Short answer: Package the old site with a migration plugin, upload it to the new hosting, create a database, run the installer, test, and only then change DNS.
Before you start
You need access to the old WordPress admin and to your akthost cPanel. Keep the old site live until the end.
Steps
- Package the old site. Install a migration or backup plugin (for example Duplicator) on the old site, create a package, and download the archive and installer files.
- Create a database on akthost. See Create a MySQL database and use phpMyAdmin. Write down the database name, user and password.
- Upload the files. In cPanel File Manager upload the archive and installer into
public_html(or the addon domain's folder). - Run the installer. Visit
yourdomain.com/installer.phpas the plugin tells you. Enter the database details and follow the steps. - Test before DNS. Use a preview address from the plugin, or edit your computer's hosts file so only you see the new site. Click through pages, forms and logins.
- Change DNS. Point the domain to akthost. See Change nameservers.
- Clean up. Delete the installer and archive files from the server. Run all updates.
Move a whole cPanel account
If the old host also uses cPanel, ask us in a ticket. Moving the whole account can be faster than moving one site.
Questions people ask
Can akthost move my site for me?
Open a ticket with your domain and the access details for the old host. We will tell you what we can do.
Will there be downtime?
Not if you test on the new hosting first and change DNS last.
Do I move email too?
Email is separate. Create the mailboxes on the new hosting and move old mail with IMAP before you change DNS.
Still stuck? Open a support ticket with your domain name and what you see. Please do not put passwords in the ticket.
