How to Migrate a WordPress Site to DreamHost (Free Automated Plugin)
Move a WordPress site to DreamHost with its free Automated Migration plugin, from preparing the old site to starting the migration in the DreamHost panel.
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DreamHost's free Automated Migration plugin copies an existing WordPress site into your DreamHost hosting. You start it from the DreamHost panel and follow the guided steps.
Check that your site qualifies
The automated migration needs a site that:
- Already runs WordPress, uses https://, and is online
- Lives on a top-level domain (example.com), a subdomain, or a temporary domain, not a subdirectory such as example.com/blog
- Is not on WordPress.com, a site builder (Wix, Squarespace, Weebly), Joomla, or a local computer
WordPress Multisite networks must move as a whole, and DreamHost does not support Multisite on shared hosting or DreamPress.
Step 1: Add your domain to a hosting plan
Sign up for DreamHost, add a hosting plan, and add your domain to it. See how to sign up for DreamHost if you have not done this yet.
Step 2: Update the old site
On your current host, update WordPress to the latest version, then update all themes and plugins. Outdated software is a common cause of failed migrations.
Step 3: Start the migration in the DreamHost panel
- Go to the Manage Websites page.
- Click Manage on your website.
- Open the Content tab.
- Click Start Migration next to "Bring Your Site to DreamHost."
- Click Scan Site, then See Migration Options.
- Under the Automated option, click Select.
- Follow the guided steps, which include installing the migration plugin on your old site.
Step 4: Wait for the confirmation email
Track progress in the Migration section of the panel. DreamHost emails you when it finishes. Larger sites take longer.
Step 5: Test, then point your domain
Check the migrated site, then point your domain's DNS to DreamHost. Keep your old hosting active until the DNS change has spread, usually within a few hours and up to 48.
Other options
If the automated plugin does not fit your site, DreamHost also documents a free manual migration and sells a professional migration service.
See what DreamHost costs after the intro term on the DreamHost renewal price page.
Source: Using the DreamHost Automated Migration WordPress plugin (DreamHost Knowledge Base).
