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WordPress Deployment: Move from Localhost to Live Site

Many new WordPress users often build their sites locally which means the site is only visible on their computers. However, your creation eventually needs to be shared with the rest of the world. This is the point where WordPress deployment becomes crucial.

This tutorial is designed for absolute beginners, so we will guide you through every step to deploy your WordPress site from localhost to a live server.

Why Start Locally Before WordPress Deployment?

Let’s quickly review the benefits of local development before moving on to the actual WordPress deployment:

  • Build offline whenever it’s convenient for you; no internet is required.
  • Experiment freely with plugins and themes for safe testing.
  • Quick performance: local environments load more quickly.

For both novices and developers, starting locally also helps you avoid damaging anything on a live server.

Are you interested in local environments? To get started, look into XAMPP or LocalWP.

What You’ll Need for WordPress Deployment

Make sure you have the following resources and login information available before launching your website:

  • An account with a web hosting company (such as Bluehost, SiteGround, or Hostinger)
  • A domain name, such as yourbrand.com
  • An FTP program such as FileZilla
  • phpMyAdmin access on both live and local servers

You are prepared for WordPress deployment if you have these prerequisites.

Step-by-Step Guide to WordPress Deployment

Let’s dissect the entire WordPress deployment procedure into manageable steps.

1. Export Your Local WordPress Files

Navigate to your local WordPress directory (htdocs/your-site) and copy everything. This includes:

  • WordPress core files
  • Theme and plugin folders
  • Your media uploads (/wp-content/uploads)

You’ll upload these to your live server shortly.

2. Export Your Local Database

Go to http://localhost/phpmyadmin, select your database, click Export, and choose the “Quick” option in SQL format.

Need help with phpMyAdmin? Here’s the official documentation for more details.

3. Upload Files to Your Live Server

Connect to your web hosting account using FileZilla or your host’s file manager. Upload your WordPress files to the public_html folder (or the root directory for your domain).

4. Create a New Database on Your Host

Login to your cPanel and navigate to MySQL Databases:

  • Create a new database
  • Add a new MySQL user and assign it to the database
  • Note down: database name, username, and password

This info will be used in your config file.

5. Import the Database to Live Server

Now, head to phpMyAdmin on your hosting control panel:

  • Choose the new database you just created
  • Click Import
  • Upload your .sql file

This imports your full WordPress content and structure.

6. Update wp-config.php File

Open your WordPress wp-config.php file in the root folder and update these lines with your live database info:

phpCopyEditdefine('DB_NAME', 'your_live_db_name');
define('DB_USER', 'your_db_username');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_db_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

7. Update Site URLs for Live Server

After moving, your URLs might still point to localhost. You can fix this in two ways:

sqlCopyEditUPDATE wp_options SET option_value = 'https://yourdomain.com' WHERE option_name = 'siteurl' OR option_name = 'home';

Recommended Plugins to Simplify WordPress Deployment

While manual deployment works, plugins can make it even easier. Here are some highly recommended tools:

These tools are trusted by thousands of WordPress users and save tons of time.

Common Issues During WordPress Deployment (And Fixes)

Even if you follow everything, minor hiccups can happen. Here’s how to troubleshoot:

  • White Screen of Death → Check wp-config.php for syntax errors or missing files
  • Broken Links or 404 Errors → Go to WordPress dashboard → Settings → Permalinks → Re-save
  • Login Issues → Clear your browser cache and cookies; ensure correct user roles in wp_users table

Bonus Tips After Deployment

Once your site is live, consider these next steps to boost performance and security:

Final Thoughts: Make WordPress Deployment a Breeze

Deploying your WordPress site from localhost to a live server may sound technical at first — but once you understand the process, it becomes second nature.

By following this step-by-step guide, using helpful tools, and taking a few precautions, your site can go live smoothly and successfully.

Remember: Always back up both your local and live site before deploying.

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