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How to Migrate a WordPress Site with Duplicator

Follow a WordPress migration with Duplicator: build a package, prepare the destination database, upload files, run the installer and check the new website.

By Ionut
Published · Updated

Install Duplicator

This walkthrough follows the original Duplicator migration process: install the plugin, build a package, prepare the destination server, run the installer and clean up afterward. The screenshots show the interfaces used in the source tutorial.

Step 1: Install the Duplicator plugin

  1. Sign in to the WordPress administration area of the website you want to migrate.
  2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
  3. Search for Duplicator.
  4. Select Install Now, then Activate.
Install Duplicator
Search for Duplicator in WordPress, install the plugin and activate it to begin the migration.

Step 2: Create a migration package

  1. After activating the plugin, go to Duplicator > Packages.
  2. Select Create New.
  3. Follow the package-creation wizard:
    • Select Next to scan the website.
    • Review the scan results and address any problems.
    • Select Build.
Build a Duplicator Package
Review the scan results, address any issues, then build the migration archive.
  1. When the build finishes, download the installer.php file and the package archive (.zip).

Step 3: Prepare the destination server

  1. Sign in to the destination server's cPanel. This cPanel demonstration illustrates the control panel.
    • Create a new database using phpMyAdmin or the available database-management tool.
    • Record the database name, user, password and server address.

Create the new database

Open Database Management
Locate the database-management section in the destination hosting control panel.
Create the Destination Database
Create a database for the migrated WordPress installation and record its name.

Create a database user

Create a Database User
Create the database user and keep the connection details available for the installer.

Give the user access to the database

Assign the Database User
Select the database and user that should be associated with the migrated site.
Set Database Privileges
Grant the user the database access required by the WordPress installation.
  1. Upload the files to the new server:
    • Use cPanel File Manager or an FTP client such as FileZilla to upload installer.php and the package archive to the website's root directory.
Open File Manager
Use the hosting control panel's File Manager to access the destination website files.
Locate the Website Root
Open the destination website's root directory before uploading the archive and installer.

Upload the locally saved installer and package archive into the destination website's root directory.

Upload the Migration Files
Upload the Duplicator package archive and installer from your computer.
Check the Uploaded Files
Confirm that the package and installer are present in the destination directory.

Step 4: Run the migration

  1. Open a browser and visit:
    https://your-domain.com/installer.php
  2. Follow the installer prompts:
    • Enter the database connection details.
    • Select Validate to test the database.
    • If validation succeeds, select Next.
Run the Duplicator Installer
Enter the destination database details and validate the connection.
  1. Confirm the website details and complete the process.
Complete Migration Validation
Review the validation results and continue through the final migration steps.
  1. Sign in to the migrated WordPress website.
  2. Go to Settings > Permalinks and select Save Changes.
Finish and Clean Up the Migration
After migration, sign in to WordPress, save permalink settings and confirm installation files have been removed.

Conclusion

The Duplicator migration is complete once the website has been restored successfully. Check that every page works as expected, and make sure temporary installation files have been removed for security.

After migration, review performance and technical SEO to confirm that the new environment supports the site properly. Hostnary's ongoing WordPress management covers the maintenance, monitoring and technical review needed after the move.