#liveserver

🚨 Day 13 of 100 Days, 100 Innovations!

🚀🌟 BREAKING NEWS in the Dev World! 🌟🚀 🛠️ Atikin Verse just dropped a BOMB for web developers!

🎉 The Atikin Live Server extension is now LIVE on the Visual Studio Code Marketplace – and it’s changing the game for frontend developers worldwide!

💥 Instant Reloads. 💥 Multi-root Magic. 💥 Lightning-Fast Performance. 💥 Zero Setup. Infinite Speed.

🔧 Whether you're building a single page or juggling multiple roots, this beast handles it all like a pro.

🌍 From India to the World — Built with ❤️ by Atikin Verse.

🧠 Because modern developers need modern tools. Period.

Developing a WordPress site on localhost is a great way to build and test your website in a controlled environment. However, the real challenge arises when it's time to move the site from your local server to a live hosting environment. If not done correctly, you could encounter broken links, missing images, or even database errors.

In this blog, we'll guide you through a step-by-step process to successfully move your WordPress site from localhost to a live server.

Step 1: Choose the Right Hosting Provider

Your first step is to select a reliable web hosting provider that meets your website’s needs. Look for:

Server Speed: Fast servers for better performance.

Uptime Guarantee: At least 99.9% uptime to ensure availability.

Ease of Use: User-friendly dashboards and tools.

WordPress Support: Hosting optimized for WordPress websites.

Popular options include Bluehost, SiteGround, and WP Engine.

Step 2: Export Your Local WordPress Database

The database is the backbone of your WordPress site. To export it:

Open phpMyAdmin on your local server (e.g., XAMPP or WAMP).

Select your WordPress database.

Click on the Export tab and choose the Quick Export method.

Save the .sql file to your computer.

Step 3: Upload Your WordPress Files to the Live Server

To move your files:

Compress Your WordPress Folder: Zip your local WordPress installation folder.

Access Your Hosting Account: Use a file manager or an FTP client like FileZilla.

Upload the Files: Transfer the zipped folder to your hosting server's root directory (usually public_html).

Unzip the Folder: Extract the files once uploaded.

Step 4: Create a Database on the Live Server

Now, set up a new database on your live hosting server:

Log in to your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel).

Navigate to the MySQL Databases section.

Create a new database, database user, and password.

Assign the user to the database with full privileges.

Step 5: Import the Database to the Live Server

Open phpMyAdmin in your hosting control panel.

Select the new database you created.

Click the Import tab.

Choose the .sql file you exported from your localhost.

Click Go to import the database.

Step 6: Update the wp-config.php File

To connect your site to the live database:

Locate the wp-config.php file in your WordPress installation.

Open the file in a text editor.

Update the following lines: define('DB_NAME', 'your_live_database_name'); define('DB_USER', 'your_live_database_user'); define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_live_database_password'); define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'); // Keep this unless your host specifies otherwise.

Save the file and upload it to your server via FTP.

Step 7: Update URLs in the Database

Your localhost URLs need to be replaced with your live site URLs.

Use a tool like Search Replace DB or run SQL queries in phpMyAdmin.

In phpMyAdmin, run the following query: UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = 'http://your-live-site.com' WHERE option_name = 'siteurl'; UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = 'http://your-live-site.com' WHERE option_name = 'home';

Step 8: Test Your Live Website

Once everything is uploaded and configured, check your website by entering its URL in a browser. Test for:

Broken Links: Fix them using plugins like Broken Link Checker.

Missing Images: Ensure media files were uploaded correctly.

Functionality: Verify forms, buttons, and features work as expected.

Step 9: Set Up Permalinks

To ensure proper URL structure:

Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard on the live site.

Go to Settings > Permalinks.

Choose your preferred permalink structure and click Save Changes.

Step 10: Secure Your Live Website

After migrating, secure your site to prevent vulnerabilities:

Install an SSL Certificate: Most hosting providers offer free SSL certificates.

Update Plugins and Themes: Ensure everything is up to date.

Set Up Backups: Use plugins like UpdraftPlus for regular backups.

Conclusion

Moving your WordPress site from localhost to a live server may seem daunting, but by following these steps, you can ensure a smooth and error-free migration. A successful move allows you to showcase your site to the world, engage your audience, and achieve your goals.