When you move an independent install of a WordPress blog, you can find instructions online for moving it within the same domain, or from one domain to another. As I moved mine, I found that the instructions that were missing, were those for moving it from a domain that was set up as an add-on domain, to a host where it was set up as an add-on domain, but under a different primary domain, or where it BECAME the primary domain.

Turns out, it isn’t any different than moving it within the same domain, because WP doesn’t care about the root path to the files. Some dynamic installs do though, so this is a logical question which might arise.

So, to move it, just backup the database, and backup the site files and download via FTP. The most efficient way to do the second (if you do not have shell access), is to use Cpanel - IF your Cpanel uses the x3 theme. If it uses the x theme, you are out of luck on this method, you’ll have to do it the long way - by downloading all the files to a folder on your hard drive - if you have to do that, just use an FTP client, do not use Cpanel, it takes longer for that!

Anyway, one of the problems with backing up the files is that you end up with a high degree of truncated or missing files. If you use the Cpanel file manager, you can compress your public-html directory before downloading it. That both speeds up the download, and reduces the degree of error.

Either way you backup, once the backup is on your computer, you can reupload it to the new space - if you downloaded it the long way, just compress it before you upload it, if you have ANY theme in Cpanel, because while not all can COMPRESS files, they can decompress them. Compressing it before you upload it speeds up the upload time, and again, reduces the risk of file loss or corruption.

Once it is uploaded, use the Cpanel file manager to decompress it.

Open up the wp-config.php file, it has the database name, username, and password in it. Go back into Cpanel, and create your database, with the same info, assign the user to the database with full privileges. Then use PHPMyAdmin to import the database backup.

Once you’ve done that, the site should be ready to test - if it is done right, you’ll get a php error in the content area, if the domain has not yet resolved. Let the domain resolve, then test it again. If you cannot get the pages to show up with the template showing, and just that error instead of the posts, then you most likely have a database username or pw typo, or you have a truncated file. It is often easiest to just reinstall the core files, or even do an upgrade if this happens.

It is a fairly simple process, if you are familiar with setting up databases, and using FTP and Cpanel. If you are not, then you will need additional instruction.