Import Site
InstaWP lets you quickly and easily import WordPress websites from backup, live, or beta sources into its environment using InstaWP, WP Playground, UpdraftPlus, and more. You can upload WordPress backup zip files up to 1 GB and handle everything from your local computer using InstaWP for smooth staging site management.
In this documentation, we will explore the steps to import the WordPress site from the following backup source options:
Let’s get started 🚀
🎥 Watch: How to Manually Import Your Live WordPress Site to InstaWP
How to Import a Site
Go to Sites and locate the Import Site option. Click on it. You’ll get a box of backup resources and site plans.
InstaWP
Step 1: Select InstaWP from the Backup Source Dropdown and choose your site plan, and upload your Database Backup Zip or SQL Files and WordPress Backup .zip or .tgz files.
Step 2: Click Next again after the file is uploaded.
Step 3: Set the site name, WordPress and PHP Version and choose Server Location. Then click on Import Site button. The installation process will start automatically.
| Fields | Description |
|---|---|
| Site name | Enter the site name or leave it blank to generate it randomly. |
| Server Location | Select the server location from the US, UK, Germany, CA, or Singapore. |
| WordPress version | Select the WordPress version of your WP Playground. |
| PHP version | Select the PHP version of your WP Playground. |
Step 4: Once the installation is complete, your site will be ready to use.
WP Playground
It is an interactive environment for quickly setting up WordPress in a browser, allowing developers to experiment and test features without complex setups.
Download WP Playground file
Step 1: Click here to access and download the WP playground. Find the scanner icon and click on the vertical ellipsis.
Step 2: Click on the Download as .zip option.
Step 3: Go back to your InstaWP dashboard and select WP Playground as your source. Choose the site plan you want to use for the new InstaWP site. Upload the ZIP file exported from WP Playground.
Step 4: Click Next to continue with the site configuration. Enter the site name and choose the WordPress version. Configure the other site details, such as PHP version, server location, and any available setup options.
Step 5: Review the details and complete the import. Once the import is finished, go to the Sites section in InstaWP. You will see the newly imported site listed there.
UpdraftPlus
It is a popular WordPress plugin for backing up and restoring WordPress websites. It allows users to schedule automatic backups, store backups on remote locations such as Dropbox or Google Drive, and easily restore backups when needed.
Get backup files from UpdraftPlus
Step 1: Add the UpdraftPlus plugin to your site from the WP Admin Panel. Activate and find the Backup Now button. Click on it.
Step 2: Check the options and click Backup Now from the box.
Step 3: Once the backup is ready, click on the files (Database, Plugins, Themes, Uploads, Others). Download options will appear for each of the files. Click on Download to your Computer for all the backup files to download.
The user must download all backup data files (Database, Plugins, Themes, Uploads & Others) or their WordPress site.
Import to InstaWP
Step 1: Go to the Import site option and select UpdraftPlus as a backup source with the backup zip files you can upload. Choose your preferred site plan.
Step 2: Click on Database Backup Zip Files and upload all the five files from UpdraftPlus. Click Next.
Step 3: Once you have uploaded the WordPress site backup files, enter the values in the following fields:
| Fields | Description |
|---|---|
| Site name | Enter the site name or leave it blank to generate it randomly. |
| Server Location | Select the server location from the US, UK, Germany, CA, or Singapore. |
| WordPress version | Select the WordPress version of your WordPress site. |
| PHP version | Select the PHP version of your WordPress site. |
Now, click Next: Configure Site.
Now, select the Site Congifurations from the screen.
Clikc on Import Site to being import process.
Duplicator
It is a powerful and easy-to-use WordPress backup and migration plugin. It enables users to migrate, copy, move, or clone sites and serves as a simple backup utility, handling serialized and base64 serialized replacements.
Step 1: Add the Duplicator plugin to your site from the WP Admin panel. Activate and go to plugin settings. Click Allow and Continue.
Step 2: Using the Duplicator plugin, create a new package and download the archive file. to step ahead, click Create New. Then, name the package and click Next.
Step 3: Check the options and click on Build button.
Step 4: Click Archive to download the file.
| The user only needs to download the archive file from their package files to import the site to the InstaWP.
Step 5: Go to the Import Site option and select Duplicator as a backup source with the backup zip file you can upload.
Step 6: Upload the file.
Step 7: Once you have uploaded the WordPress site backup files, enter the values in the following fields:
| Fields | Description |
|---|---|
| Site name | Enter the site name or leave it blank to generate it randomly. |
| Server Location | Select the server location from the US, UK, Germany, CA, or Singapore. |
| WordPress version | Select the WordPress version of your WordPress site. |
| PHP version | Select the PHP version of your WordPress site. |
Now, click Import Site. The installation will start automatically.
WordPress Studio
Step 1: Go to Sites and locate the Import Site option. Click on it.
Step 2: A modal window will appear. Click on WordPress Studio from the drop-down list.
Step 3: Now, upload WordPress Studio file. Once uploaded, click Next.
Step 4: Enter site name, set server location and click Import Site.
Site installation will start automatically.
Local WP
Step 1: Go to Sites and locate the Import Site option. Click on it. A modal window will appear. Click on Local WP from the drop-down list.
Step 2: Now, upload the Local WP file and click Next.
Step 3: Enter site name, set server location and click Import Site.
Site installation will start automatically.
| 💡 Did you know - You can import WordPress websites from a local computer to LocalWP for development and testing, improving workflow productivity for developers. Learn about import site into LocalWP.