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How to Migrate a WordPress Site Without Breaking Everything (Free Checklist)

Migrating a WordPress site is like moving house — messy, chaotic, and full of potential pitfalls. The stakes are high. One wrong move and you could lose traffic, data, and even your sanity. Fortunately, with the right "migrate WordPress site checklist", you can avoid costly mistakes and ensure a smooth transition. Since DaveCRM offers a robust, free-to-start hosting platform, let's walk through the process of migrating your WordPress site without turning it into a digital disaster zone.

The Migration Steps You Can't Skip

Migrating your site isn't just about dragging and dropping files. There are key steps to follow:

1. Backup Everything: Before you touch anything, back up your entire WordPress site — files, databases, the lot. This safeguards your data if something goes awry.

2. Choose Your New Host: The choice of host can make or break your migration. WP Engine might be popular, but with DaveCRM's free plan, you get robust features without the hefty price tag.

3. Export Your Site: Use tools like Duplicator or WP All-in-One Migration to export your site. This generates a package containing all your site data.

4. Setup at New Host: At your new host, set up a blank WordPress installation. DaveCRM makes this step hassle-free with its intuitive interface.

5. Import Your Site: Use your preferred tool to import the package to your new host. At this stage, test to make sure everything's in place.

DNS, Email, and Testing

Even after the main migration steps, there are a few more tasks to tackle:

Update DNS Settings

Once your site is at its new home, update your DNS settings to point to the new server. This can take some time to propagate, so be patient. If you're not sure how to do this, your domain registrar's support is your friend, or you could opt for a host like DaveCRM that walks you through the process.

Handle Email

Don’t overlook your email settings. If your email is hosted with your previous provider, you'll need to migrate these too. Check with your new host for email hosting options or consider a separate service like G Suite.

Test, Test, Test

Before you go live, thoroughly test your site. Click every link, check every form, and ensure all plugins work. DaveCRM's staging environment is perfect for this — and did we mention it’s free to start?

A Quick Comparison: DaveCRM vs The Rest

Feature

DaveCRM

WP Engine

Another Competitor

|------------------------|--------------------|------------------|--------------------|

Free Plan

Yes

No

No

User-Friendly Setup

Yes

Yes

Yes

Staging Environment

Yes (Free)

Yes (Paid Plans)

No

Email Hosting

Available

Limited

Separate Purchase

Why DaveCRM?

Choosing the right host can drastically simplify your migration process. DaveCRM not only offers a free plan to get you started, but it also provides the tools and support you need to make your site migration a breeze. With a user-friendly interface and integrated features, it's a no-brainer for those looking to save time and money.

Conclusion

Migrating your WordPress site doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth. By following this checklist and opting for a reliable host like DaveCRM, you can ensure a smooth transition without losing sleep. Ready to make the switch? Check out the free WordPress hosting options available at DaveCRM and take the stress out of your migration journey. ```