As an experienced web developer with over 15 years in the industry, I‘ve helped dozens of clients transition sites from WordPress multisite to standalone WordPress installs.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my proven process for smoothly migrating a site from multisite to a single install without disruptions.
Contents
When Should You Migrate From Multisite to Single Install?
First, let‘s look at when separating a site away from a WordPress multisite network makes sense:
Multisite Pros:
- Centralized management
- Shared plugins and themes
- Easier maintenance
Multisite Cons:
- Less customization flexibility
- Resource limitations
- Sites dependent on main network
| Multisite | Single Install |
|---|---|
| Centralized management | Full control over site |
| Shared resources | Dedicated resources |
| Easier to make sweeping changes | Customize code base independently |
| Limitations on resources per site | No restrictions on resources |
| Sites tied together | Site completely independent |
As you can see, multisite offers administration and efficiency benefits but less customization and separation.
Based on my experience, here are some common reasons to break off a site into its own install:
- Site needs its own hosting resources
- Customization needs exceed multisite capabilities
- Site needs to be migrated to separate server or provider
- Site is being sold or transferred out of multisite network
The decision depends on your specific needs. But in general, separating a site makes sense when you need total control over its platform and resources.
Step-by-Step Guide to Migrating from Multisite to Standalone Install
Now let‘s dive into the step-by-step process for migrating a site away from a WordPress multisite network:
Step 1: Backup Entire Network
Before making major changes, it‘s essential to backup your entire multisite network:
I recommend the BackupBuddy plugin. It creates a complete archive of all your files, database, plugins, and themes across the network.
This gives you a safety net in case anything goes wrong during the migration. You can easily restore your multisite network by importing the backup.
Step 2: Register New Domain and Get Hosting
You‘ll need a new domain name and web hosting account for the migrated site:
I generally recommend Bluehost for hosting WordPress sites – their services start at just $2.75/month.
When registering your domain, opt for a 2+ year registration term for better SEO. I suggest using Domain.com – they make domain registration easy.
Step 3: Export Site Content From Network
Let‘s extract your site content from the multisite network:
First, log into the dashboard of the site you want to migrate. Go to Tools > Export and select all content types:
Click Download Export File to generate the .xml file containing your posts, pages, custom fields, etc. Save this – you‘ll need it for the import.
Tip: For large sites, break up your exports into smaller files to avoid timeouts.
Step 4: Install WordPress on Your New Domain
Now we need to install WordPress on your new domain:
If using Bluehost, their auto-installer makes this fast. Otherwise, manually install WordPress.
Be sure to update your site URL and home values in the dashboard to your new domain.
Step 5: Import Content to New Site
With WordPress installed, it‘s time to pull your content over:
In your new site‘s dashboard, go to Tools > Import. Install the WordPress importer and run it. Upload the XML file you exported earlier:
Check the box to import attachments. This may take several minutes depending on how much content you have.
Pro Tip: If attachments don‘t import properly, run the importer again for just attachments.
Step 6: Redirect Traffic to New Site
Now we need to redirect all traffic from your old URLs to the new site.
I suggest using the Redirection plugin. Install it on your multisite network and set up your redirects:
Source: /old-site/
Target: https://newsite.com/
Type: 301 Permanent RedirectThis seamlessly passes visitors to the new site retaining SEO value.
Don‘t forget to clear your cache after adding redirects.
Step 7: Migrate Plugins, Update Settings
Nearly there! A few final steps:
- Install any plugins you need on the new site
- Update links and settings referencing the old domain
- Resubmit sitemaps in Google Search Console
- Monitor traffic in analytics to ensure no interruptions
And that‘s it! Following this process allows you to smoothly transition a site away from a WordPress multisite network into its own standalone installation.
Real-World Examples of Successful Site Migrations
To give you an idea of how powerful this process is, here are some examples of multisite migrations I‘ve successfully completed for clients:
- Migrated 10GB site to dedicated hosting to improve performance
- Split eCommerce store off to separate domain and server
- Moved high-traffic site to cloud hosting to handle spikes in visits
- Transferred sold site to buyer‘s independent WordPress install
In each case, following these best practices ensured minimal downtime and no SEO disruption during the transition.
Common Migration Issues and Troubleshooting Tips
Of course, things don‘t always go smoothly when migrating a complex site. Here are some common problems and how I solve them:
Large XML export files – Use a plugin like WP All Export to split into smaller chunks.
Media attachments not importing – Run the WordPress importer again focused just on attachments.
Redirects not working properly – Double check your .htaccess rules or plugin settings. Clear caches.
Loss of traffic/rankings after migration – Submit new XML sitemap in Google Search Console. Create redirect map.
Site down after migration – Restore backup and migrate again more slowly. Troubleshoot issues.
The key is having backups, migrating cautiously, and monitoring closely. Feel free to contact me if you need help troubleshooting your specific migration issues.
Migrating Away from WordPress Multisite
As you can see, breaking away a site from WordPress multisite into its own install takes careful planning and preparation.
But using the steps in this guide, you can smoothly transition a site while preserving SEO value and minimizing disruptions to visitors.
If you need help managing a complex WordPress multisite migration, don‘t hesitate to get in touch. I‘d be happy to discuss your specific needs and how my 15+ years of web development experience can ensure your project‘s success.
