# Migrate WordPress with Softaculous remote import
Source: https://docs.webgee.com/en/hosting/wordpress/migrating-a-wordpress-site-from-another-host-using-softaculous-remote-import



Softaculous can import a WordPress installation directly from another hosting
provider over FTP. Applies to shared and reseller hosting on cPanel.

It does not work for
[Multisite networks](/en/hosting/wordpress/resolving-mysql-error-during-wordpress-cloning-in-softaculous) —
use WP Toolkit or Installatron for those.

## Before you start [#before-you-start]

You need working FTP credentials for the **old** host, and the path to the
WordPress directory. Test them in an FTP client first: a wrong password or path
is the usual reason an import fails, and the error is not always specific.

## Open the import form [#open-the-import-form]

1. Log in to cPanel and open **Softaculous**.
2. Open the WordPress page — search for it, or select it from the top scripts.
3. Select the **Import** tab.
4. Select **From Remote Server**.

## Source — where the site is now [#source--where-the-site-is-now]

| Field            | What to enter                                                                                                                |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Domain Name**  | The domain the site currently runs on, with no `http://` or `https://`                                                       |
| **Server Host**  | Only if the domain does not resolve to the old server — for example when DNS already points at WebGee. Otherwise leave blank |
| **Protocol**     | FTP by default. Choose SFTP or FTPS if the old host supports it                                                              |
| **Port**         | Set by the protocol; 21 for FTP, 22 for SFTP                                                                                 |
| **FTP Username** | Your username at the old host. On cPanel, the cPanel username                                                                |
| **FTP Password** | The matching password                                                                                                        |
| **FTP Path**     | The path from where FTP drops you to the WordPress directory                                                                 |

**Server Host** is the field worth understanding. If you have already pointed
DNS at WebGee, the domain no longer resolves to the old server, and the import
will connect to the wrong place. Put the old server's hostname or IP here.

**FTP Path** is relative to your FTP login directory, not the server root. On
most cPanel hosts, FTP drops you in the home directory, so the path is
`public_html`.

<Callout type="warn">
  Plain FTP sends the password unencrypted. Use SFTP or FTPS if the old host
  offers it, and change the FTP password at the old host once the migration is
  finished either way.
</Callout>

## Destination — where it is going [#destination--where-it-is-going]

| Field                      | What to enter                                                        |
| -------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Installation Directory** | Where the site sits at the *source*. Blank if it is in `public_html` |
| **Choose Protocol**        | `http://` or `https://` for the destination                          |
| **Choose Domain**          | The domain here that will serve the site                             |
| **In Directory**           | Where it should sit *here*. Blank for the domain root                |
| **Database Name**          | The database to import into                                          |

The two directory fields are easy to confuse: **Installation Directory**
describes the source, **In Directory** describes the destination. Both are
usually blank.

Select **Import**.

## While it runs [#while-it-runs]

The import continues in the background — you can close the page. You will
receive email as it starts, and progress is visible under the **Task List**
tab.

## Afterwards [#afterwards]

* Load the site on the new domain and confirm it does not redirect to the old
  one.
* Check images load. Broken images mean URLs in the database still point at the
  old host.
* Log in to `wp-admin` using the original credentials.
* **Only then change DNS.** Migrating before the cutover is the whole point of
  the **Server Host** field.

Leave the old site in place until the new one is confirmed working and DNS has
propagated.

## Related [#related]

* [Migrate WordPress with Installatron](/en/hosting/wordpress/how-to-migrate-a-wordpress-website-using-installatron)
* [Clone a WordPress site with WP Toolkit](/en/hosting/wordpress/how-to-clone-a-wordpress-website-between-cpanel-accounts-using-wp-toolkit)