best way to clone/transfer/copy a wp blog?

eternalfrost

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Im looking for suggestions on the best way to 100% copy a blog to a new domain. plugins, settings, themes, etc etc.
 
It's simple copy the whole root folder from your host domain copy and past them into the new host this for me seems to work fine for me. Settings plugins will all be there the only thing that won't be is the actual content buy layout will good luck pm if you still go questions.
 
Google search "transfer wordpress blog". There's a ton of resources. I can't reply to PM's yet (new account), but if you have questions, post them and I'll answer to the best of my ability.

-Tre
 
1. download all the domain folder via ftp
2. export all posts and pages. (just in case)
3. export MySQL db.

--

1. Setup domain and upload the folder. (and install wordpress obviously).
2. Override the DB file or use wp-db-backup plugin or so.
3. import and activate the missing plugins.

Good luck on a new host, no automation on important tasks. You're welcome!
 
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cPanel copy at host level. Backup just in case though old one should be available until you cancel old hosting account.
 
I dont really care about the posts themselves, but if they get transfered too thats totaly fine.

basically, i am a bit confused as to what exactly gets stored in the mysql file. and what is stored in the "FTP" files.

if you simply copy and paste using ftp, are the settings transfered over too?
 
This is technical things, although it could be easy for some people. If you don't understand this, I'm sorry but I guess it's better for you to outsource it.


basically, i am a bit confused as to what exactly gets stored in the mysql file. and what is stored in the "FTP" files.
 
there is a plugin I think "wptwin" or smething and it really make a good job
 
You do this :

1. get your wordpress files by FTP - those are the files no content.
2, backup the mysql database. this will give you a 1:1 copy of your blog
but remember it includes all settings all plugins activate/deactivated etc. all search terms , stats etc... so you will have to delete this later
3. upload files by ftp to new host - change wp-config.php to new setting
4. upload mysql to the new domain - you will have to change the domain values in phpmyadmin or otherwise it still points to your old stuff.
 
Im looking for suggestions on the best way to 100% copy a blog to a new domain. plugins, settings, themes, etc etc.

Login via FTP and download the wp-content folder (or just plugins and themes if you want). extract posts to an xml sheet and make a backup of the database.

Now install wp on a the new place, then upload plugins and themes, import the backup of the database and also import the xml file and its all set
 
you will have to change the domain values in phpmyadmin or otherwise it still points to your old stuff.

thanks for the replies, but i think i need to clarify myself a bit judging by some of them...
im trying to make a 'master' blog so that each time i start a new one i dont have to configure all the plugins and things over and over.

from hacking around ive found that the "ftp-able" files hold the plugins, themes, and wordpress itself, but none of the settings and things. in fact, copying the directory over through ftp was what i have been doing in the past.

so copying the whole thing makes a one-to-one copy, but the two blogs are linked; a change on one makes a change on the other.
pointing the wp-config.php to a new sql database wipes all the settings along with everything else...
poking around the sql database its pretty clear that all the settings i am trying to transfer are stored here.

so now i know what to do
-copy directory thru ftp
-copy sql database
-edit sql fields to point to new domain

so now just trying to be sure i edit only the fields i need to (and dont leave any out)
from what i see theres only wp_options.siteurl and wp_options.home ?

seems to work but would love a second opinion ;)
 
I'm using a Linux VPS for all my blogs, and I have one 'master' blog, so when I need to build new blog I simply run few commands and it's done. If you are in Linux environment doing such thing is easy, can be done in minute. :)
 
Yeah I think you need to export the database through your cpanel and then make a new database and import everything. Try calling your hosting provider. One time I transfered an entire blog and it was too big so I called them up emailed the file and they installed it for me. Yours should fit if you are not exporting the content.
 
Use Backup Buddy plugin, couldn't be simpler :) google for a nulled version you'll find it ;)


thanks, found a copy here on bhw.

the great thing about backupbuddy is it allows for host migration instead of just straight backup. so it will take care of editing the sql DBs to point to the new domain too :)

basically just have to ftp a single zip file to the new root and let 'er rip!
 
I know this is a little late but I have been researching this myself and it seems the best products to clone a wordpress site and keep all of the settings is to use FlipMe or WPtwin. BackupBuddy also works although it is more expensive.
 
  1. Transfer all WP files from one host to another via FTP
  2. Buckup the db:
    shell> mysqldump --opt db_name > backup-file.sql
  3. Extract in on another host:
    shell> mysql -e "source /path-to-backup/backup-file.sql" db_name

That's all! No plugins needed. Can anything be even easier?
 
yea i hacked around learning about sql some...

basically you just need to FTP the folder then export the sql database and import on new host. then just have to reconfigure the wp-config file and your good to go.
 
eternalfrost's is right, just make sure your mysql database access (db name, username, password) is the same as the old ones if you don't want to change it in wp-config.php
 
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