Migrating a WordPress website can feel like a daunting task, and trust us, we’ve been there! After completing countless WordPress migrations using plugins and other methods, we’ve identified some of the most common pitfalls and more importantly, how to fix them. Whether you’re a WordPress developer or a website owner, this guide can help you troubleshoot and resolve migration headaches efficiently. Let’s dive in!
1. Layout and Formatting Issues Post-Migration
If your site’s layout looks broken or the formatting is all over the place after migration, don’t feel so down; you’re almost there! This issue often stems from your browser expecting data to be in HTTPS or HTTP format, but receiving the opposite. As a result, your stylesheets (CSS) and other elements will not render and load correctly.
The Fix:
- Ensure you have a valid and working SSL certificate installed on your domain.
- If you’ve recently configured a CDN, confirm the routing and configurations are correct.
- If you’re using an Amazon Lightsail Distribution with Bitnami WordPress, check that you’ve updated the wp-config.php to the below after you’ve completed a migration (we’ve made this mistake plenty of times 😊). When you’re done, make sure to restart your Apache server:
// Old Configuration //
define('WP_SITEURL', 'http://' . $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST'] . '/');
define('WP_HOME', 'http://' . $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST'] . '/');
// New Configuration – replace the old configuration and make sure to update the “DOMAIN” parameter with your actual domain //
define('WP_SITEURL', 'http://DOMAIN/');
define('WP_HOME', 'http://DOMAIN/');
if (isset($_SERVER['HTTP_CLOUDFRONT_FORWARDED_PROTO']) && $_SERVER['HTTP_CLOUDFRONT_FORWARDED_PROTO'] === 'https') {
$_SERVER['HTTPS'] = 'on';
}
2. Images Aren’t Loading (Blank or Broken Links)
Nothing’s more frustrating than completing a migration only to realize that images won’t load (the image below should look familiar). This usually happens because the imported .wpress file retains the old domain or IP address, causing broken image paths. Or the new address structure is incorrect.
The Fix:
- Use a plugin like String Locator to search for your staging domain or IP (e.g., 1.2.3.4) and replace them with your production domain.
- Double-check that there aren’t “http://” links and update them to “https://” to prevent mismatch in security protocols and browser security issues.
- If the above fixes fail, reupload the original images in their respective locations.
3. WordPress Import Keeps Getting Stuck
If you’re using the All-in-One WP Migration plugin on a Bitnami and Amazon Lightsail tech stack, you may experience the import process freezing. This is usually due to the default WordPress/server settings restricting file size and execution time for uploads.
The Fix:
- Modify your WordPress/server settings to increase upload limits and execution time.
- If you’re using a Bitnami Amazon Lightsail stack, follow this guide to update your configuration.
4. CDN Shows a 502 Error
502 errors can be tricky because they stem from possible misconfigurations—forwarding rules, cookies, port settings, or an improperly installed SSL certificate.
The Fix:
- Compare your staging/origin CDN settings with your production settings. Ensure that there are no differences between the environments.
- If you’re using a Amazon Lightsail CDN distribution, review these common mistakes.
- If everything is configured correctly, the other issue could be propagation delays—wait a bit and retry.
5. Need to Migrate Your Website But Don’t Know Where to Start?
Sometimes, migrating your website is necessary due to pricing, poor hosting service, or consolidating all IT services. However, moving to a website requires careful planning to avoid downtime and data loss.
The Fix:
- Don’t do it alone! The Uplancer team specializes in hassle-free WordPress and cloud migrations. We handle everything, from moving your site and setting up the CDN to repointing domains and ensuring full quality assurance.
We recently performed an emergency migration for a client that moved the whole shebang: DNS, domain, server, CDN, resources, and more. Ask us how we did it successfully without disrupting a second of business operations.
Stuck on a WordPress Issue? We Can Help!
If you’re facing any of these migration issues (or something completely different), our expert web development team is ready to assist. With years of WordPress and software development experience, we can troubleshoot, optimize, and get your site running smoothly.
