If you want to migrate your WordPress website manually via cPanel, this article is for you. It provides a complete step-by-step migration guide with screenshots. Follow the instructions to transfer your site to a new host using the same or a different domain without losing Google rankings or traffic.

Things to Do Before Migration

  • Choose a reliable web hosting (Namecheap, GreenGeeks, Spaceship, Cloudways)
  • Disable or delete any cache plugins and check for cache rules in Cloudflare.
  • Ensure your site is live and clear your browser cache.
  • Verify that both servers use the same PHP version.
  • Make sure you have access to cPanel, File Manager, and the database.
  • Follow each step carefully for a successful migration.

1. Backup Your WordPress Website

Step 1: Log in to cPanel where your site is hosted and open File Manager.

Log in to cPanel where your site is hosted and open File Manager.

Step 2: If multiple sites are hosted, open the domain folder (main domain is in public_html). Select all files and click Compress.

Open the domain folder > Select all files and click Compress.

Step 3: Choose Zip Archive, rename the file with a .zip extension, then compress and close on success.

Choose Zip Archive in Compression Type
Rename the file with a .zip extension, then compress and close on success.

Step 4: Right click and download the zip file.

Right click and download the zip file

Note: For faster download, enter https://domain.com/filename.zip in the browser (ex: https://hextoid.com/migrate.zip).

Now that your files are backed up, it’s time to back up the database.

2. Backup Your Database

Step 5: In File Manager, open your domain folder and locate the wp-config.php file. Right-click and select Edit.

In File Manager, open domain folder and locate the wp-config.php file. Right-click and select Edit.

Step 6: Note the DB_NAME value from the file.

Note the DB_NAME value from the file.

Step 7: Go to phpMyAdmin in cPanel.

Go to phpMyAdmin in cPanel.

Step 8: Select the database matching the DB_NAME, click Export, choose Quick, format SQL and then Go to download the database backup.

Select the database matching the DB_NAME, click Export, choose Quick, format SQL and then Go to download the database backup.

With your database backed up, you can now point your domain to the new server. Close all old hosting windows.

3. Point Your Domain to the New Server

Step 9: Log in to the cPanel of your new hosting and copy the Shared IP Address.

Log in to the cPanel of your new hosting and copy the Shared IP Address.

Step 10: In your domain’s DNS settings, update or add the A Record and CNAME with the new IP address and appropriate domain values.

TypeNameContent
Ahextoid.com5.182.209.142
CNAMEwwwhextoid.com
In your domain’s DNS settings, update or add the A Record and CNAME with the new IP address and appropriate domain values.

4. Add Your Domain to the New Hosting

Step 11: In your new cPanel, navigate to Addon Domains.

In your new cPanel, navigate to Addon Domains.

Step 12: Enter your domain name and click Add Domain.

Enter your domain name and click Add Domain.
Domain Successfully Added

5. Upload Backup .zip File to the New Server

Step 13: Log in to your new cPanel and open File Manager.

Log in to cPanel where your site is hosted and open File Manager.

Step 14: Open the domain folder (public_html for the main domain).

Open the domain folder (public_html for the main domain).
Click Upload in the Domain Folder

Step 15: Upload the .zip file you downloaded earlier.

Upload the .zip file you downloaded earlier.

Step 16: Once uploaded, right-click the .zip file and select Extract.

Once uploaded, right-click the .zip file and select Extract.

Step 17: Make sure to extract the contents into the domain folder.

Make sure to extract the contents into the domain folder.

6. Create and Upload Database to the New Server

Step 18: In cPanel, go to MySQL Databases.

In cPanel, go to MySQL Databases.

Step 19: Create a new database and copy the database name (DB_NAME).

Create a new database
Copy the database name (DB_NAME).

Step 20: Under Add New User, create a new user (DB_USER), preferably the same as DB_NAME. Use the Password Generator and save the password.

Create a new user (DB_USER), preferably the same as DB_NAME. Use the Password Generator and save the password.

Step 21: Under Add User to Database, select the DB_USER and DB_NAME, then click Add.

Under Add User to Database, select the DB_USER and DB_NAME, then click Add.

Step 22: Check ALL PRIVILEGES and apply changes.

Check ALL PRIVILEGES and apply changes.

Step 23: Open phpMyAdmin from cPanel.

Go to phpMyAdmin in cPanel.

Step 24: Select the new database, click Import, upload the SQL file from Step 8, uncheck Do not use AUTO_INCREMENT for zero values, and click Go.

Select the new database, click Import, upload the SQL file, uncheck Do not use AUTO_INCREMENT for zero values, and click Go.
SQL File Successfully Uploaded

7. Configure the Database

Step 25: To avoid errors, copy the DB_NAME and DB_USER directly from the MySQL Databases section in cPanel.

In cPanel, go to MySQL Databases.
copy the DB_NAME
copy the DB_USER

Step 26: In File Manager, open your domain folder, right click and edit the wp-config.php file.

In File Manager, open your domain folder, right click and edit the wp-config.php file.

Step 26: Replace the old DB_NAME, DB_USER, and DB_PASSWORD with the new database details.

Replace the old DB_NAME, DB_USER, and DB_PASSWORD with the new database details.

Note: Migration is complete. You can now visit your website to confirm everything is working correctly.

What to Do If an Error Occurs?

  • Switch to a default theme
  • Disable all plugins, especially cache plugins.
  • Clear your browser cache and verify if the domain has fully propagated.
  • If you encounter 404 errors on posts or pages, go to Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes without editing anything.

Wrap Up

I hope you’ve successfully migrated your WordPress website to a new host without any traffic loss. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments. If this guide helped you, consider sharing it on social media.

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