Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following:

1. A fully developed WordPress site on your local server (using XAMPP).
2. Access to your live server hosting account (with FTP and a control panel like cPanel).
3. The Duplicator plugin installed on your local WordPress site.
4. Basic knowledge of using FTP clients and cPanel.

Step 1: Install and Configure Duplicator on Your Local WordPress Site

1. Install the Duplicator Plugin:
   • Log in to your local WordPress dashboard.
   • Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
   • Search for “Duplicator”.
   • Click Install Now and then Activate.
2. Create a New Package:
   • Go to Duplicator > Packages in the WordPress admin panel.
   • Click on Create New at the top right.
   • Follow the prompts and click Next.
3. Build the Package:
   • The plugin will scan your site. Once the scan is complete, click Build.
   • This process may take a few minutes, depending on the size of your site.
   • Once done, you will see two buttons: One-Click Download and Installer. Click on both to download the package (a zip file) and the installer script (a PHP file).

Step 2: Upload Files to Your Live Server

1. Access Your Live Server:
   • Log in to your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel) or use an FTP client (like FileZilla) to connect to your live server.
2. Upload Duplicator Files:
   • Navigate to the root directory (usually public_html) where you want to install WordPress.
   • Upload both the installer.php file and the package zip file you downloaded in the previous step.

Step 3: Create a New Database on Your Live Server

1. Log in to Your Hosting Control Panel:
   • Go to the MySQL Databases section.
   • Create a new database, and note down the database name.
   • Create a new database user and assign it to the newly created database. Note down the username and password.

Step 4: Run the Duplicator Installer

1. Run the Installer Script:
   • Open your web browser and navigate to http://yourdomain.com/installer.php.
   • This will launch the Duplicator installation wizard.
2. Setup the Database:
   • Fill in the database details you created earlier (database name, username, password).
   • Click on Test Connection to ensure everything is correct.
   • If the test is successful, proceed by clicking Next.
3. Confirm and Run the Installation:
   • The installer will now extract the files and install the database.
   • Review the settings on the next screen and click Next.
   • Continue through the remaining steps until the installation is complete.

Step 5: Finalize the Migration

1. Update Permalinks and Configurations:
   • Once the installation is complete, log in to your live site’s WordPress admin panel using your old login credentials.
   • Navigate to Settings > Permalinks and re-save the permalinks to ensure all links work correctly.
   • Check your site to ensure everything is functioning properly.
2. Delete Installation Files:
   • For security reasons, delete the installer files (installer.php, the package zip file, and any other Duplicator files) from your server.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Connection Errors: Ensure your database details are correct and that the database user has sufficient privileges.
• File Permissions: Make sure the files and directories have the correct permissions to be accessed by the web server.
• Broken Links or Missing Images: Re-save your permalinks and clear your browser cache.

Conclusion

Migrating your WordPress site from a local environment to a live server is a critical step in the development process. Using the Duplicator plugin simplifies this task, making it accessible even for those with limited technical expertise. By following this step-by-step guide, you can ensure a smooth transition of your website from XAMPP to your live hosting environment, bringing your site live with minimal downtime and hassle.

For a detailed walkthrough, make sure to check out our YouTube video, where we demonstrate each step of the process in real-time. Happy migrating!