How to Manually Migrate Your Website Using cPanel

At Vivint Host, we provide a powerful cloud hosting environment with SSD-only servers and 24/7 expert support. If you're moving from another host and prefer a manual method, this guide will walk you through each step of migrating your website and database using cPanel.

Part 1: Transferring Your Website Files

Step 1: Locate Your Website Directory on Your Previous Host

Start by logging into your old host's cPanel. Head to File Manager under the "Files" section.

You’ll be prompted to choose a starting directory. Most websites are stored under the public_html folder. Navigate through this folder to locate the specific directory for your site. For instance, if your website resides in a subfolder like a blog, double-click to open it.

Step 2: Compress and Download the Site Files

Downloading files individually isn’t efficient. Instead:

• Select all files using the Select All checkbox at the top.
• Right-click anywhere in the selected area and choose Compress.
• Choose the Zip Archive option and confirm.

Once the zip file is created, right-click on it and select Download.

You now have a full backup of your site files on your computer.

Step 3: Create a New Directory in Vivint Host’s cPanel

Log into your Vivint Host cPanel account.

• Go to File Manager.
• Navigate to the public_html directory.
• Click the + Folder button.
• Enter a folder name (e.g., mysite) and ensure it's located inside public_html.

This creates the destination directory for your migrated files.

Step 4: Upload and Extract the Compressed File

• Open the newly created folder.
• Click Upload from the top menu.
• Use the Select File button to upload the zip archive from your computer.
• Once uploaded, click Reload to see the file.
• Right-click on the zip file and choose Extract.
• Confirm the location and proceed with the extraction.

After extraction, your website files will appear inside the folder.

Part 2: Migrating Your Website Database

Most websites-especially WordPress-rely heavily on a database. Let’s move yours.

Step 1: Identify the Current Database Name

If your site uses WordPress, open the root directory and locate wp-config.php. Inside, search for the line:

define('DB_NAME', 'your_database_name');

Note the database name for export.

Step 2: Open phpMyAdmin to Access Your Database

Return to your old host’s cPanel and click on phpMyAdmin under the "Databases" section. Once loaded:

1. Look to the left panel.
2. Click the database name noted earlier.

Step 3: Export the Database

1. With the database selected, click the Export tab.
2. Leave the default Quick and SQL options as is.
3. Click Go.

Your database will download as a .sql file.

Step 4: Create a New Database in Vivint Host cPanel

1. Log into your Vivint Host cPanel.
2. Go to MySQL Databases.
3. Enter a unique name for your new database and click Create Database.

Note the full database name, including the prefix (e.g., vivintho_mysite).

Step 5: Import the Database

1. Go to phpMyAdmin from the Vivint Host cPanel.
2. Click on the newly created database from the left panel.
3. Select the Import tab.
4. Choose the .sql file you downloaded earlier.
5. Click Go to begin the import.

Once complete, you'll receive a success message.

Step 6: Connect the New Database

Return to your site files in File Manager, and open the wp-config.php file.

Update the DB_NAME, DB_USER, and DB_PASSWORD fields to match the new credentials created in Vivint Host.

For other CMS platforms, consult the respective configuration file to make similar changes.

Final Notes

By following this guide, you’ve manually migrated your website and database to Vivint Host. If anything feels confusing, our expert support team is available 24/7 to assist you. Whether you're using WordPress or another CMS, you're now powered by Vivint Host’s fast and secure cloud hosting environment.