Import or copy a WordPress install

Overview

This article explains how to import or copy an existing WordPress site (created using the DreamHost WordPress installer) into another WordPress site in your panel.

How to import a WordPress site

You can use either of the following options to import/copy your current WordPress site.

Option 1 — Importing to a temporary domain

These instructions create a copy of your WordPress site for testing purposes, without affecting your existing website. 

You can then import your WordPress install into the temporary domain and test its functioning correctly before importing it to your live website. See the following articles for further details: 

• Creating a DreamPress temporary domain
• Changing the domain of a WordPress site in the panel

Option 2 — Import/copy WordPress

1. Navigate to the Manage Websites page.
2. To the right of your WordPress site, 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. Click the WordPress tab.
4. To the right of Import or Copy Existing Site, click the Modify button. Choose one of the following options that appear:
   • Import Existing Site: Copy the contents of another WordPress install to your site.
   • Copy Existing Site: Copy your site to another WordPress install.
5. In the dropdown, select the WordPress site you'd like to install/copy to a new WordPress site.
6. Click Start Import. 

This process is usually short but could take several hours to complete, depending on the size of your website. To avoid any issues, do not make changes to your site until the process is complete and you've received a confirmation email.

See also

• Migrating WordPress overview
• Changing the domain of a WordPress site in the panel
• How to move WordPress to a different domain at DreamHost manually