How to Move WordPress From Localhost to Live Server

Your go-live checklist

Method 1 — Duplicator, the recommended path:

1. Install the Duplicator plugin on the local site and click Create New; it packages files plus database into an archive with an installer.php.
2. Download both files.
3. Upload them to the live server's public_html via cPanel File Manager.
4. Browse to yourdomain.com/installer.php and walk the wizard — enter the live database credentials you created in cPanel.
5. Let it extract, import and rewrite the URLs from localhost to the live domain.
6. Delete the installer files when it finishes, then log into wp-admin on the live site.

The URL problem deserves respect — WordPress stores the site URL in serialized data that naive find-and-replace corrupts, which is exactly what Duplicator's rewrite handles. After the move: resave permalinks, confirm SSL, and test forms on the live domain. The WordPress hosting stack provisions the database in minutes, and the site-cloning guide uses the same mechanics for staging.

Method 1: Duplicator, recommended steps

Duplicator, recommended steps. Build the Duplicator package on the old host, upload the archive and installer.php to the new account, run the installer, then delete installer.php and the archive. Update the site URL only if the domain is changing. Take a backup before you start, and do not point DNS until the copy opens on a temporary URL.

Method 2: manual export and import

On Duplicator go-live, the honest summary is that defaults matter more than brand names — a well-set budget plan outranks a mis-tuned premium one. WebJi® documents its defaults openly and adjusts them per ticket when workloads need it.

The URL problem: serialized data

The URL problem: serialized data. Do the change this heading names on one site first, then check it in a private browser window or in the mail client, depending on the topic. Change one setting at a time, and undo it if the result is wrong before you try the next. If you want the Jaipur desk to look with you, email support@webji.services — that mailbox is staffed 24/7 in Hindi and English. Phone +91 141 4941811 is business hours only.

wp-config changes for the live database

Two practical notes on search-replace for serialized URLs: it interacts directly with caching and database response, and misconfiguration is the most common cause of 'hosting is slow' tickets. WebJi® support checks it as part of standard migrations.

Post-move must-dos: permalinks, SSL, visibility

On wp-config database credentials, the honest summary is that defaults matter more than brand names — a well-set budget plan outranks a mis-tuned premium one. WebJi® documents its defaults openly and adjusts them per ticket when workloads need it.

Common go-live errors

Common go-live errors. Do the change this heading names on one site first, then check it in a private browser window or in the mail client, depending on the topic. Change one setting at a time, and undo it if the result is wrong before you try the next. If you want the Jaipur desk to look with you, email support@webji.services — that mailbox is staffed 24/7 in Hindi and English. Phone +91 141 4941811 is business hours only.