Uploading a WordPress Site

Topics Covered in This WordPress Tutorial:

Master the essential skills for deploying WordPress sites professionally: exporting databases, modifying SQL queries with appropriate absolute URLs, uploading complete WordPress installations, and importing databases to live servers.

Exercise Preview

Exercise Overview

You've perfected your WordPress site locally—now it's time to deploy it to production. This exercise demonstrates the professional workflow for migrating a complete WordPress installation from your development environment to a live web server. We're assuming your hosting provider has already configured WordPress through their one-click installation (standard practice for most quality hosts in 2026), meaning your database and core WordPress files are already in place. Your task is to seamlessly transfer your custom database and wp-content directory to replace the default installation.

This exercise is designed for Noble's instructor-led training environment. Independent learners should refer to Exercise B4 in the Bonus section for adapted instructions suitable for personal development environments.

Getting Started

Before beginning the deployment process, you'll need access credentials for your target server. Your instructor will provide these essential connection details.

1. Record the following credentials from your instructor (you'll need these throughout the deployment process):

   • WordPress URL - Your live site's web address
   • PhpMyAdmin URL - Database management interface
   • FTP Username - File transfer protocol access
   • FTP Password - Secure authentication for file uploads

2. Open your browser and visit the WordPress URL assigned to you. You'll see a fresh WordPress installation courtesy of your host's automated setup. This default installation will be completely replaced with your custom MRP site, preserving all your development work while transitioning to the live environment.

Exporting the Database

WordPress stores all dynamic content—posts, pages, comments, user data, and configuration settings—in a MySQL database. The most efficient way to migrate your site is to export this database from your local environment and import it to your live server. This process ensures perfect content fidelity and preserves all your customizations.

1. Access phpMyAdmin through your local development environment:

   MAMP vs XAMPP Database Access

   Feature	Mac (MAMP)	Windows (XAMPP)
   Application	MAMP	XAMPP
   Access Method	WebStart page → Tools	Control panel → localhost
   Required Services	Auto-start servers	Apache + MySQL running

   Recommended: Both platforms provide phpMyAdmin access through different paths but identical functionality

Replacing the Local URLs

WordPress stores URLs as absolute links throughout the database, creating a critical migration challenge. Your local database contains references to localhost URLs that won't function on your live server. This step replaces all local references with your live server URLs, ensuring seamless functionality after deployment.

1. Launch your preferred code editor (Sublime Text, Visual Studio Code, or Dreamweaver).

2. Open the exported database file by selecting File > Open from the menu.

3. Navigate to your download location:
   • Mac: [username] > Downloads
   • Windows: C: > Users > [username] > Downloads

4. Open the mrp.sql file in your editor.

5. Access the Find and Replace function:

   • Sublime Text: Find > Replace or Ctrl/Cmd+H
   • Dreamweaver: Edit > Find and Replace
   • Visual Studio Code: Edit > Replace or Ctrl/Cmd+H

6. Configure the replacement parameters exactly as shown:

   Find:	http://localhost:8888/mrp (Mac) or http://localhost/mrp (Windows)
   Replace:	Enter the exact WordPress URL provided by your instructor (case-sensitive).

7. Execute Replace All to update all URL references throughout the database file.

8. Save the modified file, preserving all changes for the import process.

With your URLs properly configured, you're ready to import the database to your live server environment.

Importing the Database

1. Navigate to the phpMyAdmin URL provided by your instructor. Pay careful attention to case sensitivity—these URLs must be entered exactly as provided.

2. Authenticate using the Username and Password credentials from your instructor.

3. Select your target database from the left sidebar. The database name will match your FTP Username, creating a consistent naming convention for easy identification.

   

4. Navigate to the Import tab to begin the database restoration process.

   

5. Click Choose File (or Browse in older browsers) to select your modified database file.

6. Navigate to your Downloads folder and locate the mrp.sql file you edited earlier.

7. Double-click mrp.sql to select it for import.

8. Click the Go button to execute the import. A successful import will display a confirmation message such as: "Import has been successfully finished, 396 queries executed."

   Performance Note: Database imports typically complete within seconds for sites of this size. If you experience stalling (particularly in Safari), try using Chrome or Firefox for more reliable performance during large file operations.

FTP Clients

Professional WordPress deployment requires reliable file transfer capabilities. While numerous excellent FTP clients exist—including FileZilla, WinSCP, and Transmit—we recommend Cyberduck for this exercise due to its robust cross-platform compatibility, intuitive interface, and zero cost. The principles and steps demonstrated here translate seamlessly to any FTP client you might prefer in your professional workflow.

For Noble Desktop students, Cyberduck comes pre-installed in your classroom environment, ensuring consistent results across all workstations.

Uploading Your WordPress Site

The final deployment step involves transferring your custom files to the live server, replacing the default WordPress installation with your carefully crafted site.

1. Launch Cyberduck from your applications folder or desktop shortcut.

2. Click the Open Connection button located at the top-left of the main interface.

3. Configure your server connection with the provided credentials:

   • Server: noble.local
   • Username: Enter your assigned or selected username
   • Password: Enter your assigned or selected password

4. Expand the advanced options by clicking the triangle next to More Options if not already visible.

5. Set the Path to: public_html/WordPress/ to direct uploads to your WordPress installation directory.

6. Click Connect to establish the FTP connection. If you receive an Unsecured FTP connection warning, click Continue—this is expected for classroom environments.

   Troubleshooting: Connection failures typically result from credential errors or extra spaces in the input fields. Double-check your entries for accuracy.

   Pro Tip: Once successfully connected, use Bookmark > New Bookmark to save these settings for future deployments.

7. Position the Cyberduck window to occupy half your screen, leaving space for your local file browser.

8. Open a new Finder (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows) window and navigate to your local WordPress installation:
   • Mac: Applications > MAMP > htdocs > mrp
   • Windows: C: > xampp > htdocs > mrp

9. Arrange both windows side-by-side for efficient drag-and-drop operations.

10. Drag the wp-content folder from your local directory directly onto the Cyberduck window. Ensure you're dropping into the main directory, not into an existing subfolder. Click Continue if you receive another security warning.

11. Monitor the upload progress in the Transfers window that appears automatically. If prompted about overwriting existing files, click Continue to replace the default installation files with your customized versions.

12. Close the Transfers window once the upload completes successfully.

13. Test your deployment by visiting the WordPress URL provided at the beginning of class. Your MRP website should load completely, demonstrating successful migration from development to production environment.

Congratulations! You've successfully completed a professional WordPress deployment, mastering the essential skills needed for client work and production environments.