Importing WordPress via the control panel

Do you already have a WordPress website with another hosting provider or in a different package? Then you can import it in the mijn.host control panel. We copy the files and the database to your hosting package via FTP. You don't need to reinstall WordPress first.

In this article we explain how to do that with the Import button.

Please note:

  • Do not install WordPress on the destination beforehand. The import sets up a new installation itself. If there is already an (empty) WordPress site in the same folder, remove it first via Apps → Installed apps.

  • Make sure you have enough web space left. A 3 GB site on a 5 GB package will get stuck; you need at least as much free space as the size of the site.

Would you rather have us handle the migration? Then check whether a migration service is included. If the FTP import doesn't work, for example because the old provider doesn't offer FTP? Then use Duplicator.

What do you need?

  • A hosting package at mijn.host (web hosting or WordPress hosting) with the destination domain already on it.

  • FTP details from the current hosting provider:

    • Host

    • Port (usually 21)

    • Username

    • Password

  • The path to the folder where WordPress is located. In that folder you'll see, among other things, wp-config.php, wp-admin and wp-content.

The import works via FTP. FTPS and SFTP are not supported in this screen. Site builders without FTP access (such as Wix) cannot be imported this way.

Starting the import

  1. Log in to the control panel.

  2. Go to Hosting  and click on the hosting package on which the website should be placed.

  3. Click on Apps at the top and then on Installed apps.

  1. Click on theblue Import button.

  1. An Import Installation screen opens. This screen has four sections:

    1. Application Selection

    2. Source Server (FTP)

    3. FTP Connection

    4. Destination

Application Selection

  1. Under Application choose WordPress (with version number). This is the type of site we are retrieving from the old server.

Source Server (FTP)

  1. At Source domain enter the current address of the website, without https://. For example uw-domein.nl or blog.uw-domein.nl.

  2. Source path should be left empty in most cases. Only fill this in if you received a full folder path from the previous provider, for example /domains/uw-domein.nl/public_html. If WordPress is in the root folder of the FTP account, leave this field empty.

Filling in the FTP connection

  1. FTP Host: often ftp.uw-domein.nl or the IP address of the old server.

  2. FTP Port: default 21. Only change this if the previous provider specifies a different port.

  3. FTP User and FTP Password: the login details of the FTP account belonging to the WordPress site.

  4. FTP Path: the path to the folder containing the WordPress files, as you see it in your FTP program.

    • Do you see wp-config.php right after logging in? Leave the field empty.

    • Is WordPress in a subfolder, for example /blog? Enter that path.

Tip: Check the path in FileZilla (or another FTP client) before you import. Open the folder and see whether wp-config.php is there.

Choosing the destination

  1. At Destination domain choose the (sub)domain on your mijn.host package. Is the domain missing from the list? First add it via Domain names (or create a subdomain) and then open the import screen again.

  2. Leave Destination subfolder empty if the site should be placed in the root folder of the domain (https://uw-domein.nl). If you want the site under a folder, for example https://uw-domein.nl/blog, enter blog (without a slash).

  3. At Protocol you usually choose https://. Choose https://www. if the live site should run with www.

  4. At Database name you only enter the short part, after the fixed prefix (your hosting username + _). This may be a maximum of 7 characters, only letters, numbers and _.

You do not have to create the database yourself; that happens during the import.

  1. Click on Import Installation.

The import starts in the background. You will see a notification that the import is in progress. Depending on the size of the site, this can take from a few minutes to longer. Leave the old hosting package in place until ye de nieuwe site hebt gecontroleerd.

Checking whether the import is finished

Wait a few minutes and refresh the Installed apps overview. Is WordPress not showing up yet? Click Synchronise and wait again. Once the installation appears in the list, you can open the website via the destination domain. You log in to WordPress via /wp-admin using the same username and password as on the old site. You can also log in directly from the overview.

Check both the front end and the back end: pages, menus, images, forms and the shop (if you use WooCommerce). Only after that should you change the DNS or nameservers, so that visitors are directed to mijn.host. Only cancel the old package once everything works.

Common mistakes

FTP login failed
Check the host, username, password and port 21. Some providers show an internal hostname; in that case try the IP address. The import uses FTP, not SFTP.

Cannot reach the FTP path
The path is incorrect. Open the account in an FTP program and copy the path to the folder containing wp-config.php.

Database name invalid
The part after the _ may be a maximum of 7 characters. wordpress is too long; wp or import is fine.

The site does not appear in the overview
The import is still running. Wait longer for large sites and then click Synchronise.

Website gives a 404 or “Too many redirects”
Often the protocol or www is not the same as in WordPress. In the import screen, choose the protocol you want to use live, or adjust the WordPress and site URL in WordPress under Settings → General. Sometimes you then need to save again under Settings → Permalinks.

Destination folder is not empty
Do not import over an existing WordPress installation. Choose an empty (sub)domain or an empty subfolder.

Not working?

If you can't figure it out, please contact support or make use of our migration service.

Still have questions? Get in touch.