If you’ve ever moved your WordPress site to a new hosting provider you know it can be a tricky process. There are numerous things that can go wrong and even after migrating, your site still might not work as expected. I have manually migrated WordPress sites many times and without a doubt the easiest and most reliable way to do it is with Duplicator Pro. The WordPress Duplicator plugin makes it easy for you to create a full backup (or clone) of your site so that you can easily restore it onto a different hosting account.
The Duplicator plugin makes it easier to back up your site because it creates a complete backup copy your WordPress site’s content, configuration, and database at once. By doing it this way you have much better control over the migration process than doing those steps manually. As long as you don’t rush through the process, you will be able to avoid losing any of your site’s functionality when moving from one hosting provider to another.
Duplicator Lite is a free version of the plugin that can you can try with limited functionality so I always recommend licensing Duplicator Pro which includes valuable features like scheduled backups, exclusion filters, cloud storage integration, one-click restores, archive encryption with password protection, and more.
Key Takeaways
- A single archive backup keeps files and the database in sync during the move.
- Careful setup and validation help avoid downtime and migration mistakes.
- Free version Duplicator Lite has 500 MB size limit.
Migrating Your WordPress Site Seamlessly With WordPress Duplicator
In simplest terms migrating your WordPress site with Duplicator involves creating a single archive .zip file and a dynamically created installer.php file. Duplicator bundles up your WordPress files, database, and settings into one simple package. You will then upload these 2 files to your new hosting provider using FTP or Cpanel File Manager. So prior to starting create the new site structure and MySQL database with your hosting provider. After uploading the Duplicator archive and installer.php you’ll visit the the installer url in your web browser (ex http://mynewsite.com/installer.php) which will launch the installation process.
Getting Prepared for Migration
When migrating your WordPress site, preparing ahead of time will ensure a successful move. Before you create the Duplicator backup archive, update all of your WordPress themes and plugins to ensure that there are no compatibility problems. In addition to this, remove any unused plugins from your site and remove any unused images or files to reduce the size of the archive file. In my experience some firewall plugins can create issues when migrating, therefore, if you get an error message after running the installer, try disabling the firewall plugin. I specifically had an issue with a site where the WordPress login had been renamed for extra security.
It goes without saying that it is always good practice to make a complete backup of your site even though Duplicator creates its own backup, having another copy of your site could save headaches later. Make sure you have access to your hosting account, your database credentials, and your DNS information before starting.
Some quick checks before you start:
- Site is stable—pause any updates
- Plenty of disk space for the Duplicator package (check inodes limits)
- Create new site structure and MySQL database on new host
- Make a note of the new MySQL database name, username, and password
Installing and Configuring Duplicator
Install Duplicator from the WordPress plugins directory like you would with any other plugin. Activate your license to avoid the 500 MB size limit and then you can take advantage of the advanced features as well.
Configuration is mostly about reviewing scan results. Duplicator checks file sizes, server limits, and database health before packaging things up. Warnings usually flag big media libraries or permission quirks, not deal-breakers.
Some configuration highlights:
| Setting | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| File filters | Skip logs or cache files |
| Database options | Control which tables are included |
| Cloud storage integration | Send backups offsite |
Creating and Downloading the Migration Package
As already indicated Duplicator will pack your all site files and database into an archive.zip file and it also creates installer.php, which is what you’ll run on the new server. If you’re moving multiple sites be sure to preserve the specific installer.php created for your backup. It is hardcoded with your archive name. Don’t reuse one from a different site backup or you’ll get an error message.
DAF Archives
In addition to Zip files Duplicator offers DAF archives which provide an alternative migration method that decreases server memory usage while avoiding timeouts, which will help ensure reliability when creating and extracting (i.e., unpacking) backups/exports from large WordPress sites.
Using DAF Archives can be particularly useful in situations involving large backups or shared hosting plans with limited CPU, memory, and/or execution time, all of which can cause traditional ZIP-based archives to either fail or appear as if they have stalled. If your Zip archive fails to be created Duplicator will let you know and suggest using DAF format instead. So far I’ve only had this issue with hostwinds.com.
New Backup Scan
When you build the backup package, Duplicator scans everything and will call out any issues. Click Create Backup to complete creating the archive.
When it’s done, just right click on Download to save both the archive and installer.php files locally. As a reminder do not overwrite the installer.php file for a different back up you will get an issue during installation.
The package covers:
- WordPress core files and uploads
- Database tables and config
- Serialized data—handled automatically
This approach skips messy manual tools and helps avoid database errors.
Using localhost file
To move a live site with no downtime you should setup your new site’s ip address in the local hosts file on your computer. This will allow you to test the site live in the new hosting environment using the site’s domain name without impacting any users. After the migration completes and you’ve validated the site is working then you can update DNS to point to the new environment. Without this step you risk impacting your users if an unexpected hiccup occurs.
This happened to me recently when I migrated a site with an outdated WordPress theme that wasn’t compatible with PHP 8 due to curly braces being phased out. The old platform was still on PHP 7 so I didn’t notice the issue but after migrating to the new server with PHP 8 the site was showing a fatal error. Using the localhosts file allowed me to discover the issue ahead of time and I was able to successfully get the theme updated on the old environment. Afterwards it was a simple matter to create a new archive in Duplicator and complete the migration.
Transferring Files and Setting Up the New Server
You do not need to have WordPress installed first with you new hosting provider to restore a Duplicator archive but you do need the MySQL database created. Upload the archive zip file and installer.php to your target directory via FTP, SFTP, Cpanel file manager. I always empty the target directory first for new sites so there are no unnecessary orphan files left behind.
Once the files uploaded to the new site, go to /installer.php in your web browser to start the guided setup. You’ll enter database credentials, let the installer check the connection, and then it’ll import your data. Paths and URLs get updated automatically if needed.
Don’t skip these steps:
- Create a new, empty website directory
- Create a new, empty MySQL database and user
- Ensure necessary permissions for both website and database
Once the installer loads you’ll be prompted to enter the MySQL database name, database user and password, and then new site title. Take this opportunity to check the Site Details that are displayed by the installer to ensure you know what you’re installing and where it’s being installed.
In my example above I’m taking installing copy of a WordPress site with a .com hostname and installing it on a test site with .net url. Duplicator will take care of updated all the references to the old hostname in the database. Click the Validate button to proceed.
Duplicator validate the settings and then prompt you one more time before completing the installation.
If the validation step completes successfully, you just need to accept the terms and conditions and then click the Next button. The installation will start running after this step.
When the installation completes will see a summary report with a button to login to WordPress admin dashboard. If you’re trying to move a live site use your local hosts file
Ensuring a Successful WordPress Migration and Minimizing Downtime
Duplicator Pro makes WordPress migrations a breeze and ensures minimal downtime. The more time you spend preparing for the migration ahead of time, the faster it will go and minimizes unexpected issues.
Database Creation and Configuration
You’ll need to create a brand-new MySQL database before you begin migrating. Create the database and user account and assign full access rights.
Make sure all of the values you input in the installer match the values for the Database Name, Username/Password, and Hostname that you created in the previous step.
Running the Duplicator Installer
Once you’ve uploaded both the installer and your backup archive file, you’re ready to execute the migration wizard. The wizard will automatically unpack everything, restore the database, and perform the configuration changes step-by-step.
Additionally, during this process, the installer will automatically perform a “search and replace” operation to update the URL, file path, and serialized data for the new domain or subdirectory. This ensures that your website’s internal links and images continue to work properly and prevents broken links and missing image errors.
Finally, the installer checks for proper file permissions and compares your server environment to WordPress’ recommended settings. If there are any discrepancies, the installer will alert you to potential issues prior to completing the final migration.
Testing, Troubleshooting, and Final Checks
Once deployment finishes, load the site on the new server before changing DNS. Log into wp-admin, resave permalinks, and check that media, themes, and plugins are all working.
Don’t forget to check:
- Page loads and internal links
- Forms, checkout, email functions
- Plugin conflicts or PHP errors
If something breaks, Duplicator’s recovery points let you roll back fast. The Pro version also brings scheduled backups, email alerts, and quicker restores—makes relaunches a lot less stressful.
Once you’re sure everything’s working, update DNS. Using a short TTL helps cut downtime while traffic switches to the new host.
In Summary
Duplicator Pro is worth the investment because of the ease in which you will be able to backup and migrate WordPress websites. There are no complicated manual processes to follow or risks risks of downtime. Even deploying a site using a different hostname is a breeze. This allows for a much easier and less stressful way of migrating to a new host, domain or creating a test copy with a new site design. Duplicator Pro ensure your website will remain available and fully operational through out the entire migration process. Thanks for reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
WordPress migrations work best with solid backups, careful database handling, and smart domain updates. Here are some real-world questions and answers about keeping data safe, manual transfers, downtime, and troubleshooting after a move.
What are the necessary precautions to ensure data integrity during a WordPress site migration using Duplicator?
Make a full backup—database, media, themes, plugins, config files, the whole thing. Run Duplicator’s pre-scan to spot any huge files, permission snags, or hosting limits before you start packaging.
Disable caching and security plugins during migration. That way, you won’t trap outdated files in your archive or run into plugin conflicts.
What steps are involved in manually transferring a WordPress database and files to a new server?
Export the database from the old server using phpMyAdmin or something similar (usually as SQL). Download all WordPress files via FTP or your hosting file manager, then upload them to the new server.
After creating a new database, import the SQL file and update the credentials in wp-config.php. It’s not hard, but it’s easy to mess up a step if you’re not careful.
How can you prevent broken links and ensure a smooth transition when migrating a WordPress site to a new domain?
Run a search-and-replace on the database to update old URLs—Duplicator’s installer will actually do this for you if the domain changes.
Set up 301 redirects from the old domain to the new one. That keeps your SEO intact and stops visitors from hitting dead ends.
What is the best methodology for moving a WordPress site from a development environment to production with minimal downtime?
Package the dev site with Duplicator and deploy it to the live server at a time when traffic is light. Only change DNS after you’ve confirmed the site works on the new host.
Keep the old site live until DNS propagation is done—usually 24–48 hours. That way, nobody gets locked out during the switch.
How should you address common issues that may arise after migrating a WordPress site with a cloning plugin?
Test important stuff right after migration—forms, checkouts, media loading. If permalinks are broken, re-save them in the dashboard.
Check error logs and file permissions, too. If layouts are busted or images are missing, it’s probably a path or permission hiccup.
Is it possible to migrate a WordPress site without using a plugin, and what are the potential risks of doing so?
You can migrate a WordPress site without a plugin by manually exporting the database and moving your files over. It’s a hands-on process that means dealing directly with SQL data, server paths, and those tricky configuration files.
But there are risks. It’s easy to mess up a database import, forget a file, or accidentally break serialized data.
Any of those mistakes could leave your site broken or—worse—cause data to quietly disappear without you noticing right away.
