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Migrating a WordPress site to Stanford Domains

If you have an existing WordPress site on AFS (or another hosting service) you can migrate your site to Stanford Domains.

Getting Started

It's a good idea to update your site to the latest version of WordPress before migrating it. You should also make a backup copy of your current site.

Step 1: Setup your Stanford Domains account and install WordPress

  1. Go to domains.stanford.edu.
  2. Click Get Started and log in with your SUNet ID and password. 
  3. Go to your Dashboard and choose a free subdomain name, e.g., [subdomain].su.domains.
  4. Create a new WordPress site by clicking on the WordPress icon.
  5. Visit your new site to ensure the installation was successful.

NOTE: For issues with not having enough memory, please review the section below: Adjust PHP parameters (upload size). 

Step 2: Install and Activate the All-In-One WP Migration Plugin

  1. Login to your current WordPress site.
  2. In the left-hand menu, click Plugins.
  3. Click the Add New button.
  4. In the search box, type All-in-One WP Migration.
  5. Select the plugin and click Install Now.
  6. Click Activate.

Step 3: Export your current site

  1. Log in to your current WordPress site.
  2. In the left-hand menu, click All-in-One Migration and select Export a File. Be sure to note the file name.
  3. Identify the location of the exported file on your desktop/laptop and note the size of the file.
  4. You will see the progress of the export process. When it has completed, click Close.

Step 4: Import your old site to Stanford Domains

  1. Log in to your WordPress site on Stanford Domains.
  2. In the left-hand menu, click All-in-One Migration and select Import.
  3.  Browse and select the file you exported from AFS (or another web host). You will see a progress bar as the file is importing.
  4. Click Finish.

If you get an error about not having enough memory, you will need to adjust the PHP parameters (upload size).

Adjust PHP parameters 

  1. Log in to your Stanford Domains dashboard.
  2. Under Software, click MultiPHP INI Editor.
  3.  Under Configure PHP INI basic settings, in the Select a location dropdown box, select the domain you want to change.
  4. ​Adjust the size in the upload_max_filesize box and click Apply to commit the change.

Final Checklist

  • Is the site URL secure HTTPS? If it isn’t, you will need to change it in the database. Read Changing the site URL for more information.
  • Click through the site’s top nav pages to make sure there are no server errors or blank pages. 

Need More Help?

More information about the All-in-One Plugin

Submit a Help request

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