Moving a locally-developed WordPress site to a live server

( see Udemy course)

See also Andy Williams lecture on moving a WordPress site

1 Delete unwanted files, plugins and check all is up to date.
2 Install WordPress, either using Softaculous, or manually. Remember to leave ‘In directory’ box blank if installing in the root (public_html) folder.
3 Use any login, eg admin/12345 and any email (won’t be needed)
4 Install. Check URL in browser – should show default site OK.
5 wp-config.php file: in cPanel, File Manager, right-click the file and ‘Code Edit’. Paste into Notepad++
6 Security Keys in wp-config.php: created automatically if auto-installed. Otherwise, can use the link to generate more keys later.
7 In local W/P Dashboard: install WP Migrate Database plugin. Activate plugin.
8 In Tools>MigrateDB> Find/Replace: fill in Replace boxes with URL of site: //staffsmoorlandslabour.org.uk
9 ditto with: filepath to site folder on server: /home/staffsmoorlandsl/public_html
10 Export, to sql.gz file in Downloads folder
11 Import this file into database on web server: In phpMyAdmin, select correct database staffsmo_wp351
12 Select the sql.gz file in Downloads and click ‘Go’
13 Move files to server: Select the site folder in Windows Explorer and add to zip file. Store a copy in Download folder (drag & drop)
14 Import files on top of installation: In cPanel>File Manager: select root/public_html: Upload; choose the zip file in Downloads and upload it (takes a long time)
15 Select the zip file in root folder/public_html and ‘Extract’ This – creates a new folder, called ‘moorlands’ in same folder
16 Select this ‘moorlands’ folder and select all its contents, then ‘Move’ – to the public_html folder.
17 Check all transferred files are in place (plugins, themes, images in uploads, etc.)
18 Delete empty ‘moorlands’ folder and the zip file
19 wp-config.php file: will have copied the local file to replace the new one on the server, but need the DB name, user & password from the online new install config file, which was copied to notepad++. Copy these to the file now on the server, using File Manager and ‘Code Edit’.
20 Go to site URL in browser – should be working. Same W/P user/pwd as dev site.
21 If not: could be extra tables from initial install, with different prefix – remove them.
22 If working but some link issues, check and resave settings for site URLs and permalinks.
23 Any other problems, may be in wp-config.php file.