Migrate Guru
TLDR: Migrate Guru is the preferred migration tool for most WordPress sites. It handles large sites well, uses offsite processing, and is free for basic migrations.
Why Migrate Guru
This is the preferred migration method for most sites because:
- Free for standard migrations - no size limits on free tier
- Offsite processing - doesn't strain source or destination servers
- Handles large sites - works well with sites up to 200GB+
- Automatic serialized data handling - fixes URLs in database automatically
- Real-time progress tracking - see exactly what's happening
When to Use
- Standard WordPress migrations (most cases)
- Large sites with lots of media
- Sites on shared hosting with limited resources
- When you need quick, reliable migration
When NOT to Use
- Complex multisite migrations (consider manual or WP CLI)
- Sites with unusual server configurations
- When client requires keeping migration fully internal
Migration Steps
- Install Migrate Guru on source site (WordPress Admin → Plugins → Add New)
- Enter destination details:
- Destination URL
- Select hosting type (GridPane, cPanel, etc.)
- Enter FTP/SFTP credentials or use migration key
- Start migration and monitor progress
- Verify migration on destination:
- Check all pages load
- Test forms and functionality
- Verify media files transferred
- Clean up - Remove Migrate Guru from both sites after successful migration
Common Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Migration stuck | Check server timeout settings, try again |
| Missing files | Verify FTP permissions, re-run migration |
| Database errors | Check database user permissions on destination |
| SSL issues | Ensure destination has valid SSL before migration |
Alternative Tools
If Migrate Guru doesn't work for your situation:
- All-in-One WP Migration - good for smaller sites
- Duplicator - more control but more complex
- WP CLI - for developers comfortable with command line