Website Migration to the Client Hosting

OVERVIEW: What You’re Doing

You’re going to:

  1. Let your client set up their DreamHost account.
  2. Get access to upload the WordPress site you built.
  3. Move the website from your computer (or test site) to their hosting.
  4. Connect the domain name so visitors can see it online.

Step 1: Client Sets Up Hosting on DreamHost

You tell your client to do the following:

  1. Sign up for DreamHost
    • They go to dreamhost.com and buy a hosting plan (usually “Shared Unlimited” or “DreamPress” for WordPress).
  2. Add a domain
    • This is the website address (like example.com).
    • If they already own a domain, they can “Add Domain” in the DreamHost panel.
    • If not, they can buy one from DreamHost.
  3. Install WordPress (One-Click Install)
    • In the DreamHost panel, go to WordPress > One-Click Installs.
    • Choose the domain.
    • DreamHost will automatically install WordPress.

🟢 Once this is done, your client’s hosting is ready, and you can start moving the website you built.

Step 2: Get Access So You Can Upload the Site

You now need access to their DreamHost so you can upload files.

You have 2 options:

Option A: Ask for DreamHost Panel Access

  • Ask your client to temporarily share their DreamHost login.
  • Or have them add you as a secondary user (if they’re comfortable).

OR

Option B: Ask for FTP + Database Access (More Secure)

  • Ask your client for:
    • FTP/SFTP credentials (to upload files).
    • phpMyAdmin login (to import the database).
  • They can find this info in:
    • Web Hosting > Manage Websites
    • MySQL Databases

Step 3: Move Your Website (Migrate It)

Now you’re going to move your WordPress site from your local/staging site to the client’s DreamHost.

Option 1: Manual Migration (More Control)

Here’s what you do:

  1. Export the database from your current WordPress site.
    • Use a tool like phpMyAdmin or a plugin like WP Migrate DB.
  1. Upload WordPress files to DreamHost using FTP (like FileZilla).
    • These are the files from your local or dev WordPress site.
  2. Import the database into DreamHost using their phpMyAdmin tool.
  1. Edit wp-config.php file
    • Update with the new database name, user, and password from DreamHost.
  2. Run a “Search and Replace” tool
    • This fixes any old links (like localhost) and replaces them with the client’s real domain name (like example.com).
    • Use a plugin like Better Search Replace or a tool like WP-CLI if you’re comfortable with the command line.

Option 2: Plugin Migration (Easier for Beginners)

This is the easiest method. You’ll use a plugin to move the site.

Here’s what to do:

  1. On your current (local/dev) WordPress site:
    • Install a plugin like All-in-One WP Migration.
  1. Use it to Export the site as a file.
  1. On the client’s DreamHost WordPress site:
    • Install the same plugin.
    • Use it to Import the file you exported.

That’s it! The plugin copies all files, settings, and content.

Step 4: Connect the Domain (DNS Setup)

If the domain name isn’t showing the website yet, you may need to update DNS settings.

If the domain is registered elsewhere:

  • Log in to wherever it’s registered (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
  • Point the domain to DreamHost nameservers: CopyEditns1.dreamhost.com ns2.dreamhost.com ns3.dreamhost.com

Or just update the A Record:

  • Point it to the IP address given by DreamHost for the client’s hosting.
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