LocalWP: Migrate existing website

LocalWP allows importing any backup file using the drag-and-drop uploader inside the "Create Site" process.

Create a backup

Before going into the migration process, let's briefly discuss creating backups.

These days, most hosting providers already offer the ability to create, manage, and download backups, but if that's not the case for you, here are some excellent (free) plugins to create a backup that can be imported into LocalWP:

• BackWPup

  Duplicator

  WPMigrate

With that out of the way, let's migrate a website

The migration process

Create site

Open LocalWP and click on the big plus icon in the bottom-left corner of the app:

On the first screen, you will see the "Select an existing ZIP" link, click on it:

Choose the file from your local filesystem and upload it.

Import Archive

The next screen will ask you for a name - depending on the backup file LocalWP might automatically populate this field:

Add a name and click "Continue".

Environment

In the last step you can configure the server's environment (PHP, MySQL, Webserver) - you can go with the defaults or modify it - it's up to you!

Then click "Import Site".

Running migration

The dialog will close, and you will see the progress of your migration in real time. Once it's done, you can access your website locally.