Moving the file content.
WHAT TO MOVE
Everything in the web root, and anything above it your application needs.
HOW TO GET THEM
A full backup from the old host, or FTP download.
FOR LARGE SITES
Compressing the files on the old server before downloading is far faster than transferring thousands of small files.
If the old host permits it, create an archive and download that.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Hidden files, particularly .htaccess, which FTP clients hide by default.
Enable showing hidden files.
That is the most common omission.
AFTER UPLOADING
Extract in the correct location
Check permissions: directories 755, files 644
Check ownership
WHAT NOT TO COPY
Old backup archives Cache directories Log files Anything you do not recognise
VERIFYING
Compare the file count and total size against the source.
A transfer that stopped partway is common and easy to miss.
