Introduction
Moving your WordPress site to Systron.net can seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be straightforward. This guide will take you through each step, complete with commands, examples, and answers to common questions.
Prerequisites
- Access to your current hosting provider's cPanel or FTP.
- WordPress admin credentials.
- Systron.net hosting account credentials.
- Domain registrar credentials for DNS updates.
- A WordPress backup plugin (optional but recommended).
Method 1: Migrating with a Plugin (Recommended for Beginners)
This method utilizes a plugin to automate the backup, transfer, and restoration process. We'll use the popular plugin "UpdraftPlus Backup & Migration."
Steps
- Install and Activate UpdraftPlus: Login to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, search for "UpdraftPlus," and install/activate the plugin.
- Backup Your Site: In the UpdraftPlus settings, go to the Backup tab and click Backup Now. The plugin will create a compressed file containing your entire site (files and database).
- Download the Backup: Once the backup is complete, click Download next to the backup file. Save it to your local computer.
- Setup Your Systron.net Account: Sign up for a hosting plan with Systron.net and ensure you have your login credentials ready.
- Upload Backup to Systron.net: Login to your Systron.net Plesk / cPanel and access the File Manager. Navigate to the public_html directory (where your website files reside). Upload the downloaded backup file from UpdraftPlus.
- Import to New Database: In your Systron.net cPanel, access phpMyAdmin. Create a new database for your WordPress site. Download the UpdraftPlus backup file again, this time extracting the .sql file within it.
- Import the .sql File: In phpMyAdmin, select your newly created database. Click the Import tab, choose the extracted .sql file, and click Go. This will import your WordPress database to Systron.net.
- Update wp-config.php: Using an FTP client or Plesk / cPanel's File Manager, edit the `wp-config.php` file located in your WordPress root directory on Systron.net. Update the database credentials (DB_NAME, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD) with the ones you created for the new database.
- Test Your Site: Visit your WordPress site's URL on Systron.net. You should see your website functioning normally. If not, double-check the wp-config.php edits and database connection.
Method 2: Manual Migration (For Advanced Users)
This method involves manually transferring your site files and database. It requires some technical knowledge of FTP and databases.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Backup Your WordPress Site
Create a backup of your WordPress site, including files and database. You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus or manually follow the steps below:
Manual Backup
- Log in to your cPanel and navigate to File Manager.
- Compress your WordPress installation directory (usually
public_html
) into a .zip file. - Download the .zip file to your local system.
- Export your database via phpMyAdmin:
- Go to phpMyAdmin.
- Select your WordPress database.
- Click on the Export tab and choose Quick export format.
- Save the exported .sql file.
2. Upload Files to Systron.net
- Log in to your Systron.net Plesk / cPanel and open File Manager.
- Upload the .zip file containing your WordPress files to the
public_html
directory. - Extract the .zip file using the Extract option.
3. Import Your Database
- In Systron.net Plesk / cPanel, navigate to phpMyAdmin.
- Create a new database:
- Go to MySQL Databases.
- Create a new database and note its name.
- Create a database user and assign it to the new database with all privileges.
- In phpMyAdmin, select the new database and click the Import tab.
- Choose the .sql file from your local system and click Go.
4. Update wp-config.php
Edit the wp-config.php
file to match the new database details:
define('DB_NAME', 'your_database_name');
define('DB_USER', 'your_database_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_database_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
Save the changes and re-upload the file if necessary.
5. Update DNS Settings
- Log in to your domain registrar's control panel.
- Update the nameservers to point to Systron.net (e.g.,
ns1.systron.net
andns2.systron.net
). - Allow up to 48 hours for DNS propagation.
FAQs
- What if I encounter a 500 Internal Server Error?
- Check the file permissions and ensure the
.htaccess
file is properly configured. - Can I test my site before DNS propagation?
- Yes, you can modify your
hosts
file to map your domain to Systron.net's IP address temporarily. - Does Systron.net provide migration assistance?
- Yes, Systron.net offers professional migration services for its customers.
Examples
Example: Modifying the hosts file (Windows)
- Open Notepad as an administrator.
- Navigate to
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
. - Add an entry like:
192.168.1.1 yourdomain.com
. - Save the file and test your site in the browser.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can successfully migrate your WordPress site to Systron.net. If you encounter issues, feel free to contact Systron.net's support team for assistance.