Moving sites out of Multi sites – how do you handle the domain?

As you mention ‘domain’ and not ‘sub.domain’ I assume then the network has a domain mapping feature?

If so the process is relatively simple

migrate the multi site domain to a stand alone localhost install
validate the localhost install and resolve any issues
remove the domain alias from the multi-site account / server
add a new server virtual host entry for the new domain
migrate the localhost to the new location

Can you not just go into the Multi Site and ‘disable’ it?

So you disable it, before you go to the ‘new hosting’ on the same server to install?

It all depends how you set up the server.

What admin panels you are using? What web server you using?

You may be able to just disable the domain mapping and then extract and add. But the detail is in the technical env that we dont know about.

Personally I always create localhost site first and tidy it up, I have used several plugins in the past and none have actually migrated smoothly, maybe they have improved since I last used them, I don’t know.

You typically end up with plugins you don’t need and often some broken links, they all shoudl be tidied up before ‘releasing’ in my opinion.

Don’t assume this is easy.

It sounds like – forgive me – you are making sound more complex than it is.

I did look in the settings and found all the sites, with Disable buttons.
In theory I can use a plugin to export the site (and it’s relevant plugins assigned to it), then disable it, and import it into fresh hosting?

Or am I missing something?
I’ve been delving in how to do this, then found that Disable button but each site and it’s folder.

BTW it’s cpanel.

In theory I can use a plugin to export the site (and it’s relevant plugins assigned to it), then disable it, and import it into fresh hosting?

In theory

It sounds like – forgive me – you are making sound more complex than it is.

I forgive you.
The last multi site I migrated was about 2 years ago, at that point no plugin was up to the task. I haven’t migrated many multi sites, maybe only 15 ( but, forgive me, that is probably 15 more than you ).

I developed my own process ( and published it ) that works for me.

Your original question asked how do you deal with it, chicken and egg, and my solution is to use an intermediate localhost site. It is not complex.

Of course, try it directly and let us know, it would be good to hear of a slicker process.

• This reply was modified 9 months ago by Alan Fuller.

Our hosting team can migrate the multi site.

We can use Duplicator Pro to export each site outbound and then use it to add it to it’s own hosting. That side of things I know for sure.

It’s more about how the server knows to use the NEW site rather than the Multi version. I think the answer is: disable it on the Multi.

But still, will do.

If it is cpanel, it is likely that the domains have been added as domain aliases or add on domains on the cpanel account that the multisite is, check that.

if so you will need remove the cpanel add-on or aliase before adding the new account if you are using cpanel on the same server.

if you are using a different host entirely it is just a matter of switching the DNS IP at the appropriate time.

Your hosting team will be well versed in such switch overs.

Add on domains are typically mapped to a specific sub-folders under public_html, as opposed to multi-site domains where they are all mapped to the multi-site installation. Any time a requested server resource actually exists, that resource gets control. Only when a requested resource does not exist does WP get control. So if your add on domain is mapped to a sub-folder containing a single site WP installation, any such domain requests will go there instead of the multi-site installation.

You still should remove the domain from multi-site, but it would never be used there anyway as long as the domain is mapped to an actual sub-folder.