01 · Before you start
Two ways to move, both free.
Moving a WordPress site to Cloudways usually takes an afternoon of attention, most of it spent waiting and testing. You can do it yourself with a free plugin, or ask Cloudways to do it for you once.
Do it yourself with the plugin
- Free and unlimited, according to Cloudways’ help center
- Works from any host to Cloudways Flexible or Autonomous
- Needs WordPress admin access on the old site
- You choose the timing and test at your own pace
Let Cloudways do it
- “Every Cloudways account includes one free managed migration”
- Requested from the Cloudways platform
- Useful for complex sites or if you are short on time
- Extra managed migrations may be charged
This guide summarizes the official Cloudways Migrator documentation (checked November 9, 2026) and standard WordPress practice. It is not a record of our own migration.
02 · Pre-flight checklist
Ten minutes now saves a bad evening later.
Take a full backup
Download a complete backup of files and database from your current host, separate from any migration tool.
Gather logins
WordPress admin, your current host’s panel, and your domain registrar or DNS provider.
Note your email records
Write down your MX, SPF, and DKIM records. Cloudways does not host email by default, so mail must keep pointing where it lives today.
Lower the DNS TTL
A day before the switch, set your domain’s TTL to a few minutes so the final change spreads quickly.
Check for .htaccess rules
Custom redirects, security rules, or a subdirectory Multisite usually mean you need the Hybrid stack.
Pick a quiet window
Pause content edits and, for stores, choose a low-order period so no orders land on the old server.
03 · Pick the stack
Hybrid or Lightning?
| Hybrid stack | Lightning stack | |
|---|---|---|
| Web server | NGINX + Apache | NGINX only |
| .htaccess support | Supported | Not supported |
| Best for | Sites with redirects, security rules, plugin rewrites, subdirectory Multisite | Sites that do not depend on .htaccess and want a performance-focused setup |
| If unsure | Choose this | Only if you know you don’t need .htaccess |
Source: Cloudways Migrator guide, “Which stack to choose?”
Cloudways warns that some Multisite setups, especially subdirectory networks, rely on .htaccess rules to route subsites, and may not work on the Lightning stack without extra configuration. Single sites can be affected too if they use .htaccess for redirects or security restrictions.
04 · The migration, step by step
From launch to live in ten steps.
Create your account and server
Start the 5-day free trial or a paid server. New accounts are limited to servers of 4GB or smaller until restrictions are lifted, which is enough for most sites.
Launch a WordPress application
This empty install is the destination. Choose the server size and data center closest to your visitors.
Open the destination admin
In the platform, go to Applications, pick the new app, and find the Admin Panel URL and login under Access Details.
Install the plugin on the old site
On your current WordPress site, go to Plugins → Add New, search for “Cloudways WordPress Migrator”, then install and activate it.
Fill in the wizard
Enter your email, accept the terms, and complete the destination details listed in the table below. Then click Migrate.
Wait
Time depends on the size of your files and database. You get email updates.
Test on the temporary URL
Click “Go to Cloudways” in the plugin. New WordPress admin credentials are generated and shown under Access Details. If you see an old version, purge the Varnish cache in the platform.
Test with your real domain privately
Point your domain to the new server IP in your computer’s hosts file, so only you see the new site under its real address.
Add the domain and switch DNS
Add your domain under Domain Management, make it primary, then update the A record at your DNS provider. Leave MX records untouched.
Turn on SSL and keep the old host
Once DNS points to Cloudways, install the free Let’s Encrypt certificate. Keep the old hosting account for a week or two as a fallback.
05 · The wizard fields
Every field, explained.
| Field | What to enter | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Cloudways Flexible or Cloudways Autonomous | Your plan type |
| Destination site URL | The new application’s URL (for Multisite: the primary domain) | Application Details |
| SFTP host / server address | The server IP address | Application → SSH/SFTP |
| Database name | The application’s database name | Application → Database |
| SFTP username & password | Your Cloudways master credentials | Server → Master Credentials |
| HTTP auth enabled? | Yes only if the new app is password-protected | Your own settings |
| Root directories | Yes to copy non-WordPress folders in public_html | Your old site’s files |
| Additional database tables | Yes if plugins created extra tables (always Yes for Multisite) | Your old database |
| Is this site protected? | Yes if the old site is password-protected | Your old host |
Source: Cloudways WordPress Migrator guide, checked November 9, 2026.
06 · Special cases
Multisite, Autonomous, and account transfers.
WordPress Multisite
Supported on Flexible only. Enable Multisite in Application Settings first, choosing subdomain or subdirectory to match your source. This is permanent for that application. Then add the primary domain and make it primary before migrating.
Cloudways Autonomous
The same plugin works; choose Autonomous as the platform. Autonomous plans include unlimited managed migrations, according to the pricing page.
Between Cloudways accounts
Use a direct server transfer or the plugin. Brand-new accounts cannot receive servers larger than 4GB and need enough wallet funds.
07 · Troubleshooting
If something looks wrong after the move.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Old content still showing | Server or browser cache | Purge Varnish in the platform; clear plugin and browser caches |
| Pages other than home show 404 | Missing rewrite rules | Re-save permalinks; confirm the Hybrid stack if you use .htaccess |
| Multisite subsites break | Wrong stack or structure | Hybrid stack; confirm subdomain vs subdirectory matched the source |
| Email stopped arriving | MX records changed | Restore the MX, SPF, and DKIM records you noted before the move |
| “Not secure” warning | SSL not yet issued | Wait for DNS to point to Cloudways, then install Let’s Encrypt |
| Mixed content warnings | Hard-coded http:// links | Run a search-replace from http:// to https:// |
Your safety net
Until DNS changes, your live site is untouched on the old host. If anything is badly wrong after the switch, point the A record back and investigate calmly. That is why you keep the old account for a while.
08 · After the move
Your first-week checklist.
Click through key pages
Home, contact form, checkout, login, and search. Submit a test form and, for stores, a test order.
Send and receive email
Confirm mail still arrives and your site’s notification emails are delivered.
Check SSL and redirects
Visit both http:// and www versions and confirm they land on your https address.
Confirm backups
Check the backup schedule in the platform and take one manual backup you know is good.
Watch server usage
Look at CPU and memory over a few days of normal traffic before deciding to resize.
Then cancel the old host
Download a final backup from the old host and cancel once everything has run cleanly.
09 · Questions
Migration: quick answers.
Is migrating to Cloudways free?
The WordPress Migrator plugin is free with no limit on the number of sites, and every account includes one free managed migration done by Cloudways. Autonomous plans include unlimited managed migrations.
Will my site go down during the migration?
No. The plugin copies your site; the original keeps running until you change DNS. Visitors may briefly reach either server while DNS updates.
Do I need to move my email?
Usually not. Keep your mail where it is and leave the MX records unchanged. Cloudways offers Rackspace email as a paid add-on if you want to move it.
Can I migrate WooCommerce?
Yes. The plugin handles WooCommerce sites. Pause orders or choose a quiet window so new orders aren’t left on the old server.
Can I migrate during the free trial?
Yes, the plugin works on trial servers. The trial server is deleted at the end of the trial unless you upgrade, so don’t switch DNS until you have upgraded.
Sources
Where these steps come from.
All pages checked November 9, 2026. Vendor statements are not independent performance findings.
- Cloudways — WordPress Migrator plugin guideSteps, wizard fields, stacks, Multisite, account limits
- Cloudways — pricing & FAQsFree trial, Autonomous migrations, Rackspace email
Editorial independence & affiliate disclosure
The Steady Stack is independent of Cloudways, DigitalOcean, and every other host mentioned. Some Cloudways links on this site are affiliate links: if you buy through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Links to Kinsta, WP Engine, Rocket.net, SiteGround, and other providers are ordinary links with no affiliation. No company paid for placement, and we do not offer coupons or rewards for signing up. This is a document-based guide: we did not run lab benchmarks, and we do not present vendor claims as test results.