8 Steps to Migrate a Site from Backup Files
1. cPanel > phpMyadmin: select the WP related database on the left > click Export on the top: save it as a file (.sql)
2. FTP > connect and download all the files and folders of your WP
3. On the new domain (new host?) create a new empty database (in cPanel, you have the wizard) – REMEMBER the DB name, DB user, DB password
4. In a plain text editor edit the wp-config.php file with the new database info
5. Upload all the WP files and folders
6. on the new domain’s phpMyadmin > go to the empty DB: Import > select the previously saved backup (.sql) file
IMPORTANT:
7a. In the wp_options table find the “siteurl” row (usually #1) and edit: enter the new domain for value – http is a must; slash after it NEVER!
7b. in the same table find the “home” raw (around #30 or 40-something) – do as above
8. You8 should be able to see your WP powered site at the new domain and to log in…
Optional:
Find the Search and Replace plugin > install it.
Use it to find and replace in the database all the references to the old domain with the new one – this will help to avoid any issues with uploaded media (images, videos, pdf etc.).
Remember: every “attachment” i.e. uploaded file, like images for your posts are referenced in the database with their full path
NOTE:
1. I deleted the original htaccess file and confirm that both servers were running the same version of php
2. I had to activate a new theme and then go back to DMS and activate it again for the site to work.
3. When moving a DMS Site and preforming the Search and Replace Plugin it seems to always miss links (both text and image links) in the header and footer of the site. Be sure to check the main logo image, links, etc. to confirm that they have been changed.
Helpful links:
Original article with steps: http://www.warriorforum.com/website-design/715765-best-plugin-move-wordpress.html
3 plugins to move a wp site article: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-plugins-for-easily-migrating-a-wordpress-site-tried-tested/
WordPress codex: http://codex.wordpress.org/Moving_WordPress
WordPress Database Explinations” https://codex.wordpress.org/Database_Description