Website migrations can be bumpy even with careful planning, but going it alone significantly amplifies the risks. Without a pro’s guidance, you’re more prone to data loss from incomplete backups, downtime from misconfigured settings, and broken links from overlooked redirects. These issues snowball quickly, potentially hurting your SEO rankings and user experience.
- FTP hostname: You might be using the old server name as your FTP hostname. For example, if your hostname is SERVER.dreamhost.com, you’ll need to change it to your new server name.
- DNS: Your DNS settings might not be updated. You can coordinate with your IT team to schedule the DNS update outside of peak hours to avoid site performance issues.
- Downtime: You might experience downtime if the URLs lead visitors to the old hosting. This can cause visitors to close the site by showing a 404 error.
- Files: You might be missing files or have corrupted files. You can try FTP’ing the files again and importing the database again.
- Connections: Some themes, plugins, or other licensed software, might lose the active account link. In some cases, software or plugins may need to be reinstalled. This is a common error in our Thrive Marketing Suite as the licensing is tied to our account according to our terms of service.
- PHP version: The version of PHP might have been upgraded on the server, and the site might be incompatible with the new version.
If one or more of these variables change, it can create problems on your website. Website migration issues can compound if files were already outdated before the migration, if hosting was canceled and account connections failed, or if theme files were not up to date.
In some cases, the website does not load at all or there are website database errors.
More on this at WordPress.org.
Issues with Plugins or Themes
Website migrations are a common practice in the digital world. However, they can sometimes lead to unexpected issues, particularly with WordPress plugins. WordPress plugins and other licensed plugins can lose their account connections during a website migration.
WordPress plugins often store licensing data in the website’s database. This data is crucial for the functionality of the plugins and their connection to user accounts.
When a website migration occurs, this database is transferred to a new location or server.
However, if this migration process is not executed properly, it can lead to inconsistencies in the transferred data. This can cause plugins to lose their account connections, leading to a range of issues. For instance, premium features might become inaccessible, updates may not be applied correctly, or the plugin might stop working altogether.
This can happen due to several reasons, including:
- Changes in Domain Name or URLs:
When you migrate a website, its domain name or URLs often change. This can disrupt the connection between plugins and their licensing servers, as they may rely on specific URLs to verify activation and access features.
- File Transfer Issues:
If files related to plugin settings or licensing information are not transferred correctly during migration, it can lead to lost connections. This can happen due to incomplete transfers, file corruption, or compatibility issues with the new hosting environment.
- Database Inconsistencies:
Many plugins store licensing data in the website’s database. If the database is not migrated properly, or if there are inconsistencies in the transferred data, it can cause plugins to lose their account connections.
- Plugin Updates:
In some cases, plugin updates can reset licensing information or require re-activation. This might happen if the update involves changes to licensing mechanisms or security measures.
To prevent this issue, take the following steps:
- Back Up Everything: Before migrating, create a complete backup of your website’s files and database, including plugin settings and licensing information.
- Deactivate Plugins: Deactivate plugins before migration to avoid potential conflicts or data loss during the transfer process.
- Reactivate Plugins: After migration, reactivate plugins one by one, checking for any licensing issues or required re-activation prompts.
- Update License Information: If necessary, update license keys or account details within the plugin settings to ensure proper connection.
- Test Thoroughly: Test all plugin functionalities after migration to ensure they are working correctly and connected to their respective accounts.
- Seek Developer Assistance: If you encounter persistent issues, consult with plugin developers or seek professional help from experienced website migration specialists.
Plugins Are Missing or Not Working
A WordPress plugin might be missing after a migration due to several reasons:
Incompatible PHP Version: The new server might be using a different version of PHP than the old server. If the plugin is not compatible with this version, it may not work properly.
Improper Database Migration: If the database is not migrated properly, it can lead to inconsistencies in the transferred data. This can cause plugins to lose their account connections.
Serialized Data Issues: WordPress stores a lot of information as serialized data. If the length of the URL changes during the migration (for example, moving from a local development environment to a live server), it can cause issues with the serialized data.
File Transfer Errors: If there are errors or interruptions during the file transfer process, some plugin files may not be copied over correctly.
Sources:
Stackexchange Advice on Missing Plugins
