Moving a WordPress site to TrueCore is straightforward. Our WordPress installer uses SQLite rather than a traditional MySQL database, so you don't need to export and import a database — you migrate content using WordPress's own export tools.
Done carefully, you can complete the migration with under 5 minutes of downtime, or zero downtime if you test before switching DNS.
Before You Start
You'll need:
- Admin access to your current WordPress site
- Your TrueCore account credentials and SSH access
- Access to your domain registrar to update nameservers
Give yourself an hour for a typical site. Large media libraries take longer to transfer.
Step 1: Export Your Content
In your current WordPress admin, go to Tools → Export. Choose "All content" and click Download Export File. This exports all your posts, pages, comments, categories, tags, and custom fields as an XML file.
This is WordPress's native export format — it's database-agnostic and works regardless of what database your old host used.
Step 2: Install WordPress on TrueCore
Log into your TrueCore customer portal and go to the Add-ons tab. Click Install next to WordPress.
The installer:
- Downloads the latest WordPress from wordpress.org
- Installs the official SQLite integration plugin
- Configures
wp-config.phpwith secure auth keys and the correct SQLite database path - Enables PHP and updates your nginx configuration
This takes about 30–60 seconds. Once it completes, visit your domain (or use a hosts file entry to test before DNS cutover) and run through the WordPress setup wizard to set your site title and create your admin account.
Step 3: Install the WordPress Importer
In your new WordPress admin, go to Tools → Import. Click WordPress and then Install Now. Once installed, click Run Importer.
Upload the XML file you exported in Step 1. Assign the imported posts to your admin user. Tick "Download and import file attachments" — WordPress will pull your media from your old site during import.
Step 4: Migrate Your Theme and Plugins
Your content is now imported. Next, reinstall your theme and plugins manually:
- In your old WordPress admin, note which theme and plugins are active
- In your new install, go to Appearance → Themes and install your theme
- Go to Plugins → Add New and reinstall each plugin
If your theme or plugins have settings you want to preserve, most have their own export/import tools. Check each plugin's documentation.
Step 5: Transfer Your Uploads
The WordPress importer attempts to download your media, but it may miss some files if your old host restricts access. To be sure:
Connect to your old host via SFTP and download wp-content/uploads/. Upload the directory to your TrueCore account at the same path in your web root. You can do this via SFTP or SSH:
rsync -avz --progress wp-content/uploads/ user@ember.truecorehosting.com:~/uploads/Then move the directory into place from your SSH session.
Step 6: Test Before Switching DNS
Before updating your nameservers, add a line to your computer's hosts file to preview the new site:
159.195.31.27 yourdomain.comVisit your domain. You should see your WordPress site loading from TrueCore. Test key pages, forms, and any checkout flows. Check for broken images or missing media.
Remove the hosts file entry when you're done testing.
Step 7: Update Your Nameservers
Log into your domain registrar and change the nameservers to:
ember.truecorehosting.comlitespeed.truecorehosting.comspark.truecorehosting.com
DNS propagation takes 1–24 hours (typically 1–2 hours). Keep your old hosting active until propagation is complete — visitors may hit either host during the transition.
Step 8: SSL Certificate
TrueCore provisions your SSL certificate automatically once DNS resolves to our servers. You don't need to configure anything — it happens in the background and typically completes within a few minutes of DNS propagating.
Step 9: Verify and Clean Up
Once DNS has propagated and your SSL certificate is active, verify the live site is running correctly. Once you're confident, you can close your old hosting account.