You’ve poured time into your website. Maybe you’re a wedding florist in Macon with a gallery that brides adore. Maybe you run a small HVAC business that finally ranks on Google for “AC repair Vineville.” Now it’s time to move everything to a faster, more reliable host. Sounds simple, right?
Actually, it’s like moving a five-tier wedding cake across town in July.
Yes, it’s doable. But if you don’t pack it right, carry it carefully, and reassemble with intention, things fall apart fast. One broken plugin, one bad redirect, one forgotten database connection and you’ve lost more than design. You’ve lost visibility, leads, and trust.
Let’s walk through how to migrate your WordPress site to a new server without ruining everything Google and your customers already love.
Step 1: Backup Everything Like It’s a Wedding Photo Album
This isn’t just “copy and paste.” Your WordPress site has two halves: files and database.
- Use FileZilla or WinSCP to download all site files from your old server
- Use phpMyAdmin to export your database as a .sql file
- Or use a plugin like Duplicator or BackWPup to do both at once
Think of this step like boxing up your wedding dresses and photographs. It’s not optional, and you only get one shot to do it right.
Step 2: Tell the New Server Who You Are
You’ve backed up everything. Now you need to add your domain to the new hosting plan.
- If it’s your first site on the new host, use it as your primary domain
- If you’ve already got a site there, set this one up as an addon domain
This is your new digital home. And like any move, your address needs to be officially added before you start unloading boxes.
Step 3: Point the DNS in the Right Direction
Think of DNS as your website’s GPS.
- Log into your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
- Change the nameservers to those provided by your new host
- Usually it’s two records like
ns1.newhost.comandns2.newhost.com
Propagation may take a few hours. During that time, some visitors will see the old site, others the new. That’s okay as long as both versions work.
Step 4: Create a New Database (Because the Old One Doesn’t Travel Alone)
You can’t just upload a database and expect it to run. You have to create a container for it on the new server.
- Go to cPanel or your host’s dashboard
- Create a new MySQL database
- Add a user with a strong password
- Assign that user to the database with full privileges
Write down:
- Database name
- Username
- Password
Yes, actually write it. You’ll need it in the next step.
Step 5: Upload Files, Then Import Your Database
Now you’re moving in.
- Open FileZilla and upload your site files into the correct folder on the new host
- Go to phpMyAdmin, choose your new database, click “Import,” and upload the SQL file
Once done, your WordPress files and content are physically in place. But they still don’t talk to each other.
Step 6: Reconnect WordPress to Its Brain
Open the wp-config.php file inside your root folder. This is where WordPress learns where to find its database.
Update these three lines:
define('DB_NAME', 'new_db_name');
define('DB_USER', 'new_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_password');
Once saved and reuploaded, your site should be back. Refresh. Breathe. Then check every page carefully.
Extra Steps Most People Forget in Macon
- Redirects: Old URLs must point to the new ones or Google will drop your pages. Use 301 redirects in your
.htaccessor via plugin. - Image optimization: Uploads folder is heavy. Use WebP versions and run everything through an optimizer before re-uploading.
- Permalinks: After migration, go to WordPress → Settings → Permalinks and re-save. This refreshes internal route mapping.
- SSL: Install an SSL certificate immediately. A “Not Secure” warning drives customers away fast.
- Test on mobile: Macon users are mobile-heavy. Tap every link and fill every form yourself. Don’t rely on desktop previews.
Final Thought: Migration Isn’t Just Technical. It’s Emotional.
People in Macon don’t just visit websites. They return to them. They bookmark the DJ you recommended, the reviews you posted, the wedding photos that felt just like theirs. When you migrate your site, you’re carrying trust, not just code.
If that sounds like a lot, it probably is. And that’s okay. The right partner can handle the technical lift while you stay focused on running your business.
Want help making sure your move is safe, clean, and invisible to customers?
We handle WordPress migrations for Macon businesses like yours every week.
Let’s move it right.
1. What happens if I forget to update internal links after migrating my site?
Internal links that still point to your old URL structure can confuse both users and search engines. Google may crawl outdated paths, and users may land on 404 errors. Use a crawler like Screaming Frog after launch to catch and fix any broken or misaligned internal links.
2. Will changing my hosting server location affect local SEO in Macon?
It can. Hosting location impacts latency, which is a performance signal. If your new server is far from Georgia, local page speed could drop. For best results, use a host with a server near the Southeast or add a CDN to reduce regional delays.
3. Can I redesign and migrate my site at the same time without hurting SEO?
Yes, but only if both processes are carefully coordinated. Content structure, URL paths, meta data, and page hierarchy must be preserved or improved. Always complete a full SEO audit before and after migration to track changes.
4. How do I test my staging site without letting Google index it?
Add a noindex meta tag to all staging pages and block the staging domain in your robots.txt file. Also, avoid linking to the staging URL from any public site or Google will discover and crawl it.
5. What’s the safest way to update URLs during a redesign without hurting authority?
Use 301 redirects from every old URL to its exact match or most relevant new page. Never redirect everything to the homepage. Also, keep slug structures consistent where possible to retain ranking equity.
