Understanding the Essentials When Transitioning to a Transferred Website: A Guide for WordPress Developers

Embarking on your first project involving the takeover of an existing website can be both exciting and daunting, especially if you’re venturing beyond static sites into dynamic content management systems. Whether you’re moving a WordPress site or another PHP-based platform, careful planning and awareness of key technical considerations are vital to ensure a smooth transition.

Key Factors to Consider During Website Transfer and Redesign

1. Hosting Environment Limitations
   Since your site resides on a cPanel-based server without root access, your file management will be confined to the public_html directory. Familiarize yourself with the server’s configuration, and ensure you understand the structure of existing files and folders. Remember that server-side modifications might be limited or require coordination with your hosting provider.

2. Backup Before Making Changes
   Always create comprehensive backups of your website files and databases before attempting any modifications. Use cPanel’s backup tools or third-party solutions to ensure you can revert to a stable state if needed.

3. Web Server and Software Compatibility
   Confirm the current server software stack, including PHP version, MySQL/MariaDB version, and Apache or Nginx configurations. Since the site operates with PHP 7.4, verify that your development environment matches or exceeds this setup to avoid compatibility issues.

4. Managing SSL and Security Protocols
   Web security is crucial. Determine whether the site uses SSL (HTTPS) and if it requires reconfiguration post-migration. You may need to obtain or renew SSL certificates via your hosting provider and update your site’s URL settings accordingly.

5. Website Code and Structure
   If the website uses custom PHP CMS with spaghetti code, consider planning a refactor. Initially, focus on isolating and understanding the existing codebase, especially PHP scripts, HTML, and JavaScript files. Separating PHP logic from presentation layers improves maintainability and simplifies design changes.

6. Downloading the Site for Local Development
   To work locally, replicate the live environment on your development machine. Tools like WAMP (Windows), XAMPP, or Local by Flywheel can provide Apache, MySQL/MariaDB, and PHP setups. Export the database from the live site and import it into your local environment. Similarly, download all website files and update configuration files (like wp-config.php for WordPress) with local database credentials.

7. Testing and Validation
   Once you set up the local copy, thoroughly test the site’s functionality, design,