This guide explains how to move a WordPress website from one hosting provider to another using SFTP. A WordPress website has two main parts: * **Website files** — themes, plugins, uploads, images, and WordPress files * **Database** — pages, posts, users, settings, products, orders, and plugin data SFTP is used to move the website files securely. The database is usually moved using phpMyAdmin or another database management tool. --- ## **Before You Start** Make sure you have the following information: * SFTP login details for the old hosting account * SFTP login details for the new hosting account * Database access for the old website * Database access for the new hosting account * A file transfer app such as FileZilla, Cyberduck, or WinSCP * Access to the domain DNS settings SFTP details usually include: * Hostname or server IP address * Username * Password or SSH key * Port number, usually **22** --- ## **Step 1: Connect to the Old Hosting Account** Open your SFTP app and connect to the old hosting account. Example: ``` Host: old-server.example.com Username: your_username Password: your_password Port: 22 Protocol: SFTP ``` After connecting, find the website folder. Common folder names include: ``` public_html www htdocs domains/example.com/public_html ``` Inside the WordPress folder, you should see files and folders like: ``` wp-admin wp-content wp-includes wp-config.php index.php .htaccess ``` If you see these files, you are in the correct WordPress folder. --- ## **Step 2: Download the WordPress Files** Download all WordPress files from the old server to your computer. The most important folder is: ``` wp-content ``` This folder contains: * Themes * Plugins * Images * Uploads * Custom website files For a full migration, download the complete WordPress folder, including: ``` wp-admin wp-content wp-includes wp-config.php index.php .htaccess ``` Large websites may take longer to download. --- ## **Step 3: Export the WordPress Database** The database is required for a complete WordPress migration. Website files alone are not enough. The database contains: * Pages * Blog posts * Users * WordPress settings * Plugin settings * WooCommerce products and orders, if applicable Log in to phpMyAdmin or the database manager on the old hosting account. Then: 1. Select the WordPress database 2. Click **Export** 3. Choose **Quick** 4. Choose **SQL** 5. Download the `.sql` file to your computer If you are not sure which database your WordPress site uses, open the `wp-config.php` file and look for: ``` define('DB_NAME', 'database_name'); ``` The value beside `DB_NAME` is the database name used by the website. --- ## **Step 4: Create a New Database** Log in to the new hosting account and create a new database. Save these details: ``` Database name Database username Database password Database host ``` You will need them when updating the `wp-config.php` file. In many cases, the database host is: ``` localhost ``` Some hosting providers may use a different database host. --- ## **Step 5: Upload the WordPress Files to the New Server** Connect to the new hosting account using SFTP. Open the website root folder. Common root folders include: ``` public_html www htdocs ``` Upload all WordPress files from your computer to the new server. Make sure the files are directly inside the website root folder. Correct example: ``` public_html/wp-admin public_html/wp-content public_html/wp-config.php ``` Usually incorrect example: ``` public_html/wordpress/wp-admin public_html/wordpress/wp-content ``` Do not upload the website into an extra folder unless your hosting setup requires it. --- ## **Step 6: Import the Database** Open phpMyAdmin or the database manager on the new hosting account. Then: 1. Select the new empty database 2. Click **Import** 3. Upload the `.sql` file 4. Click **Go** or **Import** After the import is complete, the database has been moved to the new hosting account. --- ## **Step 7: Update the wp-config.php File** Open the `wp-config.php` file on the new server. Update the database details to match the new database: ``` define('DB_NAME', 'new_database_name'); define('DB_USER', 'new_database_user'); define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_database_password'); define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'); ``` Use the database name, username, password, and host from the new hosting account. If the website shows **Error Establishing a Database Connection**, check the database details again. --- ## **Step 8: Update the Website URL If Needed** If the domain name is staying the same, you may not need to change anything. If the website is moving to a new domain, update the WordPress website URL in the database. In phpMyAdmin, open the WordPress database and find the options table. It is usually called: ``` wp_options ``` Look for these two rows: ``` siteurl home ``` Update both values to the new website URL. Example: ``` https://newdomain.com ``` If your WordPress table prefix is different, the table may have a different name, such as: ``` abc_options ``` --- ## **Step 9: Test the Website** Before changing DNS, test the website if your hosting provider gives you a temporary URL or preview link. Check: * Homepage * Pages * Blog posts * Images * Menus * Contact forms * WordPress admin area * Checkout page, if using WooCommerce The WordPress admin URL is usually: ``` https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin ``` --- ## **Step 10: Point the Domain to the New Hosting Account** After confirming the website works, update the domain DNS. Depending on your hosting provider, you may need to update: * Nameservers * A record * CNAME record If the new hosting provider gives you nameservers, update the domain nameservers. Example: ``` ns1.examplehost.com ns2.examplehost.com ``` If the new hosting provider gives you an IP address, update the domain A record. Example: ``` Name: @ Value: 123.123.123.123 ``` DNS changes can take some time to fully update. --- ## **Step 11: Install SSL** After DNS points to the new server, install SSL for the domain. Most hosting providers offer free SSL using Let’s Encrypt. After SSL is active, your website should load using: ``` https://yourdomain.com ``` Also check for mixed content warnings. Mixed content usually happens when some images, scripts, or styles still load using `http://` instead of `https://`. --- ## **Step 12: Refresh Permalinks** After migration, log in to WordPress admin. Go to: ``` Settings > Permalinks ``` Click **Save Changes** without changing anything. This refreshes WordPress rewrite rules and can fix 404 errors on pages and posts. --- ## **Step 13: Check File Permissions** Incorrect file permissions can cause errors after migration. Common WordPress permissions are: ``` Folders: 755 Files: 644 wp-config.php: 600 or 640 ``` Avoid setting files or folders to **777** because it is insecure. --- ## **Final Checklist** After the migration is complete, check the website carefully. Make sure: * The website loads correctly * WordPress admin works * Images display properly * Contact forms send emails * Plugins are active * The theme looks correct * SSL is working * Permalinks are working * There are no broken links * CSS and JavaScript files are loading * WooCommerce checkout works, if applicable After everything is working, create a fresh backup of the migrated website. --- # **Common Migration Problems** ## **Error Establishing a Database Connection** This usually means the database details in `wp-config.php` are incorrect. Check: * Database name * Database username * Database password * Database host --- ## **Pages Show 404 Errors** Go to: ``` Settings > Permalinks ``` Click **Save Changes**. --- ## **Images Are Missing** The uploads folder may not have fully transferred. Check this folder: ``` wp-content/uploads ``` If files are missing, upload them again using SFTP. --- ## **Website Redirects to the Old Domain** Update the `siteurl` and `home` values in the database. You may also need to search and replace the old domain in the database. --- ## **White Screen or Critical Error** This may happen because of a plugin, theme, or PHP version issue. To test plugins, rename the plugins folder using SFTP: ``` wp-content/plugins ``` Rename it to: ``` plugins-disabled ``` Then reload the website. If the website works, one of the plugins is likely causing the issue. --- # **Is SFTP Migration Safe?** Yes. SFTP is safe because the file transfer is encrypted. However, SFTP only moves the website files. For a full WordPress migration, you must also move the database. Always take a full backup before starting the migration. --- # **Conclusion** Migrating WordPress using SFTP is a safe and reliable way to move a website to a new hosting provider. The main steps are: 1. Download the WordPress files from the old server 2. Export the database 3. Upload the files to the new server 4. Import the database 5. Update `wp-config.php` 6. Test the website 7. Point the domain to the new hosting account 8. Install SSL 9. Check the website carefully When done correctly, this method can move a WordPress website with minimal downtime and without relying on migration plugins. This version is good for a knowledge base because it is clean, step-by-step, and written for non-technical customers.