How to move a WordPress blog to a new domain in 5 steps

Please see my newer post for this here please

Please note that all instructions here are assuming that you have cpanel access to your server and that its a fresh installation (read all files on your server will be overwritten)

1. Install Wordpress on the new domain
   cpanel > fantastico > Wordpress blog (I’m assumming install into your root folder)
2. Copy all existing files to your new domain, including plugins, images etc.
   old site: cpanel > backups > Download a home directory Backup > save to your PC (name will be backup-yr-site.tar.gz)
   new domain: open the archive and delete all files other then public_html and save as oldsite.zip
   goto cpanel > file manager (be sure to be in your root folder, this is where you see the folder public_html listed and upload oldsite.zip (this will take a while)
   once upload is completed you will see oldsite.zip in the listing click on the name itself > extract file contents (right hand side of screen)
3. Backup old database and import it to the new database
   create a backup of your database cpanel > backups > (under Download a MySQL Database Backup) wrdp1 > (save to your PC) wrdp1.sql.gz
4. Update the database with you new domain name.
   Goto new database cpanel > phpmyadmin > yr-username_wpdp1 > SQL tab
   issue these actions one at a time (copy and paste into the SQL window and change doamin names then click GO):
   UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = replace(option_value, ‘http://www.old-domain.com’, ‘http://www.new-domain.com’) WHERE option_name = ‘home’ OR option_name = ’siteurl’;
   UPDATE wp_posts SET guid = replace(guid, ‘http://www.old-domain.com’,'http://www.new-domain.com’);
   UPDATE wp_posts SET post_content = replace(post_content, ‘http://www.old-domain.com’, ‘http://www.new-domain.com’);
   Plesase note that the URL in the above 3 commands needs to be with or without www depending on how you use you domain name, if uncertain then run the with and without the www.
5. Update settings and forwarders
   You will need to logon with the user name / password from you old site to your new admin panel, goto wp-admin > settings > update to new domain etc., then update your own profile. And now forward your old domain name to your new domain to ensure people still find your site cpanel > Redirects (after the >> enter http://yr-new-domain.com) and choose as a permanent forward since this will ensure that browsers update their bookmarks also.

Please note that you are doing all this at your own risk and I can take no responsibility for your outcome. Having said this since you are leaving your old site live until your new site is up and running there is of course no real risk involved. If something goes wrong you can always start over.
These instructions are based on a more basic blog post called:
http://blog.template-tuners.com/how-to-move-wordpress-from-a-domain-to-another/

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Tagged as: build your own website, domain name, WordPress