If you’ve been working on a development website and are ready to move it to a different hosting plan for staging, production, or client delivery, OzSpeed’s hPanel makes the process straightforward. This guide will help you safely migrate your development website to a new hosting plan while preserving all your content, files, and settings.
Step 1: Backup Your Development Website #
Before starting the migration process, create a full backup of your development website to ensure you can restore it if anything goes wrong.
How to Create a Backup: #
- Log in to hPanel at ozspeed.com.au.
- Go to Files > Backups.
- Click “Create New Backup” and wait for the process to complete.
- Download the backup file to your local computer for safekeeping.
Tip: #
- Keep a copy of the backup file on cloud storage as an extra precaution.
Step 2: Set Up the New Hosting Plan #
If you haven’t already done so, set up the new hosting plan where you want to move the website.
How to Set Up a New Hosting Plan: #
- Go to Hosting > Add New Website in hPanel.
- Choose your domain or create a new subdomain (e.g., live.yourdomain.com).
- Click “Set Up Hosting” and follow the prompts to complete the process.
Tip: #
- Make sure the new hosting plan has sufficient storage and bandwidth to accommodate the website files.
Step 3: Export Website Files and Database #
To move your website, you need to export both the website files and the database.
How to Export Website Files: #
- Go to Files > File Manager in hPanel.
- Open the public_html folder and select all files.
- Click “Download” to save the files as a ZIP archive.
How to Export the Database: #
- Go to Databases > phpMyAdmin in hPanel.
- Select the development website’s database and click “Export”.
- Choose Quick Export and click “Go” to download the SQL file.
Tip: #
- Use a tool like BigDump for large databases to speed up the export process.
Step 4: Upload Files to the New Hosting Plan #
Now, upload the website files to the new hosting plan.
How to Upload Files: #
- Log in to hPanel for the new hosting plan.
- Go to Files > File Manager.
- Open the public_html folder and click “Upload”.
- Select the ZIP file you downloaded earlier and click Upload.
- Once the upload is complete, extract the ZIP file.
Tip: #
- Ensure all files are in the correct directory (e.g., public_html) to avoid broken links.
Step 5: Import the Database #
Next, import the database to the new hosting plan.
How to Import the Database: #
- Go to Databases > phpMyAdmin for the new hosting plan.
- Click “Import” and select the SQL file you exported earlier.
- Click “Go” to complete the import process.
Tip: #
- If you encounter a timeout error, split the SQL file or use BigDump for large imports.
Step 6: Update Configuration Files #
You need to update the website’s configuration files to match the new hosting plan’s database credentials.
How to Update wp-config.php (for WordPress): #
- Go to Files > File Manager in hPanel.
- Open the wp-config.php file for editing.
- Update the following lines with the new database credentials:phpCopy code
define('DB_NAME', 'new_database_name'); define('DB_USER', 'new_database_user'); define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_database_password'); define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'); - Click Save to apply the changes.
Tip: #
- For non-WordPress websites, update the configuration file specific to your CMS (e.g.,
config.phpfor Joomla).
Step 7: Update DNS Settings #
To point your domain to the new hosting plan, update the DNS settings.
How to Update DNS Records: #
- Go to Domains > DNS Settings in hPanel.
- Update the A Record to point to the new server’s IP address (found in DNS Settings).
- Save the changes.
Tip: #
- Allow up to 24-48 hours for DNS propagation.
Step 8: Test the Migrated Website #
Before making the new website live, thoroughly test it to ensure everything is working correctly.
Testing Checklist: #
- Check All Pages: Visit each page to verify it loads without errors.
- Test Forms and Links: Submit test messages through forms and click on all links.
- Check Mobile Compatibility: Use the responsive design mode in your browser to see how the site looks on mobile devices.
- Verify SSL: Ensure the new domain or subdomain uses HTTPS.
Tip: #
- Use tools like Pingdom to check the website’s performance and loading speed.
Step 9: Update SEO Settings and Analytics #
If you’re moving the website to a new domain or subdomain, update your SEO settings and analytics tracking codes.
How to Update SEO Settings: #
- Go to Marketing > SEO Tools in hPanel.
- Update the Meta Title, Meta Description, and Keywords for the new domain.
Update Analytics: #
- Go to Settings > Tracking Codes in hPanel.
- Paste the new Google Analytics tracking code.
Tip: #
- Use Google Search Console to resubmit your sitemap for the new domain.
Step 10: Go Live with the New Website #
Once testing is complete and you’ve updated the necessary settings, it’s time to go live.
How to Publish the New Website: #
- In hPanel, go to Hosting > Manage Hosting.
- Click “Publish” to make the new website live.
- Double-check the DNS settings to ensure the domain points to the correct server.
Tip: #
- Inform your clients or team members about the migration and provide the new URL if it has changed.
Troubleshooting Tips #
- Database Connection Error:
- Verify the database credentials in the configuration file.
- Ensure the database user has the correct permissions.
- Mixed Content Warning:
- Update all internal links and assets (e.g., images, scripts) to use HTTPS.
- Use a plugin like Better Search Replace in WordPress to fix the URLs.
- Website Not Loading Properly:
- Clear your browser cache and website cache in hPanel.
- Check the DNS settings and allow time for propagation.
Additional Tips: #
- Use a Staging Environment: Create a staging subdomain (e.g., staging.yourdomain.com) for testing before deploying the website live.
- Keep the Original Site Active: Maintain the original development site until you’ve confirmed the migration is successful.
- Regular Backups: Schedule regular backups in hPanel to protect your data
