Understanding the Essentials of Managing a Transferred WordPress Website: A Guide for Beginners

Starting Your Journey with a Transferred Website

Embarking on the task of taking ownership of a website that has recently been migrated can be both exciting and daunting—especially for those new to web development. Whether you’ve primarily worked with static sites or managed WordPress as an editor, stepping into a more technical role requires a clear understanding of key aspects to ensure a smooth transition.

Understanding Your Environment

If the website is hosted on a cPanel-based server, it’s important to recognize that you likely won’t have root access. Typically, you’ll be working within the public_html directory, handling website files directly. This setup is common for shared hosting, so familiarizing yourself with how to navigate and manage files here is essential.

Evaluating the Current Site Architecture

Before making any modifications, assess the existing setup. Many websites utilize custom PHP-based CMS or frameworks, which may include legacy or “spaghetti” code. It’s wise to avoid altering core functionality initially. Instead, focus on understanding the code structure: identify which parts are responsible for layout, content management, and dynamic features. Plan to refactor and separate PHP logic from HTML, CSS, and JavaScript gradually to facilitate easier design changes later.

Key Areas to Know and Prepare For

1. SSL and Security Configuration
   Ensure the site runs securely with HTTPS. Check if SSL certificates are already installed and correctly configured. If not, coordinate with your hosting provider or use tools like Let’s Encrypt to implement free SSL certificates. Understanding how SSL impacts site behavior and URL structure is crucial for maintaining user trust and compliance.

2. Port and Firewall Settings
   While many shared hosting environments manage port configurations automatically, being aware of standard ports (80 for HTTP, 443 for HTTPS) and any restrictions is beneficial. If the site is hosted on a cloud platform, verify that necessary ports are open and properly configured.

3. Local Development Environment Setup
   To develop and test safely, you’ll want to mirror the live environment locally. WAMP (Windows, Apache, MySQL/MariaDB, PHP) is a good choice for Windows users. For Linux, consider LAMP stacks or tools like XAMPP. Your goal is to download the website files and database, then set up a local environment that closely resembles the live server’s PHP version, database, and server settings.

4. Version Compatibility
   Check the PHP version on