Before You Start
WordPress migrations have a reputation for being painful. Database errors, broken permalinks, missing images, SSL issues — it's a long list of things that can go wrong. But with the right process, it genuinely takes 15 minutes and nothing breaks.
This guide uses the Duplicator plugin (free) to package your site and MevoHost's cPanel to deploy it. The approach works for any WordPress site regardless of size or complexity.
What you need
- Access to your current WordPress admin dashboard
- A MevoHost hosting account (Linux or WordPress plan)
- Access to your domain registrar or DNS settings
- About 15 minutes
Step 1: Back Up Your Current Site
Before touching anything, create a full backup. If something goes wrong mid-migration, you need a restore point.
1. Go to Plugins → Add New 2. Search "Duplicator" 3. Install and activate (free version is fine) 4. Go to Duplicator → Packages → Create New 5. Click Next → Build 6. Download both files: - installer.php - [timestamp]_archive.zip
Keep both files — you need both to restore. The archive alone is not enough.
Step 2: Create Your MevoHost Account
Sign up for a MevoHost plan that fits your site. For most WordPress migrations, the Linux Business plan or Managed WordPress plan is ideal.
Step 3: Upload the Migration Files
Log into your new MevoHost cPanel and open the File Manager. Navigate to public_html and upload both Duplicator files there.
public_html/ ├── installer.php ← upload here └── [timestamp]_archive.zip ← upload here
Also create a new MySQL database in cPanel: go to MySQL Databases → create a database, a user, and assign the user to the database with All Privileges. Write down the credentials — you'll need them in the next step.
Step 4: Run the Duplicator Installer
Visit yourtempurl.com/installer.php in your browser. The Duplicator installer will walk you through the setup.
Step 5: Test on the Temp URL
Before touching DNS, verify everything works on the temporary URL. Check:
Step 6: Point Your DNS to MevoHost
Find your MevoHost nameservers in cPanel under General Information. Then update your domain's nameservers at your registrar.
ns1.mevohost.com ns2.mevohost.com
Zero downtime tip
DNS propagation takes 15 minutes to 24 hours. During this window, some visitors see the old host and some see the new one — but both are running your site. There is no downtime window.
Step 7: Activate Free SSL
Once DNS has propagated, go to cPanel → SSL/TLS → AutoSSL and run it. Your free Let's Encrypt certificate installs in seconds.
Then update WordPress to force HTTPS: go to Settings → General and change both URLs from http:// to https://.
Mixed content warning?
Install the Really Simple SSL plugin — it fixes mixed content automatically by rewriting all hardcoded http:// URLs to https:// across your entire site.
Post-Migration Checklist
Run through this before cancelling your old hosting: