How to Move Your WordPress Site from XAMPP to Live Hosting

I made a wordpress website with xampp how do i take it and put it on a hosting website?

Moving your WordPress website from a local XAMPP environment to a live hosting server involves several steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Prepare Your Local WordPress Site

1. Backup Your Files:

   • Navigate to your XAMPP installation directory (usually C:\xampp\htdocs\your-site-name).
   • Copy all the files and folders from your WordPress directory to a temporary location on your computer.

2. Export Your Database:

   • Open phpMyAdmin by going to http://localhost/phpmyadmin.
   • Select your WordPress database from the left sidebar.
   • Click on the "Export" tab.
   • Choose the "Quick" export method and the format as "SQL".
   • Click "Go" to download the database file to your computer.

Step 2: Choose a Hosting Provider

1. Select a Hosting Provider: Choose a hosting provider that supports WordPress (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround, HostGator, etc.).
2. Purchase a Hosting Plan: Sign up for a hosting plan that suits your needs.

Step 3: Upload Your Files to the Hosting Server

1. Access Your Hosting Account: Log in to your hosting account.
2. Use FTP or File Manager:
   • You can use an FTP client (like FileZilla) or the File Manager provided by your hosting service.
   • If using FTP, connect to your server using the FTP credentials provided by your hosting provider.
   • Upload all the files you copied from your local WordPress directory to the public_html (or equivalent) directory on your hosting server.

Step 4: Create a New Database on Your Hosting Server

1. Create a Database:
   • In your hosting control panel, find the MySQL Databases section.
   • Create a new database and a new database user. Make sure to grant the user all privileges to the database.
   • Note down the database name, username, and password.

Step 5: Import Your Database

1. Access phpMyAdmin on Your Hosting Server:
   • Most hosting providers offer phpMyAdmin in their control panel.
   • Open phpMyAdmin and select the new database you created.
2. Import the Database:
   • Click on the "Import" tab.
   • Choose the SQL file you exported from your local phpMyAdmin.
   • Click "Go" to import the database.

Step 6: Update the wp-config.php File

1. Edit wp-config.php:
   • In the files you uploaded to your hosting server, locate the wp-config.php file.
   • Update the following lines with your new database information:

     define('DB_NAME', 'your_database_name');
     define('DB_USER', 'your_database_user');
     define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_database_password');
     define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'); // Usually 'localhost', but check with your host
     

Step 7: Update Site URL (if necessary)

1. Update Site URL:
   • If your local site URL was different from your live site URL, you may need to update the site URL in the database.
   • In phpMyAdmin, go to the wp_options table.
   • Update the siteurl and home fields to reflect your new domain name.

Step 8: Test Your Website

1. Visit Your Domain: Open your web browser and go to your domain name to see if your site is working correctly.
2. Check for Issues: Make sure all links, images, and functionalities are working as expected.

Step 9: Final Touches

1. Permalinks: Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard (e.g., http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin), go to Settings > Permalinks, and re-save your permalink settings to ensure they work correctly.
2. Install SSL: If your hosting provider offers SSL, make sure to enable it for security.

Conclusion

You have successfully moved your WordPress site from a local XAMPP environment to a live hosting server. If you encounter any issues, check your hosting provider's documentation or support for assistance.