Here’s How Developers Are Moving WordPress From Localhost to Server Seamlessly

You’ve perfected your WordPress site on localhost. Whether you’ve used it to redesign a site or develop a new one, it’s time to go live.

We understand that the thought of migrating a WordPress site can be daunting for most users. It’s natural to worry about design issues or data loss.

That’s why we’ve created this guide. We’ll show you how to seamlessly move your WordPress site from localhost to the server. By the end, your website will be live, looking exactly as it did locally, with zero data loss and every link intact.

TL;DR: Move WordPress from localhost to server seamlessly using the Duplicator plugin or a manual method. Both ensure a no-data-loss transition with fully functional links when you follow the steps.

Pre-move checklist

Nothing derails a WordPress migration faster than realizing halfway through that you’re missing a crucial piece of information or forgot to set something up. Ensure you have the following in place to eliminate those panic moments:

Make sure your server is ready

Your hosting environment needs to be fully prepared before you upload a single file.

The domain points to your hosting server. If you recently bought hosting or changed nameservers, allow up to 48 hours for changes to take effect.

The hosting account is active. Log in to your hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc.) using the credentials your provider sent you.

Database and user created on the server. Create your database and user through your hosting control panel. Write down the database name, username, and password.

FTP/SFTP credentials ready. Get these from your hosting provider or control panel. You need the username, password, and host address.

Make sure your local site is ready

Your localhost site needs to be in perfect working order before migration.

The site is fully functional locally. Test every page, form, and plugin. Fix any issues now—they’re harder to troubleshoot on the live server.

PHP version compatibility checked. Ensure your hosting server runs the same PHP version as your local environment. Mismatched versions can break plugins and themes after migration.

Backup confirmed. Export your database through your local environment’s database manager and save the SQL file. Copy your entire local WordPress directory (all files and folders) to a safe location on your computer. This backup is your lifeline if something goes wrong.

Moving WordPress from localhost to server

To move WordPress from localhost to server, you can choose the plugin route for a faster, automated process. Alternatively, the manual approach offers complete control over each step. Both methods work perfectly when done right, so pick the one you’re most comfortable with.

We’re using an example site with Local by Flywheel, but the steps are the same no matter what your local setup is.

A) Use a plugin to move WordPress from localhost to server

We are using the Duplicator plugin for this method. It packages your entire site into files, making it easy to transfer everything to your live server. Here’s how to go about it:

• Install Duplicator: In your local WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New, search for Duplicator, then install and activate it.

• Create package: Navigate to Duplicator > Backups, click Create New, and name your package.

• Build package: Click Next, then Build. Wait for Duplicator to create the migration files.

• Download files: Download the archive.zip (site files) and installer.php (installation script).

• Prepare directory: Access your live site’s files via FTP. In the root directory (public_html or www), delete all existing files. This step takes time, but it’s crucial for a clean migration.

• Upload files and run installer: Upload archive.zip and installer.php to the root directory. Next, visit https://yourdomain.com/installer.php in a browser to launch the setup.

• Set up database: Enter your live site’s database credentials and click Validate.

• Complete installation: Duplicator will extract files and update URLs. Click Admin Login to access your live site.

B) Manually moving WordPress from localhost to server

The manual method requires more steps but gives you complete control over the migration process. Here’s how to get started:

• Export local database: In Local by Flywheel, navigate to the Database tab, click Open AdminerEvo. Choose the output and the format, then hit Export. Save an .sql file to your computer.

• Export site files: First, create a new folder on your computer and give it an identifiable name like local-files. Now, in Local, find the Go to site folder button and click on it. Navigate to app > public and copy all files to another folder (local-files) on your computer.

• Upload files to server: Connect via FTP to your server’s root folder (public_html or www) and upload all your WordPress files. This might take a while depending on your site’s size and internet speed.

• Import database: Navigate to your hosting provider’s database manager (like phpMyAdmin). Select the database you created during your pre-move checklist and Import the .sql file you exported from your local server.

• Update wp-config.php: Download this file from your server. Update the DB_NAME, DB_USER, and DB_PASSWORD lines with your live database credentials given to you by your new host. Upload it back via FTP.

• Update URLs in database: In your database, find the wp_options table. Change siteurl and home from your local URL to your live URL.

• Fix URL references: Install Better Search Replace plugin on your live site. Navigate to Tools > Better Search Replace. Search for your local URL, replace it with your live URL, and update all tables.

And you’re set! Your site should now be live and functioning exactly as it did locally.

Post-migration checklist

Your site is live, but you’re not done yet. A few quick checks ensure everything works before visitors arrive.

Clear all caches:

• Clear your browser cache with Ctrl+F5 (Cmd+Shift+R on Mac).
• Clear server cache via your hosting control panel.
• Clear caching plugin cache in your WordPress dashboard.

Update permalinks:

Go to Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes without altering anything.

Test everything:

• Check the homepage and key pages for proper loading and appearance.
• Verify all images and media load correctly.
• Test contact forms and any important forms.
• Click through all navigation links and menus.
• Ensure login/logout works, including access to the admin dashboard.
• Verify critical plugin features like checkout or booking systems.

Implement SSL/HTTPS:

Install SSL certificates via your hosting provider’s one-click option. Confirm the SSL padlock icon appears in your browser’s address bar.

Troubleshooting common issues

Something’s not working as expected? These are the most common issues and their fixes.

White screen of death

Your site shows a blank white page instead of content. Enable debugging. Open wp-config.php and change define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, false ); to:

define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );

This reveals the root cause of the error helping you with troubleshooting the issue.

Error establishing a database connection

Your site can’t connect to its database. Double-check database credentials in wp-config.php. Verify the database name, username, password, and host match exactly what your hosting provider gave you. Make sure you edit this file carefully. one typo can break everything.

404 errors on existing pages

If your homepage works but other pages show 404 errors, check if your .htaccess file exists. Use FTP to look in your site’s root folder for the .htaccess file. If it’s missing, WordPress will recreate it when you save your permalinks settings.

Broken images and links

Images don’t display, or links point to your old localhost URLs.

Re-run URL search and replace. Go back to Better Search Replace and run the replacement again with your exact local and live URLs. And save your permalinks again

Mixed content warnings

Your site shows not secure warnings, or elements don’t load properly. Install Really Simple SSL. This plugin automatically fixes most HTTP/HTTPS mixing issues.

Missing styles or broken functionality

Your site loads, but looks wrong, or plugins don’t work. Check plugin and theme activation. Go to your dashboard and ensure everything that should be active is actually running.

Most migration issues fall into these categories. Work through them in order, and your site will be running smoothly.

Parting thoughts

Your migration is complete, but maintaining a successful website requires ongoing attention.

Start by setting up automated backups using a plugin like BlogVault. Regular backups are your safety net. Update all passwords immediately, including WordPress admin and hosting account credentials, to enhance security.

FAQs

How do I move WordPress from one host to another?

To move WordPress to a new host, use a migration plugin like Migrate Guru. These tools automate the process, making it easy to transfer your files and database to the new host.

How do I export a WordPress site from local?

Export your local site by backing up the files and database. Use tools like Duplicator or manually export and upload them to your live server.

How to take a backup of a WordPress site from localhost?

You can back up your localhost site by copying the entire WordPress folder and exporting the database through phpMyAdmin. Store these safely for future use.

How to test a WordPress website offline?

To test your site offline, set up a local environment using software like XAMPP or Local by Flywheel. Import your site files and database to simulate the live site.

How to migrate a WordPress site manually?

Manually migrate by copying your files and exporting the database. Upload files to the new server via FTP, import the database, and update the wp-config.php file with new host details.