Understanding the Key Considerations When Managing a Transferred WordPress Website

Starting Your Journey with a Newly Transferred Website

Embarking on the management and redevelopment of a website you’ve recently taken over can be both exciting and daunting, especially if the platform involves complex configurations or custom modifications. If you’re transitioning into a role where you’ll oversee a website hosted on a cPanel environment, with an existing custom PHP-based CMS, there are crucial factors to keep in mind to ensure a smooth process.

Assessing Your Current Environment

Since your access is limited to the web hosting control panel (cPanel), you’ll primarily be working with file management via the public_html directory. While this setup is common for many shared hosting environments, it’s essential to understand the platform’s specifics:

• File Access and Backup: Before making any changes, ensure you have a complete backup of the website files and database. This safeguard allows you to revert to a working state if needed.

• Database Management: Identify how the website interacts with its database—typically MySQL or MariaDB. Use cPanel’s tools to export the database for local development purposes.

Understanding the Technical Stack

Your current site runs PHP version 7.4 with a custom CMS. Custom code often leads to a spaghetti-like structure, making refactoring a delicate task. To facilitate redesign and template changes:

• Code Analysis: Examine the PHP files to distinguish between core logic, templates, and scripts. Begin organizing or refactoring the code where possible to improve maintainability.

• Version Compatibility: Confirm the PHP version on your local environment matches the server’s (PHP 7.4). This helps prevent compatibility issues during development.

Setting Up a Local Development Environment

Developing locally is a best practice, allowing you to test changes safely before deployment:

• Choosing the Right Tools: WAMP (Windows), XAMPP, or MAMP are popular solutions for setting up a local server stack, including Apache, MySQL/MariaDB, and PHP. These platforms are typically sufficient for WordPress and PHP-based sites.

• Migrating Files and Database: Download all website files via cPanel’s File Manager or FTP client. Export the database using phpMyAdmin. Import everything into your local environment, configuring your local settings to mirror the live server.

• Configuring the Environment: Adjust configuration files (such as wp-config.php or custom CMS configs) to connect to your local database. Test thoroughly to ensure the site functions correctly in