Migrating a WordPress site doesn’t always mean transferring the entire website. In many cases, only certain elements—such as the database, theme, specific pages, media files, or plugins—need to be moved. This is where WordPress partial site migration development comes in.
A partial migration ensures that only the necessary components are migrated, minimizing downtime, reducing errors, and maintaining site performance.
In this guide, we will cover:
✔ What is WordPress partial site migration?
✔ Types of partial site migration
✔ Step-by-step migration process
✔ Best practices for a smooth transition
✔ FAQs about WordPress partial site migration development
What is WordPress Partial Site Migration?
WordPress partial site migration is the process of transferring specific parts of a website without moving the entire site. This can include:
- Themes – Moving only the WordPress theme to a new site
- Plugins – Transferring selected plugins
- Database – Migrating only posts, pages, users, or comments
- Media Files – Moving images, videos, or PDFs
- WooCommerce Data – Exporting orders, products, or customer details
Unlike a full site migration, which moves everything, a partial migration is faster, more efficient, and less risky.
Types of WordPress Partial Site Migration
1. Theme-Only Migration
This involves moving just the WordPress theme while keeping the content and plugins intact.
📌 Best For:
✔ Redesigning a site without losing content
✔ Applying a custom theme to multiple websites
📌 How to Do It:
- Export the theme folder (
wp-content/themes/your-theme) - Upload it to the new site via FTP or WordPress dashboard
- Activate the theme and reconfigure settings
2. Plugin-Only Migration
Move selected plugins and their settings to another site.
📌 Best For:
✔ Using the same plugin setup on multiple sites
✔ Moving SEO or security settings
📌 How to Do It:
- Download plugins from
wp-content/plugins/ - Upload to the new site and activate
- Export plugin settings (if supported)
3. Database-Only Migration
Move just the posts, pages, comments, users, and settings without transferring files.
📌 Best For:
✔ Moving blog posts to a new site
✔ Merging content from multiple WordPress installations
📌 How to Do It:
- Export the database using phpMyAdmin
- Import it to the new database
- Use WP Migrate DB to sync databases
4. Media Files Migration
Transfer only images, videos, and PDF files stored in the WordPress uploads folder.
📌 Best For:
✔ Moving large media libraries
✔ Reducing overall migration size
📌 How to Do It:
- Download the uploads folder (
wp-content/uploads/) - Upload it to the new site via FTP or cPanel
- Update media URLs using Better Search Replace
5. WooCommerce Data Migration
Move products, orders, customers, and settings from one WooCommerce store to another.
📌 Best For:
✔ Migrating only store-related data
✔ Keeping customer data intact while changing themes or hosting
📌 How to Do It:
- Use WooCommerce CSV Exporter
- Import data into the new store
- Test functionality (checkout, payments, orders)
Step-by-Step Guide for WordPress Partial Site Migration
Step 1: Backup Your Site
Before making any changes, create a backup of:
✅ Database
✅ Theme & plugin files
✅ Media files
🔹 Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy.
Step 2: Export the Specific Components
Depending on what you’re migrating:
- Database – Use phpMyAdmin or WP Migrate DB
- Theme – Manually copy from
/wp-content/themes/ - Plugins – Export from
/wp-content/plugins/ - Media – Download the
/wp-content/uploads/folder
Step 3: Upload and Import to the New Site
- Upload files via FTP, cPanel, or WordPress dashboard
- Import database tables if applicable
- Activate the theme and plugins
Step 4: Test the Migration
✔ Check if pages, media, and plugins work correctly
✔ Fix broken links or missing images
✔ Test WooCommerce transactions (if applicable)
Step 5: Update URLs (If Needed)
If moving content to a new domain, update the database using:
wp search-replace 'oldsite.com' 'newsite.com' --skip-columns=guid
or
UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = replace(option_value, 'oldsite.com', 'newsite.com') WHERE option_name = 'siteurl' OR option_name = 'home';
Best Practices for a Smooth Partial Site Migration
✔ Use migration plugins to simplify the process
✔ Backup everything before migration
✔ Check compatibility of themes/plugins with the new environment
✔ Ensure database table prefixes match
✔ Test in a staging environment before going live
✔ Update permalinks under Settings → Permalinks → Save Changes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I migrate only part of my WordPress site?
✅ Yes! With WordPress partial site migration development, you can move themes, plugins, database records, media files, or WooCommerce data without transferring the entire site.
2. How do I move just my WordPress theme to another site?
✅ Copy the theme folder (wp-content/themes/your-theme) and upload it to the new site via FTP. Then activate it in Appearance → Themes.
3. Will migrating plugins transfer their settings too?
✅ Some plugins store settings in the database, so you may need to export plugin settings manually. Plugins like Yoast SEO and WooCommerce provide export/import options.
4. How do I migrate only my WordPress posts and pages?
✅ Use Tools → Export in WordPress to export only posts, pages, and categories. Then use Tools → Import on the new site.
5. What should I do if images are broken after migration?
✅ Use Better Search Replace to update image URLs in the database. Also, ensure the /uploads/ folder is correctly copied to the new server.
6. Can I migrate WooCommerce products without affecting the rest of my site?
✅ Yes! Use WooCommerce CSV Exporter to export products and import them into the new site without moving other elements.
7. What if my migrated site isn’t working properly?
✅ Check for:
- Missing database tables
- Incorrect file paths
- Broken links
- Plugin conflicts
🔹 Re-save permalinks and enable debugging in wp-config.php:
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
Final Thoughts
WordPress partial site migration development is a powerful way to move only the essential parts of your site while keeping everything else intact. Whether you’re migrating a theme, plugins, database records, or WooCommerce data, following the right steps will ensure a smooth and error-free migration.
🚀 Use this guide to make your WordPress partial site migration seamless and hassle-free!
