Moving a WordPress website to a new host, creating a backup, or cloning your site for testing? Whether you're a beginner or a pro, we'll give you every method to export and import your entire WordPress site without losing data.

Before we dive into the how, let's talk about the why:

• Migrating to a new host;
• Creating backups;
• Duplicating a site (for staging, testing, or client work);
• Moving from localhost to live server.

Important! Always back up your site before making big changes!

Export & Import with WordPress Built-in Tools (Easy, But Limited)

WordPress has a built-in export/import tool, but it only moves posts, pages, and media - not themes, plugins, or settings.

Export

• Go to Tools → Export

• Choose "All Content" (or select specific post types).

• Click "Download Export File" (an XML file will save).

Import

• On the new site, go to Tools → Import.

• Install the WordPress Importer plugin (if not already active).

• Upload the XML file and assign authors.

Limitation: This doesn't transfer themes, plugins, or customizer settings.

Manual Migration via cPanel/phpMyAdmin (Advanced, Full Control)

For a complete site transfer, you'll need to move both files + database.

Export the Database

• Go to phpMyAdmin (in your hosting panel);
• Select your WordPress database;
• Click Export → Quick → SQL → Export.

Download WordPress Files via FTP;

Connect via FileZilla (or your FTP client);

Download the entire "/public_html" folder (or "/wp-content" for themes/plugins/uploads);

Import on the New Server.

• Upload files via FTP to the new host;
• Create a new database in phpMyAdmin;
• Import the SQL file;
• Update "wp-config.php" with new database details.

Important! Use "Better Search Replace" plugin to update old URLs in the database.

Popular Migration Issues

Other Worpress Articles that may be interesting for you:

• How to Import and Export WordPress Theme Settings
• How to Export and Import Widgets in Wordpress
• Database Theme Options Export and Import
• Best WordPress Plugins to Import & Export an Entire Website