Building a WordPress website on your local computer is a great way to develop and test a website before publishing it online. You can experiment with themes, plugins, pages, and settings without affecting a live website.

But what happens when your local WordPress website is ready to go online?

You need to migrate your local WordPress website to a live hosting server.

Fortunately, you don’t have to manually copy WordPress files, export databases, and edit configuration files. A WordPress migration plugin can automate much of the process.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to migrate a local WordPress website to live hosting using a migration plugin, step by step.

The method works with popular local WordPress environments such as LocalWP, XAMPP, Studio, and DevKinsta, although the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your local development environment and hosting provider.

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What Is WordPress Website Migration?

WordPress migration is the process of moving an existing WordPress website from one server or environment to another.

In this case, we are moving a website from:

Your local computer → Live hosting server

A WordPress website consists mainly of two components:

• WordPress website files
• WordPress database

A migration plugin packages these components into a backup or migration package and then restores them on your live hosting server.

The plugin can also handle many of the technical details involved in moving the website.

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Why Use a Migration Plugin?

There are two common ways to migrate a local WordPress website:

1. Manual migration
2. Migration plugin

Manual migration usually involves:

• Copying WordPress files
• Exporting the database
• Creating a new database
• Importing the database
• Editing wp-config.php
• Updating website URLs
• Checking serialized database data

This approach gives you more control, but it can be intimidating if you are new to WordPress.

A migration plugin simplifies the process.

Depending on the plugin you choose, you can usually:

• Create a complete backup of your local website
• Package WordPress files and database
• Download the backup
• Install WordPress on your live server
• Import the backup
• Restore your website
• Update the website URL

For beginners, this can be considerably easier than performing the entire migration manually.

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What You Need Before Starting

Before migrating your local WordPress website, prepare the following:

1. A completed local WordPress website

Your website can be built using:

• LocalWP
• XAMPP
• Studio
• DevKinsta
• Another local WordPress environment

2. A live hosting account

You need a hosting account where your website will eventually be published.If you don’t have one yet, you can purchase one on Hostinger.

3. A domain name

For example:

https://www.example.com

4. A WordPress migration plugin

There are several migration plugins available.

For this tutorial, we’ll use All-in-One WP Migration as an example because its basic workflow is relatively straightforward for beginners.

The same general concept applies to other migration plugins, although the interface and limitations may differ.

5. A backup

Even when using a migration plugin, always create a backup before starting the migration.

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Step 1: Prepare Your Local WordPress Website

Before creating your migration package, make sure your local website is working correctly.

Open your local WordPress website and check:

• Homepage
• Pages
• Blog posts
• Images
• Navigation menus
• Contact forms
• Plugins
• Theme
• Widgets
• Site settings

Fix any problems before migration.

It is much easier to troubleshoot your website while it is still running locally.

Clean Up Your Website

You may also want to remove unnecessary:

• Plugins
• Themes
• Draft posts
• Test pages
• Unused media files
• Temporary content

This can reduce the size of your migration package and make the migration process faster.

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Step 2: Install a WordPress Migration Plugin

Log in to your local WordPress Dashboard.

Go to:

Plugins → Add New Plugin

Search for:

All-in-One WP Migration

Install the plugin and activate it.

After activation, a new migration option should appear in your WordPress Dashboard.

The exact menu names can change as plugins are updated, so don’t worry if the interface looks slightly different from the screenshots in this guide.

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Step 3: Create a Backup of Your Local Website

Before migrating, create a separate backup of your local website.

You can use your local development application’s backup features if available, or create a backup using your migration plugin.

This gives you a recovery point if something goes wrong.

For example, if you are using LocalWP, you can also create a backup of the local site before making major changes.

Never rely on a single copy of your website during a migration.

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Step 4: Export Your Local WordPress Website

Now it’s time to create the migration package.

From your WordPress Dashboard, open the migration plugin.

With All-in-One WP Migration, the general workflow is:

All-in-One WP Migration → Export

You can usually choose where to export the website.

For a simple migration, you can export the website as a file and download the resulting package to your computer.

The package contains the information needed to recreate your WordPress website on the live server.

Depending on your website size and plugin version, the export process may take several minutes.

When the export is complete, download the migration file.

Keep it somewhere safe.

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Step 5: Prepare Your Live Hosting Account

Now you need to prepare your live hosting environment.

Log in to your hosting account and make sure:

• Your hosting plan is active.
• Your domain is connected or added.
• You have access to your hosting control panel.
• You can install WordPress.
• Your server meets the requirements of your WordPress website.

For example, if you are using Hostinger, you can create a WordPress installation from its hosting control panel.

You don’t need to recreate every page, post, plugin, and theme manually.

The migration plugin will restore those components from your migration package.

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Step 6: Install a Fresh WordPress Website on Your Hosting

For many plugin-based migration methods, the easiest approach is to start with a fresh WordPress installation on your hosting account.

Install WordPress on your domain.

For example:

https://www.example.com

Log in to the new WordPress Dashboard:

https://www.example.com/wp-admin

At this point, the live website may contain a basic WordPress installation.

That’s okay.

Your existing local website will replace this installation during the migration.

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Step 7: Install the Same Migration Plugin on Your Live Website

Now install the migration plugin on your new live WordPress installation.

Go to:

Plugins → Add New Plugin

Search for the same migration plugin All-in-One WP Migration you used on your local website.

Install and activate it.

Using the same plugin on both websites makes the migration process easier.

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Step 8: Import Your Local WordPress Website

Now comes the most important part.

Open the migration plugin on your live WordPress website.

For All-in-One WP Migration, the general process is:

Import → Import From → File

Select the migration package that you downloaded from your local website.

The plugin will upload the file to your hosting server.

The upload time depends on:

• Website size
• Internet speed
• Hosting resources
• Server upload limits
• Migration plugin limitations

A small website may upload relatively quickly, while a large website can take considerably longer.

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Step 9: Check the Migration Package Size Limit

One of the most common problems beginners encounter is the maximum upload size.

For example, your migration package might be several hundred megabytes, while your hosting environment or plugin configuration allows a smaller upload.

If your migration file is larger than the allowed limit, the import may fail.

You may see an error similar to:

File exceeds the maximum upload size.

The exact message depends on your server and plugin.

How to Solve the Problem

Depending on the plugin and hosting environment, possible solutions include:

• Increasing the PHP upload limit
• Increasing the server execution limits
• Using a migration plugin extension
• Using a different migration method
• Reducing the size of the website
• Contacting your hosting provider

Don’t assume that every migration plugin supports unlimited website sizes.

Always check the current plugin documentation and the limits of your hosting plan before starting a large migration.

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Step 10: Confirm the Website Replacement

When you import a complete migration package, the plugin may warn you that the existing WordPress website will be replaced.

This is expected.

The fresh WordPress installation on your live server is essentially a temporary environment that the migration package will overwrite with your local website.

Before continuing, make sure you are working on the correct website.

If you already have an important live website at the destination, stop and create a backup first.

Then confirm the migration.

The plugin will begin restoring:

• WordPress files
• Themes
• Plugins
• Media
• Pages
• Posts
• Database
• Website settings

Depending on the website size, this can take some time.

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Step 11: Log In to the Migrated Website

After the migration finishes, the live website may reload or redirect you to the login page.

Important:

Your local website’s WordPress users and passwords may now be the ones used by the migrated website.

In other words, don’t be surprised if the username and password you created on the fresh hosting installation no longer work.

Try logging in using the credentials from your local WordPress website.

For example:

https://www.example.com/wp-admin

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Step 12: Check Your Website URL

After migration, make sure WordPress is using your live domain.

Go to:

Settings → General

Check:

WordPress Address (URL)

and:

Site Address (URL)

They should use your live domain, for example:

https://www.example.com

instead of your local address:

http://mysite.local

If the migration plugin handles the URL replacement automatically, these values may already be correct.

Nevertheless, you should check them.

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Step 13: Check Internal Links and Images

Now browse through your website.

Check:

• Homepage
• About page
• Contact page
• Blog posts
• Categories
• Navigation menus
• Images
• Buttons
• Internal links

Pay particular attention to links that may still point to your local website.

For example:

http://mysite.local/about

should become something like:

https://www.example.com/about

A migration plugin may perform URL replacement automatically, but you should still test your website rather than assuming everything is perfect.

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Step 14: Refresh WordPress Permalinks

If some pages return a 404 Not Found error after migration, try refreshing your WordPress permalinks.

Go to:

WordPress Dashboard → Settings → Permalinks

You don’t necessarily need to change the permalink structure.

Simply click:

Save Changes

Then test your pages again.

This forces WordPress to regenerate its rewrite rules.

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Step 15: Enable HTTPS

Your live WordPress website should use HTTPS.

Make sure your hosting provider has an SSL certificate configured for your domain.

Your website should load as:

https://www.example.com

rather than:

http://www.example.com

After enabling HTTPS, check your website for mixed-content problems.

For example, your page may use HTTPS while an image or stylesheet is still being loaded through HTTP.

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Step 16: Point Your Domain to Your Hosting Server

If your domain isn’t already connected to your hosting account, you need to update its DNS settings.

Your hosting provider will tell you which DNS records or nameservers to use.

Depending on your setup, you may need to:

• Change nameservers
• Update the domain’s A record
• Configure other DNS records

DNS changes can take some time to propagate.

If your old website is already online, don’t change the DNS until you have tested the new website as much as possible.

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Step 17: Test the Migrated Website

Don’t consider the migration finished immediately after the import completes.

Perform a complete website test.

Test the Homepage

Make sure the homepage displays correctly.

Test Your Pages

Open several pages and make sure they load correctly.

Test Blog Posts

Open several posts.

Check text, images, categories, tags, and formatting.

Test Images

Make sure images and other media files load correctly.

Test Navigation

Click your main menu and internal links.

Test Contact Forms

Submit a test form.

Make sure emails are being delivered correctly.

Test Plugins

Open your important plugins and check whether they are functioning correctly.

Test Your Theme

Check your desktop and mobile layouts.

Test the WordPress Dashboard

Log in to the WordPress admin area and make sure you can manage your website normally.

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Common Problems When Migrating WordPress With a Plugin

Although migration plugins simplify the process, problems can still occur.

1. Migration File Is Too Large

This is one of the most common problems.

If the migration package is larger than the maximum upload limit, the import will fail.

Check:

• PHP upload limit
• PHP post limit
• Server execution limits
• Hosting plan limitations
• Migration plugin limitations

You may need to use a larger-upload extension or another migration method.

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2. Website Still Uses the Local URL

If your website contains URLs such as:

http://localhost/mysite

or:

http://mysite.local

you may need to perform a proper search-and-replace operation.

Be careful when replacing URLs directly in a WordPress database because some WordPress data is stored in serialized format.

A WordPress-compatible search-and-replace tool is preferable to simply replacing text inside an SQL file.

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3. Images Are Missing

If images are missing after migration, check whether the media library and:

wp-content/uploads

were successfully transferred.

Also check whether image URLs still point to the local website.

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4. Pages Return 404 Errors

Go to:

Settings → Permalinks → Save Changes

Then test the pages again.

If the problem continues, check your server configuration and .htaccess file.

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5. Plugins Stop Working

A plugin may behave differently on your live server because of:

• Different PHP versions
• Missing PHP extensions
• Server configuration
• File permissions
• Plugin conflicts

Make sure your live hosting environment meets the requirements of your WordPress installation and plugins.

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6. Website Displays a White Screen

A white screen can be caused by:

• Plugin conflicts
• Theme problems
• PHP compatibility issues
• Memory limitations

If you can access the WordPress Dashboard, temporarily deactivate recently installed or problematic plugins.

If you cannot access the Dashboard, you may need to troubleshoot through your hosting control panel or file manager.

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Migration Plugin vs. Manual WordPress Migration

Which method should you use?

Feature	Migration Plugin	Manual Migration
Difficulty	Easier	More technical
Files	Usually handled automatically	Transfer manually
Database	Usually handled automatically	Export/import manually
URL replacement	Often automated	Usually manual
Beginner-friendly	Yes	Less suitable
Control	Less	More
Large websites	Depends on plugin/hosting limits	More flexible
Technical knowledge	Basic	Intermediate

For beginners, a migration plugin can be a convenient way to move a relatively small WordPress website from a local computer to live hosting.

For developers and advanced users, manual migration provides more control over the files, database, and server configuration.

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Best Practices for WordPress Migration

Here are a few recommendations that can make your migration safer.

Always Create a Backup

Don’t start a migration without a backup.

Keep at least one copy of your local website and migration package.

Test Before Changing DNS

If possible, test the website on the new hosting environment before pointing your domain to it.

Keep the Local Website

Don’t delete your local website immediately after migration.

Keep it until you’re confident that the live website works correctly.

Check Your PHP Version

Your local and live environments may use different PHP versions.

Make sure your theme and plugins support the PHP version on your hosting server.

Check Your SSL Certificate

Make sure HTTPS is working before sharing the website publicly.

Test Forms and Email

Website owners often remember to check pages and images but forget contact forms.

Always submit a test form after migration.

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WordPress Local-to-Live Migration Checklist

Use this checklist before considering your migration complete:

• Finish your local WordPress website
• Remove unnecessary plugins and files
• Create a backup
• Install a migration plugin
• Export the local website
• Download the migration package
• Set up your live hosting account
• Connect your domain
• Install fresh WordPress
• Install the same migration plugin
• Import the migration package
• Log in to the migrated website
• Check the website URL
• Check pages and posts
• Check images
• Check menus and internal links
• Refresh permalinks
• Enable SSL/HTTPS
• Test contact forms
• Test plugins and theme
• Test the mobile version
• Point your domain to the new server
• Create a fresh backup of the live website

Conclusion

Migrating a local WordPress website to live hosting doesn’t have to be a complicated process.

Using a WordPress migration plugin allows you to package your local website and transfer it to a live server without manually moving every WordPress file and database table.

The basic process is:

Build locally → Back up → Export → Install WordPress on hosting → Install migration plugin → Import → Check URLs → Test → Connect domain

Whether you built your website with LocalWP, XAMPP, Studio, or DevKinsta, the general workflow is similar.

The most important thing is to back up your website before migration and thoroughly test the live website afterward.

Once everything works correctly, your locally developed WordPress website is ready to become a live website that visitors can access from anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I migrate a local WordPress website using a plugin?

Yes. A WordPress migration plugin can package your website files and database and restore them on a live hosting server. The exact process depends on the migration plugin you choose.

What is the easiest way to migrate WordPress from localhost to hosting?

For many beginners, using a WordPress migration plugin is easier than manually transferring files and databases. The plugin handles much of the migration process for you.

Can I migrate a LocalWP website to live hosting with a plugin?

Yes. A LocalWP website can be exported and migrated to a live hosting server using a compatible WordPress migration plugin. The exact process depends on the plugin and its supported import/export methods.

Do I need to install WordPress on the live server first?

For many plugin-based migration workflows, installing a fresh WordPress website on the destination hosting account first is the simplest approach. You can then install the migration plugin and import your local website.

Will my WordPress plugins and themes be migrated?

A complete WordPress migration package normally includes your website’s themes, plugins, media files, database, and other WordPress content. However, you should always verify the contents and limitations of the specific migration plugin you use.

Will my WordPress admin password remain the same?

When a complete website is restored, the user accounts and settings from your local website are generally restored as part of the database. Therefore, you may need to use the login credentials from your local WordPress installation.

What should I do if my migration file is too large?

Check the upload limits imposed by your hosting server and migration plugin. Depending on the situation, you may need to increase server limits, use a supported migration extension, reduce the website size, or choose another migration method.

Should I delete my local WordPress website after migration?

No. It is a good idea to keep your local website until you have confirmed that the live website is working correctly. Your local copy can also serve as a development and testing environment in the future.