Migrating WordPress overview

This article explains the three primary options to migrate a WordPress site to DreamHost. You may use any of the following options, depending on the type of migration your site requires:

• Automated (free plugin)
• Professional (paid migration)
• Manual (free)

DreamHost has partnered with the makers of BlogVault to provide DreamHost Automated Migration, a free WordPress plugin that allows you to quickly and easily migrate your WordPress site to DreamHost. There are two ways to use this plugin, depending on the domain name you're migrating to:

Migrating to a top-level domain

Most often, this is the same domain name of your current site. For example:

• example.com

View the following article for instructions on migrating to this type of domain name:

• Using the DreamHost Automated Migration WordPress plugin

Migrating to a temporary domain

These instructions are ONLY used when migrating to a temporary domain name, such as:

• example.dreamhosters.com 
• example.dream.press

View the following article for instructions on migrating to this type of domain name:

• Migrating a WordPress site to a temporary domain

This option appears in the panel when you proceed with the following steps to scan your site for available migration options.

1. Log into your panel.

2. Navigate to the Manage Websites page and click the Manage button to open the Domain Settings page, which allows you to adjust various settings for your site.

   • If in Grid view, click the Manage button at the bottom of the website box.
   • If in List view, click the Manage button at the far right of your domain name.
3. Under the Migration section, click the Get Started button.

   A new page opens.

4. Click the Scan my Site button.

   Your site is scanned to determine which migration options are available.

5. Click the See Migration Options button.

   A new page opens listing available migration options.

6. Under the Professional option, click the Select button.

   A series of steps appear to guide you through the Professional migration service.

This option allows you to manually migrate all of your WordPress files and database at your own pace.

There are two ways to go about manually migrating your WordPress site:

Following the guided steps in the panel

The panel describes every step involved when you proceed with the following steps to scan your site for available migration options.

1. Log into your panel.

2. Navigate to the Manage Websites page and click the Manage button to open the Domain Settings page, which allows you to adjust various settings for your site.

   • If in Grid view, click the Manage button at the bottom of the website box.
   • If in List view, click the Manage button at the far right of your domain name.
3. Under the Migration section, click the Get Started button.

   A new page opens.

4. Click the Scan my Site button.

   Your site is scanned to determine which migration options are available.

5. Click the See Migration Options button.

   A new page opens listing available migration options.

6. Under the Manual option, click the Select button.

   A series of steps appear to guide you through manually migrating your WordPress site.

Using the Automated Migration plugin

The Automated Migration plugin can also be used to manually migrate your website. View the following article for more information:

• Migrate a WordPress site using FTP credentials