Moving wordpress to a new domain AND host

https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Moving_WordPress#Moving_WordPress_to_a_New_Server

Change the URLs on your Old Domain, copy EVERYTHING to the new domain, live happily ever after.

Chang the URL’s on the old domain… meaning….

Go into every single post/page with the URL’s in it, and change them to the absolute URL of the new domain? Or can I just make them all relative URL’s and they will auto adjust to any domain I put them on as long as the folders are the same name?

Also, what about all the media uploaded thru the media uploader? It will just come as well I imagine when I copy.

One last thing, “copy”… meaning via FTP literally COPY… or export thru wp-admin and them import again?

Go into every single post/page with the URL’s in it, and change them to the absolute URL of the new domain? Or can I just make them all relative URL’s and they will auto adjust to any domain I put them on as long as the folders are the same name?

Not at all. Meaning read the URL I gave you ?? Swear this answers that question.

Also, what about all the media uploaded thru the media uploader? It will just come as well I imagine when I copy.

If you copy (via FTP) EVERYTHING, your images will come.

Okay, so read thru that real quick… and since I don’t care if the old site (test server) works or not… it seems the steps are rather easy… forgive my ignorance just wanting to make sure I have this down….

1. Download copy of entire site via FTP to my HDD

2. edit wp-config.php file
A. Am I just changing every instance of my test server I see to the live server?
B. What about the database name, user, password? It doesn’t mention those.. just leave them how they are with the old name?

3. Change both URL’s under general settings

4. download a copy of the database (wp-config.php file) and copy that file and the entire rest of the wordpress files so the new server.

DONE.

Seems easy enough… the only thing I’m wondering is if I change the DB name, username, password, or will that auto be done when I change the general settings URL path?

Thanks again.

B. What about the database name, user, password? It doesn’t mention those.. just leave them how they are with the old name?

That depends. If you download and upload and keep the same name, you’re fine. IF they change, use the new ones. Most of the time they change.

That depends. If you download and upload and keep the same name, you’re fine. IF they change, use the new ones. Most of the time they change.

How exactly will I know if they change or not? I mean where would I be looking to in order to find that information? Since in the wp-config.php file they will still read the same, correct?

Also, was I correct in assuming when it says download a copy of the database it meant the wp-config.php file? I cannot find any other database file while looking around all the files via FTP.

Again, I really appreciate your help, my first time and a lot of info so I’d hate to screw it all up. You’ve been super helpful so far!

You’ll know if they change because when you make the NEW database on the NEW account, you will know what those values are. Then, you will compare them to what you have right now and go either “Oh good, the same!” or “Huh, different”

It makes a lot more sense when you’re doing it.

Okay, last time I bug you I swear!

When I first installed wordpress it was with fantastico and I knew the database name etc… should I do that again with the new one? Or just straight copy it all over like the instructions say? If I just straight copy it over, then It wouldn’t tell me the database name right off the bat.

Again, I’m sorry for the ignorance, I’ve only installed WP via fantastico and not manually before. Installing manually does the wp-config.php file automatically make a new database that I can view using phpmyadmin?

If you can copy the database, do that. Sometimes you have to make a new database and import it.

Either way, DO NOT use Fantastico to make your new database. It’s not needed. You can just do it via phpMyAdmin, which will let you create and import a database.

If you need specific directions on how to do that, you need to ask your HOST, who will have directions for how it works on their servers ?? Each server is a bit different.

Okay, thanks again. I know how to operate phpMyAdmin and import/export databases…

I’ll just do that. copy over all the files, change the urls in the wp-config.php and under settings in backend, and export my database… then just throw it all up on the new server and import the database.

I still find it crazy that if I type a link to a media file I have uploaded in wordpress by actually linking to it URL in the text field, that this all auto-changes to the new URL… crazy stuff I swear!

I doubt you’re still floating around to answer one more question after a month haha… but worth a shot.

So, ONE final question. If I use FTP to copy everything (entire test site folder) over and I had previously installed with fantastico that means I will get the stuff fantastico automatically adds as well….. will this pose any issues?

Thanks for the help… got it all figured out and MAN it’s REALLY easy to do haha… I guess I just had myself all worked up.