Essential Tips for Managing a Transferred WordPress Website: What Every Developer Should Know

Embarking on the journey of taking over a website for the first time can be both exciting and daunting, especially if it’s a non-static site with custom components. As a developer stepping into this role, understanding key considerations ensures a smooth transition and successful management. Here’s a comprehensive guide highlighting crucial aspects to focus on when working with a transferred website, particularly one hosted on cPanel with custom PHP and a WordPress foundation.

1. Understanding Hosting Environment and Access Limitations

Since the site is hosted on cPanel, you won’t have root access, which influences how you manage files and configurations. Typically, you’ll work with the public_html directory to upload or modify website files. Remember to verify if the server uses Apache or other web servers, as this impacts configuration.

2. Backups Are Your Best Friend

Before making any changes, always create full backups of the website files and database. This redundancy safeguards against accidental data loss or broken features during your updates.

3. Analyzing the Existing Codebase

The site includes custom PHP scripts running on PHP 7.4 with a spaghetti-code structure. Your initial focus should be to:

• Refactor the code for clarity and separation of concerns, moving PHP logic out of HTML templates where possible.
• Identify how the custom CMS integrates with WordPress if both are used.
• Ensure compatibility with newer PHP versions if planning upgrades later.

4. Modifying the Design and Templates

To change the website’s appearance:

• Locate theme files or templates within the existing structure.
• Consider creating a child theme if WordPress themes are involved.
• Implement changes cautiously, testing on a staging environment before deploying live.

5. Working with SSL and Security Protocols

SSL certificates are essential for secure browsing:

• If the site runs on HTTPS, verify the SSL certificate status.
• For making changes, ensure your local environment mimics the live setup.
• Be aware of port configurations and how SSL impacts accessibility.

6. Setting Up a Local Development Environment

To develop and test safely:

• Use tools like WAMP or XAMPP; they are suitable for PHP, MySQL, and Apache.
• Download the complete website files and database dump from the server.
• Match your local server’s PHP version, Apache configuration, and database version with the production environment to avoid compatibility issues.

**7. Migr