How to migrate WordPress to Cloud2Y VPS

Quick answer: The easiest way is to request free migration — open a ticket and the Cloud2Y team moves your site. Doing it yourself takes four steps: back up files and database at the old host, copy them to the VPS, import, then switch DNS after testing.

Overview

A WordPress site is just two things: the files (core, themes, plugins, uploads) and the MySQL database. Move both, adjust wp-config.php, and the site runs anywhere. This article covers the manual path from any host to a Cloud2Y VPS; the general process is described in how Cloud2Y migration works.

Before you start

• A prepared VPS with your web stack or control panel installed (install guide).
• Access to the old host (SSH, or at least cPanel/FTP + phpMyAdmin).
• Lowered DNS TTL (300–600 s) a few hours before the switch, to make cutover fast.

Step-by-step guide

1. Export the database at the old host:

   mysqldump -u OLD_USER -p OLD_DB | gzip > site-db.sql.gz

2. Copy files and the dump to the VPS (from the old server, or via your PC):

   rsync -avz --progress /path/to/wordpress/ user@YOUR_VPS_IP:/var/www/example.com/

3. Import the database on the VPS:

   gunzip < site-db.sql.gz | mariadb -u wp_user -p wp_site

4. Update wp-config.php with the new DB name/user/password; fix ownership: sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/example.com.
5. Test before DNS: point the domain to the VPS IP in your local hosts file and click through the site, including wp-admin.
6. Switch the domain’s A record to the VPS IP, keep the old host running for a day or two, then re-issue SSL on the VPS.

Common issues

• Mixed old/new content after cutover: DNS still propagating — check with dig +short example.com and keep both hosts up briefly.
• Broken permalinks: missing Nginx try_files rule or, on Apache, missing .htaccess — re-save Settings → Permalinks.
• HTTPS redirect loops: old host forced SSL through a proxy — make sure the VPS has its own certificate before forcing HTTPS.

When to contact support

If you’d rather not do any of this, open a ticket and request migration — provide old-host access details and a preferred cutover window, and the team handles the move.

Frequently asked questions

Does Cloud2Y offer free WordPress migration?

Yes — open a support ticket with your current hosting access details and the team will move your WordPress site to your Cloud2Y VPS; scope and scheduling are confirmed in the ticket.

Will my site go down during migration?

Done correctly, downtime is near zero: the site keeps running at the old host while a copy is prepared on the VPS, and only the final DNS switch changes where visitors land.

What exactly needs to be moved for WordPress?

Two things: the files (WordPress core, themes, plugins and the uploads folder) and the MySQL/MariaDB database, plus matching credentials in wp-config.php on the new server.

Related articles

• How to move WordPress from shared hosting to a VPS
• How to migrate multiple WordPress sites
• How the Cloud2Y migration process works
• How to point a domain to Cloud2Y VPS

Ready to get started? Order a WordPress VPS at Cloud2Y →