Essential Tips for Managing a Transferred WordPress Website: A Comprehensive Guide
Starting your journey with a new, transferred website can be both exciting and daunting, especially if you’re stepping into the role of web developer or programmer for the first time. Whether you’re taking over a static site or a dynamic CMS-based platform, understanding the key aspects of website management is crucial to ensure a smooth transition and successful customization.
Understanding Your Environment
- Hosting Restrictions: Since your site resides on a cPanel hosting environment, you’ll typically have access to File Manager or FTP rather than root access. Familiarize yourself with cPanel’s interface to manage files effectively.
- File Management: Upload and organize your website files within the public_html directory. Ensure you understand the structure and dependencies of your site files before making changes.
- Database Access: Since dynamic sites often rely on a database, confirm your access details via cPanel’s phpMyAdmin or database management tools. Download a full copy of the database for local development and testing.
Preparing for Design Changes
- Code Separation: Before altering the website’s appearance, consider refactoring the code to separate PHP logic from HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. This modular approach simplifies updates and reduces errors.
- Template Modification: If your site uses a CMS with themes or templates, explore how to safely switch or customize them without disrupting existing functionality.
- Backup Strategy: Always create complete backups of your files and database before making significant changes. This safeguards against data loss and allows easy rollback if needed.
Managing SSL and Network Settings
- SSL Certificates: Ensure your website operates over HTTPS. If SSL is not set up, consult your hosting provider’s documentation on installing or renewing SSL certificates.
- Ports and Network Configuration: For most cPanel-hosted sites, standard ports (80 for HTTP, 443 for HTTPS) are used. No additional configuration is typically necessary unless custom settings are involved.
Setting Up a Local Development Environment
- Tools and Platforms: WAMP (Windows), MAMP (Mac), or XAMPP are popular options to replicate your hosting environment locally.
- Data Migration: Download your website files via FTP or File Manager and export your database via phpMyAdmin. Import these into your local server setup.
- Version Compatibility: Match the versions of PHP, MySQL, and other components on your local environment with those on your hosting server to minimize compatibility issues.
What to Watch Out For
