Overview
This article provides information about the WordPress Content Move Service provided by DreamHost's in-house expert WordPress Support Team. Please contact support if you're interested in learning more or wish to set up this service now.
Background
The WordPress Content Move Service moves the entire content of your site from one DreamHost account to another and, in almost all cases, includes the following:
- Your WordPress site and database
- The existing SSL/TLS certificate serving the domain
- Any custom DNS records you’ve created for the domain at DreamHost
- Any existing email addresses attached to the domain and their contents
- Any Announcement Lists or Discussion Lists attached to the domain
- Any subdomains that are hosted as DNS Only or Redirect
If technical limitations prevent any of the above from being moved, DreamHost will let you know BEFORE performing the service and work with you to devise an appropriate workaround.
The service can also be used to make a copy of your existing site and fully host it under a different domain on your own account, all while leaving the original site intact.
How it works
The following describes the general WordPress Content Move Service process:
- Once you contact DreamHost and establish that the Content Move Service fits your needs, DreamHost will then add the service charge to your account and send you an email to confirm additional details to help ensure the move goes as smoothly as possible, as well as to ask you to pay for the service fee.
- Once the fee is paid, reply to the message with the details requested. DreamHost will then begin the move process.
- DreamHost will send you another email when the move completes to let you know it's done. The email may also include any additional details or instructions if necessary.
- If everything looks satisfactory and you’re happy with the move, there is no need to reply. DreamHost will assume you are satisfied with it. On the rare occasion that you do notice a problem that may have been missed during the QA process, you can reply with a brief description of it. Please provide any details that DreamHost can use to identify the problem in order to get things back on track for you.
WordPress migration services
Migrating WordPress from your current hosting provider
DreamHost can move your WordPress site to your DreamHost account by moving all your data over to a new server, all without any interruption to your existing users. See this page to learn more about the Website Transfer service.
Pricing
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If you wish to migrate from your current hosting provider, another DreamHost account, or another TLD (e.g., example.net to example.com on the same account):
- $99 — Migrating to a standard hosting plan per site.
- Free — Migrating to any DreamPress plan.
Limitations
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- The WordPress Migration service cannot move WordPress Network (multisite) sites at this time.
- If your site is hosted at WordPress.com, only an export of your pages, posts, and embedded images is available. You will need to reinstall your own theme, plugins, and most layout items, such as widgets and menus.
Moving WordPress between DreamHost accounts
DreamHost's technical support team can move your WordPress site from an existing DreamHost account to an existing DreamHost account by moving all your data over to a new server, all without any interruption to your existing users. For more information, see this article.
Pricing
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If you wish to migrate from another DreamHost Account:
- $25 — Migrating to a standard hosting plan per site.
- Free — Migrating to any DreamPress plan.
Limitations
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- The WordPress Migration service cannot move WordPress Network (multisite) sites at this time.
- As it is not possible to host the same domain on two accounts simultaneously, there will be a brief amount of downtime (usually less than 5 minutes) as DreamHost makes the switch. If you’re using external name servers, you will need to update your domain’s A records to match the new IP.
Changing WordPress site URLs
You are able to move your WordPress site to a new domain name in the panel if it was installed using the DreamHost WordPress installer or DreamPress. For more information, see the following articles:
DreamPress is a managed WordPress hosting plan that DreamHost offers as an upgrade to a standard hosting plan.
If you have recently migrated your site to a new domain, changed the URLs on your own, or have added an SSL certificate to a domain that was previously not using one, you will need to manually change your WordPress site URLs.
DreamHost can change the URLs for you for a one-time charge of $19.99. To submit a WordPress URL change request, visit the Contact Support page in the panel and include the domain/URL you are changing from and the new domain/URL you would like to use. The DreamHost support team will reply back confirming the $19.99 charge and the work being done.
This service is free for DreamPress sites.
FAQs
How many site moves are included in the service?
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DreamHost can move as many sites as you wish, but they are individually priced at $25 each.
Will my site remain online during the process?
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In an account-to-account move, DreamHost must temporarily remove your domain's hosting from the source account so it can be added to the new one. This is unavoidable, and unfortunately, it does cause a brief amount of downtime. Fortunately, due to DreamHost's ultrafast TTL settings, this usually lasts no more than five minutes.
If you’re using third-party nameservers and need to update your domain's A records, let DreamHost know what time works best for you so that the move can be performed at an optimal time.
If DreamHost is simply making a copy of your site and hosting it on your own account, it will remain live throughout the process.
What is the turnaround time?
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Once the service is paid for and DreamHost has everything it needs from you, the entire process normally completes in just a few hours. If your site is particularly large, it may take a little longer, but DreamHost will keep you updated if there are any delays.
Due to the nature of the process, some follow-up may be necessary before DreamHost can begin the move. In cases where there is more than one account owner, DreamHost will need consent from each owner before initiating the content move.
Can I continue to post on my website?
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No. From a technical standpoint, if you update your site while DreamHost is transferring the data or before your new DNS records have propagated, you’re actually making changes on the OLD server. DreamHost strongly recommends not making any changes to your site once you’ve ordered the service to avoid any problems.
You should also consider toggling the site into Maintenance Mode (e.g., if it's an eCommerce site or receives comments/posts, as these too may be lost if placed during the move). DreamHost is happy to schedule a time window for the move to suit your schedule where possible.
Will the mobile version of my site be affected?
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DreamHost is only able to guarantee to move the desktop version of your site. If you’re using a plugin to generate a mobile version, this usually continues to run just fine, but there can be issues if the plugin you’re using does not use regular WordPress enqueues. If you do have issues with the mobile version of your site after a move, please let DreamHost know. The team is more than happy to offer some limited troubleshooting to get the mobile site running as well.