How to Manually Migrate a WordPress Site Without Plugins

Manual migration is a reliable method for experienced users but requires careful handling of database exports and file transfers to avoid errors. medium confidence based on 8 community reports

Manual migration is a reliable method for experienced users but requires careful handling of database exports and file transfers to avoid errors.

Based on 8 community reports.

Linked sources: 9.

Known Issues

Database connection errors
Broken internal links
Incorrect file permissions
Missing media assets

Community Q&A

Can I migrate WordPress without a plugin?

Yes, you can manually migrate by exporting your database via phpMyAdmin, copying all site files via FTP/SFTP, and updating the wp-config.php file.

What is the most important step in a manual migration?

The most critical step is ensuring you have a complete backup of both your database and your wp-content folder before initiating any transfer.

Do I need to update my domain settings after migration?

Yes, you must update your DNS records to point to the new server and ensure your site URL settings in the database match the new domain.

Reddit Sources

thinking about migrating my business site off elementor (r/Wordpress)
What is your offboarding process for hosting/maintenance? (r/Wordpress)
Shifting TLD’s, multi-site and migration confusion (r/Wordpress)
thinking about migrating my business site off elementor (r/Wordpress)
Wordpress + Cloudflare Free Setup (r/Wordpress)
I’m actually proud of myself for simultaneously building both the front and back end of a WordPress site without actual previous coding knowledge. (r/Wordpress)
We’ve done 110+ WordPress to Webflow migrations: Here’s the honest comparison nobody writes (r/Wordpress)
If you want AI agents to edit your WordPress site in 2026, don’t wait for 7.0. Here’s why. (r/Wordpress)
Happiness Engineer position at Automattic (r/Wordpress)