Some designers develop websites on a local server because it allows the development process to move quicker. However, once the website is complete it must be moved to the live site.
Prep
- Ensure you have web hosting that supports WordPress
- Have knowledge of FTP
Method One
Step 1: Export Using WordPress
The first thing you have to do is go into your WordPress dashboard and export all of the content from your website. WordPress will download a file, which contains all of the information about your website.
Step 2: Import to the Live Site
Go to your live WordPress site and import the file you just exported. You will have to adjust some things but this one of the quickest ways to get your site live.
Method Two
Step 1: Export Your Local WordPress Database
You will use phpMyAdmin to export your local WordPress database. You can do this by going to http://localhost/phpmyadmin. Once there you want to select “Export” from the top menu bar. Next go to “Export Method” and select custom. You want to select all of the tables and scroll down to the bottom of the page and click “Go”. Your database will then download to your computer.
Step 2: Upload the Files to the Live Website
Go to your FTP client and connect to your website. When there upload the files into the correct directory.
Step 3: Create an MySQL Database on the Live Site
While the FTP client uploads your files, you can start importing your files to the live server. Many WordPress hosting providers have a cPanel available so you can manage your hosting. We are using this platform in this tutorial. Log into your cPanel dashboard and click “MySQL Databases”.
You will be prompted to name your database.
Once the database has been created, scroll to the MySQL users section and create or add an existing user. Once the user has been added, cPanel will allow you to set their privileges.
Step 4: Import the Databases to the Live Site
Go to your cPanel dashboard and click “phpMyAdmin”. This will take you back to the database you created earlier. You want to click “Import” in the top menu and select the file you saved during a prior step. Select “Go” at the bottom of the page to import your WordPress database.
Step 5: Update the Site URL
Before you start setting up your live WordPress site, you have to change the URL from phpMyAdmin. You want to look for the imported wp_options table. Select “Browse” and open the page that shows the different fields within the table.
You want to go to “options_name” and look for siteurl. Next, you click “edit” and enter your websites url.
Step 6: Set Up Your Live Site
All of your content has been uploaded yet it still has to be configured. Your site is showing and error now so you have to go back to FTP client and edit the wp-config.php file. Save the file and upload,it back to your server. Now your website is live.