There are many reasons why a person could find themselves cloning their WordPress website. Maybe they want to move to a production server from a local development or vice-versa, or they could be developing a testing environment or even creating a staging server. They could even be migrating to a different provider, or simply need a copy for a project similar in nature.
In any case, it’s very important that the duplicated content corresponds perfectly with the original. Manual WordPress migration requires a specific level of expertise. You need to be familiar with backing data, copying content, files and images into the specific directories.
If you know you migrating your WordPress manually is asking for trouble, there are several options available that offer little room for error.
1. WordPress Move
WordPress Move sits at the top of the list as the best WordPress transfer plugin to transition from one server to another. This plugin has been downloaded over 100,000 and can be utilized to:
- Transferring databases.
- Moving WordPress from one server to another.
- Creating backups.
This though this is known as a top WordPress transfer plugin, it’s imperative that you backup all of your data first. As you know, anything is possible and it’s best to backup your website before making changes.
PRICE: Free.
2. MyEasyBackup
If you are more of a the straight forward type of person and want to simply get down to business and migrate, MyEasyBackup is a perfect choice.
With this plugin, you have the ability to create a backup, restore your WordPress and then migrate with one simple click, making the process quite easy. MyEasyBackUp has the following features:
- Migrates complete database and creates backup.
- Sends the backup directly to the new server.
- Offers backup compression.
PRICE: Free for one website.
3. Backup Buddy
Backup Buddy sits high on the list of leading plugins used for migration WordPress and creating backups. Backup Buddy earns big points for enabling users to recover their websites easily from any issues with migration.
Not only is it user-friendly and you are able to migrate your website from one server to another directly from the dashboard. All that needs to be done is the creation of a new database and subsequently entering the database credentials during the importing process. This plugin also replaces all URLs to the new domain/server when you migrate your site.
Since this is a premium plugin, it’s quite simple to reach customer support, which works out well because there is a lot of documentation with this plugin. For users who only want to use it for backup purposes only, there are multiple offsite storage options such as Amazon Web Services or Dropbox.
PRICE: Users pay $80 per year for 2 sites.
4. All In-One-WP Migration
All-In-One-WP Migration gets an A+ when it comes to customer satisfaction. On average, it received 4.8 out of 5 in the customer satisfaction department.
With only a few simple clicks, you are able to migrate all of your important files, media files, themes and plugins with ease. This plugin also gives you an optimal mobile experience as well.
PRICE: Free
5. WP Migrate DB Pro
Another interesting option for migration of your WordPress is WP Migrate DB Pro. This plugin offers both free and paid options for service. It has numerous options for customers who need to migrate their websites. In addition, it offers a variety of different features including:
- Migrates tables selectively.
- Pushes and pulls databases.
- Ability to filter posts according to your preference.
- Performs backup of your database before replacing it.
In addition to the above-mentioned features, there are also several add-on options available to users to include:
- Media file add-on option.
- Multi-site tools add-on.
- CLI add-on.
PRICE: Users have a free option or can opt for all features for $90.
Before jumping in with both feet, it’s a good idea to weigh all of your options. Since WordPress installation can be tricky, it could be worthwhile to do a test run before making a final decision. Be mindful and perform multiple backups if migrating your website on your own.