hosting provider’s file manager to upload all the files and folders from your local WordPress installation to the appropriate directory on the live server (typically public_html or www).
• Configure wp-config.php: Edit the wp-config.php file on the live server. Update the database name, username, password, and host to match the credentials you created in the previous step.
• Import Your Database: Use phpMyAdmin (usually accessible through your hosting control panel) to export your local WordPress database. Then, import this database into the newly created database on the live server.
• Update Site URL: After importing the database, you may need to update the site URL within the database itself. This can be done using phpMyAdmin or a WordPress plugin designed for this purpose.

Important Note: Back up both your files and database before making any changes. This provides a safety net in case of unforeseen issues during the deployment process.

Final Checks and Considerations

Once the deployment is complete, thoroughly test your website to ensure all functionality is working as expected. Check links, forms, and any custom features.

Consider implementing a caching plugin to improve site performance and reduce server load. Also, ensure your site is secured with an SSL certificate (HTTPS) for enhanced security and SEO benefits.

Migrating Your Website: A Step-by-Step Guide

This guide presumes you have a functioning local server environment, with file access and database management capabilities via PHPMyAdmin. Furthermore, it's assumed you've already secured a hosting account and registered a domain name – these initial setup steps are outside the scope of this discussion.

We will focus on the prevalent scenario of transitioning to a shared hosting environment lacking command-line access. It’s important to note that this method has limitations when dealing with exceptionally large databases.

Database Size Considerations

If your database is substantial in size, this approach may prove impractical due to file upload restrictions. Specifically, the exported database file must remain under 2MB for a smooth transfer. Exceeding this limit necessitates alternative strategies.

For databases surpassing the 2MB threshold, consider performing partial exports or utilizing command-line tools. However, this 2MB restriction pertains solely to the database's textual content, not the website's files themselves.

Generally, websites with a moderate number of posts – such as a few thousand in WordPress – should not encounter issues with this file size limitation.

1. Preparation

Prior to commencing the migration process, ensure you have readily available the necessary credentials for your database. This includes the username, database name, and password for both your local and live server environments.

Furthermore, meticulously record the URLs and file paths that will require modification. For example, files might be referenced using an absolute path like c:/sites/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/test.jpg or http://localhost/wp-content/uploads~.

Document everything leading up to the 'wp-content' directory, as this portion will be subject to adjustments. It's also crucial to note any discrepancies between the URL used for local site access and the file paths of uploaded images, as both will need to be updated.

Database Export Procedure

Begin by accessing your local PHPMyAdmin interface. If you manage multiple databases, ensure you select the appropriate one for your WordPress site.

Initiating the Export

• Navigate to the export tab within PHPMyAdmin.
• Select Select All to include every table in the export process.
• Confirm that the option Add DROP TABLE / VIEW / PROCEDURE / FUNCTION / EVENT is checked; it is not enabled by default.
• Choose Save as file to download the exported database.
• Specify a filename template that will aid in easy identification (for example, "export").
• Click Go to initiate the file saving process.

The resulting file will be stored in a location of your choosing, containing a complete backup of your WordPress database.

Adjusting File Paths

This stage presents the most challenging aspect of the migration process, and iterative adjustments may be necessary to ensure complete accuracy. It is strongly recommended to create a backup copy of the SQL file before proceeding, safeguarding against potential errors.

Utilize a robust text editor to open the previously saved SQL file. This allows for a comprehensive search and replace operation across all paths and URLs simultaneously, bypassing the need for individual adjustments within the WordPress administration panel or complex SQL queries.

Begin with a preliminary search to confirm the presence of the original offline domain used during local development. Verify the accuracy of the search term before initiating the replacement process. Pay close attention to trailing slashes and execute a complete search and replace for every instance of the identified domain.

For instance, if localhost was previously used, substitute all occurrences with yourdomain.com. If the development environment was Windows-based, image paths may utilize the c:/~ format; these should also be updated to reflect the new domain address. A prudent approach is to verify the paths through a search operation before implementing the replacements.