The Tool Desk
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First determine whether the URLs are changing
A server move and a URL move are different jobs. WordPress’s migration guide treats transferring the files and database as the core of a move; a changed domain or path adds URL-setting and stored-reference work.
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- Same domain and path: Transfer the files and database. If the new server uses different database details, update the relevant credentials in
wp-config.php. Do not run a domain replacement just because the hosting server changed. - New domain or path: Set the destination WordPress URLs and update old references stored in the database. A changed scheme, such as moving from
http://tohttps://, is also a URL change.
Back up the files and database
Before changing settings or running a replacement, make a recoverable copy of the complete WordPress directory and database. If you are working on staging, verify that the command or tool points to the staging database and the intended old and new URLs—not production.
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For a single-site installation with dashboard access, open Settings → General and review these fields:
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- WordPress Address (URL): Where the WordPress core files are located.
- Site Address (URL): The public address visitors use to reach the site.
They are often identical, but can differ when WordPress is installed in a subdirectory and the public site is served from another location. Enter the full address, including the scheme such as https://, and omit a trailing slash. If WP_HOME or WP_SITEURL is defined in wp-config.php, those constants can override or lock the dashboard fields; check them if the values cannot be edited there.
Replace old URLs without corrupting data
Changing the two settings does not necessarily update links saved in posts, media references, themes, widgets, or plugin settings. For command-line access, WP-CLI documents this form:
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wp search-replace '<old-url>' '<new-url>'
Replace the examples with the exact strings you intend to change, and confirm the database and table scope before execution. The WP-CLI search-replace documentation says the command handles PHP serialized data intelligently and does not change primary-key values. Its default scope is tables registered to the current WordPress site; on Multisite it targets only the current site unless you specify --network.
This matters because some WordPress data stores values in PHP-serialized form, where string lengths are recorded. A plain SQL or text replacement across arbitrary tables can leave those lengths inconsistent and damage stored values. Prefer a method that explicitly handles serialized data. WordPress’s migration guide also describes dashboard migration plugins as an option; evaluate any plugin for your own installation rather than assuming a particular one is maintained or required.
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- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Choose a method that fits your access and scope
- Dashboard migration tool: A practical route when you have working admin access. Confirm that the tool handles serialized data and that it is operating on the intended site.
- WP-CLI: Suited to administrators with shell access who can verify the old and new strings and table scope before running the command.
- Direct database editing: Best left to experienced administrators who understand the schema and serialization risks; avoid blanket raw SQL replacement across arbitrary tables.
Whichever method you use, keep the backup and test on a copy when practical. On a Multisite network, do not assume the single-site procedure covers every domain and path.
Treat WordPress Multisite as a separate migration
Multisite can store domain and folder references in network tables as well as individual sites’ options. WordPress’s migration guidance calls for reviewing network tables and per-site options; test the procedure on a copy and verify the resulting domain and path for each site.
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- 256-BIT AES ENCRYPTION(4) – helps keep private files secure with password protection.
WP-CLI’s --network option expands the search-and-replace scope beyond the current site. Use it only when a network-wide replacement is intended, and review the target strings and tables before proceeding. A single-site replacement may not update all network-level references.
Test the moved site and repair navigation
After the move and replacement, visit the new public address and the administration area. Check representative posts and pages, images, navigation, and login. If the site uses permalinks, revisit the permalink configuration and adjust rewrite rules as needed; inspect menus for old subdirectory references. If the public address changed, consider redirecting the old address to the new one so existing links can still reach the site.
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- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
DNS, TLS certificates, CDN settings, and hosting control-panel steps vary by provider and deployment, so there is no single WordPress-specific sequence for those parts. Confirm them with the relevant host or service documentation if the new address does not resolve or load securely.
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