WordPress, which is an open-source, free content management system that uses MySQL and PHP, is becoming an increasingly popular way for users to develop websites in a quick and efficient manner. What happens when you need to transfer WordPress from local host to server, however? While you can do this entirely using plug-ins, it is also possible to transfer your WordPress website from local host to a live server manually. Just follow these nine easy steps.

1. Choose A Web Hosting Service That Supports WordPress

Before you can begin to migrate your WordPress site’s content to a live server, you will require web hosting that fully supports WordPress. Don’t try to migrate to a live server that is not designed to accommodate WordPress, or you’ll run into a score of issues.

2. Export The Local Database From WordPress

First, navigate to http://localhost/phpmyadmin/. Next, click on your WordPress database. From the top menu bar, select the button that says “export.” At this point, an option labeled Export Method should appear. You want to select “custom” in order to have more control over the process. Be sure to select all of your tables for export. For compression, choose gzipped. Finally, press the “go” button located at the very end of the page to download the entire database.

3. Upload All Of Your WordPress Files To The Live Site

This step will require use of an FTP client for connecting to the live site. Choose the correct directory when uploading, and then select your local files in order to upload them to the live server. This can usually be accomplished with a simple click and drag process.

4. Create A MySQL Database On The Live Site

In addition to uploading your WordPress files, you will also need to import your database to the live server. A great tool for accomplishing this is called cPanel. On the cPanel dashboard, in the database section, you will need to select the MySQL databases button. Then, enter an original name and click “Create Database.” Next, go to the users section to create a new user or to add an already exiting one to the database, and then grant that user privileges.

5. Import The WordPress Database To The Live Site

Return to the database section of your cPanel dashboard, choose phpMyAdmin, and highlight your database. When your new database appears without tables, go to the menu at the top and click on the tab labeled “import.” Next, click on “choose file” and then “gzipped” before scrolling to the bottom of the page and pressing “go.”

6. Change The URL Of Your Website

Locate the recently imported wp_options table in your database from your phpMyAdmin. From the sidebar, click on “browse,” and a page containing a list of fields will open. Locate “siteurl” beneath the field labeled “options_name” and click “edit field,” which you should be able to find at the start of the row on the far left. The input box for option_value will then show you the URL for the local install. In this field, input your new URL and click the “go” button to save it. Do this again for the option called “home.” The home tab is typically located on the second page.

7. Configure WordPress

On your website, you will see a message that reads “error establishing database connection.” Use an FTP client to connect to the website and edit the wp-config.php file. At this point, you will need to furnish the database name and your user name and password and then save the file in order to upload it to your server once again.

8. Update Your WordPress Settings

When you login to the admin panel, click on “Settings” and then “General.” Now save options to correct your URL elsewhere. Then, also in “Settings,” go to “Permalink” and click on save.

9. Review Your Live Site To See That The Links Are Working And Your Images Are Appearing Properly

If something isn’t working quite right, consider using a plug-in to troubleshoot the problem. For example, if you discover some broken links, you might want to check out the Velvet Blues WordPress plugin.

If you follow the process outlined above, you can easily transfer WordPress from local host to server. These nine simple steps will ensure your ability to move your pages, themes, images, posts, and even plug-ins to the new live site.