Moving WordPress isn't reinstalling it — the site lives in two halves (files and database) that you carry across together. Here's the reliable sequence.
1. Gather everything from the old host
- Download the files — the whole WordPress folder, typically via your old host's Backup or SFTP. Be sure to include the hidden
.htaccessfile. - Export the database — in the old host's phpMyAdmin, select your WordPress database and choose Export (SQL format). If it's large, tick Compressed: gzip.
2. Set up the new home at WebFulHost
- Install a fresh WordPress with the one-click installer — the installer creates the database and user for you, so the connection is guaranteed.
3. Bring your content across
- Files: delete the placeholder files the fresh install created inside public_html (except
.htaccessand optionallywp-config.php), then upload your old WordPress files in their place — the ZIP method is fastest. - Database: in phpMyAdmin, select the fresh (empty) database and Import your SQL export.
4. Reconnect the database
Your uploaded wp-config.php still points at the old host. Update DB_NAME, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD (and DB_HOST to localhost) to the fresh database the installer created. See How to Connect a MySQL Database to WordPress.
5. Fix any domain differences
If you're keeping the same domain, nothing to do. If the domain or bare-www form changed, run a search-replace in the database to update old http://olddomain values to https://newdomain. A PHP-based search-replace tool or a carefully targeted SQL update works; take a backup first.
6. Point DNS and test
Change nameservers (how), give propagation time, then log into the admin, check posts, plugins, media and forms. Then cancel the old host.