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10 October 2011
There are a couple different ways to migrate a Joomla website. You can use the old fashioned way of backing up all your files, exporting the database, then restore your files and import your database or you could use the quicker more efficient method of using a 3rd party Joomla extension called Akeeba. You may remember the Joomla extension, "Joomlapack". Well Akeeba is the updated version of Joomla pack. It allows you to backup both your website files as well as the database.
First, You need to donwload the latest version of Akeeba from here. Akeeba is compatible with Joomla 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7. Click under the heading, "Akeeba Backup" download the latest version (At this time is 3.4 Stable). Click "View Files" then "Download Now" under Akeeba Core. You also need to download the extractor file called "Kickstart.php" This should be available on the main download page as well, so go back to https://www.akeebabackup.com/download.html and scroll down to were it says "Kickstart Backup" and download the latest version (3.3.2 at this time).
Once you have the core component and Kickstart.php, navigate to the current websites admin panel and install Akeeba Backup. This is done like any other Joomla extension installation, from Extensions->Install/Uninstall.
Once it installs, go to your admin top menu Components->Akeeba Backup. Click on "Backup Now". The default configuration is usually suitable.
Now, click "Backup Now"
Now you should see a screen similar to the one below. The system is now creating a backup archive.
Once it is finished, you will get a screen with options to view the log or administer backup files. You can download the backup archive files by clicking administer backup files under Manage & Download BUT Akeeba suggests to do it via FTP because the browser is sometimes unreliable when downloading these files.
To download via FTP, open up your FTP software and navigate to joomlasite/administrator/components/com_akeeba/backup and find the most recent backup (probably the only backup). It ends in .jpa. Download the file.
Restoration
Important: Domain Name DNS - If your domain name nameservers are still pointed to your old host, you will either need to change the DNS to point to the new host or you need to use the ip address to access the new host in the browser as well as FTP. (if your hosting provider lets it)
Important: Create a database - You need to have a fresh MySQL database ready. on your new host. If you don't know how to create a database, please read and follow the steps in this article.
Now you need to log into your new host via FTP and navigate to the root folder or whatever folder you want the site transfered to.
Note: Remember, youll need to use the ip address to connect via FTP if you have not pointed the domain DNS yet
Upload the .jpa archive that you downloaded from the current site. You also need to upload the Kickstart.php file. If you downloaded the Kickstart.zip file, unpack it on your computer and upload only the php file (unless you want a language other than English)
After both are uploaded, If your domain is pointed to the new host, navigate to http://www.yoursite.com/kickstart.php. If the domain is not pointed yet, try to find out and use your ip address and account username, an example would be http://174.23.56.80/~accountname/kickstart.php
Now you will be taken through a series of steps to restore the website. Make sure the correct .jpa file is chosen, then click "Start"
Now it will go through and restore the files. This can take a few minutes depending on the size of the website.
Click "Run the Installer"
Now you'll get a summary of required and optional settings. Just click next unless you have compatibility issues
You might be asked if you want to clear the old database fileds. Click Yes to clear them. If you dont get the option, just clear them yourself and enter the new fields from the database that you created earlier. You can leave everything else as is.
If you get an error, chances are that you entered something wrong. Double check your database parameters and try again. You should get a progress bar like below as the database is imported.
When it's done, click OK.
Now you should be on the final step which is just basic configuration options such as the site name and admin login. You shouldn't need to touch these because they should have carried over from your old installation. Click Next.
Now you'll get a link to delete the installation directory. Make sure you click it.
Thats it! your Joomla site is now transfered. If you have not pointed the dns to your new site, you'll still need to do that.
