WordPress Migration Guide: From Old Host to RackNerd

This guide outlines the professional process of moving two WordPress installations to RackNerd. By using a “Backdoor Subdomain,” we ensure the old site remains accessible for the migration “pull” even after the primary domain is pointed to the new server.

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Phase 1: Preparation

1. Backup Everything: Perform a full backup of your files and database on the old host.
2. Gather Credentials:
   • Old Host: cPanel login or FTP/IP details.
   • New Host (RackNerd): Shared IP address, cPanel username, and password (found in your “Welcome Email”).
3. Network Solutions Access: Ensure you have login access to your domain registrar to manage DNS/Nameservers. Setup the RackNerd nameservers to be used for the domain

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Phase 2: Setting Up RackNerd (Destination)

1. Add the Domains:
   • Login to RackNerd cPanel.
   • Go to Domains > Addon Domains.
   • Add your domain.
2. Install Fresh WordPress (Optional but helpful): Use the Softaculous installer in RackNerd to install a blank WordPress site on both domains. This ensures the database and folders are ready for Migrate Guru to overwrite.

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Phase 3: The “Backdoor Subdomain” (Source Setup)

This step allows you to access the old site dashboard while the main domain is live on RackNerd.

1. Create the DNS Record:
   • In your active DNS manager (Network Solutions or RackNerd, wherever the nameservers point), add an A Record.
   • Host: old
   • Points to: The IP Address of your OLD host (you can take it from the cPanel interface).
2. Configure Old cPanel:
   • On the old host, create the subdomain old.yourdomain.com.
   • Crucial: Set the Document Root to point to the existing site folder (usually /public_html/).
3. Override WordPress URL:
   • On the old host, open wp-config.php via File Manager.
   • Add these lines at the very top (after <?php):PHPdefine( 'WP_HOME', 'http://old.yourdomain.com' ); define( 'WP_SITEURL', 'http://old.yourdomain.com' );
   • Troubleshooting: If it still redirects, rename your .htaccess file to .htaccess_bak on the old host.

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Phase 4: Migration with Migrate Guru

1. Access Old Site: Log in to http://old.yourdomain.com/wp-admin.
2. Install Migrate Guru: Search for and activate the “Migrate Guru” plugin.
3. Configure Migration:
   • Click that it is installed on both env copy key from the new site on the old one.
4. Initiate: Click “Migrate.” The plugin will clone the site to RackNerd in the background.

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Phase 5: Testing & Going Live

1. Verify that everything functions correctly
2. SSL Installation: In RackNerd cPanel, go to SSL/TLS Status and run “AutoSSL” to ensure your site has a valid HTTPS certificate.

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Phase 6: Post-Migration Cleanup

1. New Server Config: On the RackNerd server, open wp-config.php and ensure those “old” subdomain lines are not present. If they were copied over, delete them.
2. Permalinks: In the new WordPress dashboard, go to Settings > Permalinks and click “Save Changes” twice to refresh the URL structure.
3. Decommission: Once you are 100% sure the migration is successful, you can cancel your old hosting account.