I've overseen more WordPress migrations than I care to count. Some went smoothly. Many didn't. The difference usually comes down to three things: the hosting company's migration process, your site's complexity, and whether anyone bothered to tell you the truth about what could go wrong.
Let me cut through the marketing BS and tell you what actually happens when you migrate a WordPress site.
Why Every Host Claims "Free Migration" But Few Deliver
Every hosting company screams about free migrations in their marketing. It's become table stakes. But here's what they don't tell you:
Most "free migrations" cover one basic WordPress site with standard plugins. Got a multisite network? That's extra. Custom database configurations? Extra. E-commerce with thousands of products? Definitely extra. SSL certificates that need reconfiguration? You guessed it.
I've watched clients get quoted $500+ for migrations that were supposedly "free." The fine print always wins.
The Three Types of WordPress Migrations
Not all migrations are created equal. Understanding which type you need determines your success rate and sanity level.
Simple Site Migration
Basic WordPress site, standard theme, common plugins, single database. These usually work with automated tools. Hosts like WP Engine and Kinsta nail these 90% of the time.
But even "simple" sites can break if:
- Your old host used weird PHP configurations
- File permissions get scrambled
- The new host's server environment differs significantly
- DNS propagation takes longer than expected
Complex Site Migration
Multiple domains, custom post types, membership systems, or integrated APIs. This is where most hosting companies' automated tools fail spectacularly.
We migrated a client's learning management system last year. Three different hosts claimed it would be "no problem." All three broke critical functionality. The fourth host (SiteGround, for what it's worth) assigned a human who actually understood what they were looking at.
Agency-Scale Migrations
Moving 50+ sites simultaneously or managing ongoing migrations for clients. This requires specialized WordPress hosting with dedicated migration teams, not automated scripts.
Only a handful of hosts can handle this properly. Most will tell you they can, then assign a junior tech who's never seen a multisite installation.
What Actually Breaks During Migrations
After thousands of migrations, here are the most common failure points:
Database Issues
WordPress stores URLs in the database. Change domains or move from HTTP to HTTPS, and suddenly half your images disappear. Good migration tools handle search-and-replace operations. Cheap ones don't.
We had a client lose three months of blog posts because their old host's backup included a corrupted database table. The receiving host's "migration expert" never checked data integrity.
Plugin Conflicts
Caching plugins are migration killers. They store absolute paths and server-specific configurations. LiteSpeed Cache, in particular, loves to break during migrations because it's deeply integrated with server configurations.
Security plugins cause similar headaches. Wordfence will lock you out of your own site if it detects the server change as suspicious activity.
File Permission Problems
Different hosts use different user/group configurations. Your uploads folder might become read-only, or your wp-config.php file might lose proper permissions. Suddenly you can't upload images or install plugins.
Email Configuration
WordPress contact forms stop working because the new server's mail configuration differs from the old one. This breaks silently – you won't know until customers complain about not receiving responses.
How to Evaluate a Host's Migration Process
Before trusting any host with your site, ask these specific questions:
- Who performs the migration? Humans or automated tools? Both have their place, but you need to know which you're getting.
- What's included in "free"? Get the limitations in writing. Most hosts cap free migrations at 5GB or exclude e-commerce functionality.
- How do they handle DNS changes? Good hosts will coordinate with you on timing and provide staging URLs for testing.
- What's their rollback plan? When migrations fail (and they do), can they revert quickly?
- Do they provide post-migration testing? Or do they just move files and call it done?
The best migration teams will ask you questions: What plugins do you use? Any custom code? E-commerce functionality? Third-party integrations?
If they don't ask, they're not prepared for complexity.
The Hosts That Actually Get Migrations Right
Based on real experience migrating client sites, here's who consistently delivers:
WP Engine: Their migration team knows WordPress inside and out. They've handled our most complex multisite networks without breaking sweat. Premium pricing, but they earn it.
Kinsta: Excellent automated tools for simple sites, competent humans for complex ones. Their staging environments make testing easy.
SiteGround: Solid middle ground. Not as premium as WP Engine, but their migration team has real WordPress expertise. They've successfully migrated sites other hosts broke.
For agencies managing multiple client sites, check our hosting directory for providers with proven track records in bulk migrations.
DIY Migration: When It Makes Sense
Sometimes you're better off handling the migration yourself. Consider DIY when:
- You have a simple, single-site installation
- You're comfortable with FTP, databases, and DNS changes
- The receiving host provides clear documentation
- You have time to troubleshoot issues
Tools like Duplicator Pro or All-in-One WP Migration can simplify the process. Just remember: if something breaks, you're fixing it yourself.
Red Flags That Predict Migration Disasters
Walk away if the hosting company:
- Promises migration completion in under 24 hours without seeing your site
- Can't explain their process when you ask specific questions
- Doesn't offer staging URLs for pre-launch testing
- Has no clear escalation process for failed migrations
- Charges extra fees that weren't mentioned upfront
We've seen hosts take sites offline for days because they started migrations without understanding the complexity involved.
What You Can Do to Ensure Migration Success
Regardless of who handles your migration, you can improve success rates:
Pre-Migration Preparation
- Update WordPress core and all plugins to current versions
- Deactivate caching plugins temporarily
- Create a fresh backup (don't rely on the old host's backups)
- Document all custom configurations and third-party integrations
- Test your site's functionality thoroughly before migration
Communication
Provide the migration team with a complete picture of your site. List every plugin, custom code modification, and external service integration. The more they know upfront, the better they can plan.
Testing Protocol
Always test on a staging URL before making DNS changes live. Check every critical function: contact forms, e-commerce checkout, user registration, payment processing.
The Reality Check
Perfect migrations are rare. Something usually needs adjustment. The question is whether your hosting company will fix issues promptly or leave you hanging.
Good hosts stand behind their migration work. They'll troubleshoot post-migration issues without additional charges. Bad hosts consider the migration "complete" once files are transferred, regardless of functionality.
Before choosing a host based on migration promises, check our hosting rankings for real user experiences with migration quality.
Bottom line: Treat migration promises with healthy skepticism. Ask detailed questions, get guarantees in writing, and always have a backup plan. The hosts worth using will appreciate your thoroughness – the ones that don't aren't worth your business.
