The first thing you need to do is copy all your WordPress website files. To do this you’ll need FTP account details & FTP tool to download files from the server. If you don’t have any FTP tool, then you can use free tools such as FileZilla, WinSCP for Windows-based systems or Cyberduck for mac.

Once you connect your website server via FTP you need to navigate to the root folder, which contains all files of your website. It’s usually called either public_html or www or is named after your site.

Now right-click the root folder & choose the download option.

This will start downloading files to your local computer. It will take some time to download all files.

Quick Hack

If your hosting provider has provided you cPanel account for your website hosting then I’ll tell you Quick Hack to take a backup of all files. It’s much faster than downloading files using FTP.

1. Login to your cPanel Account
2. Navigate to File Manager
3. Now you will find folder name public_html or www or is named after your site.
4. Right-click that folder & click on the Compress option.
5. Select the compression option Zip Archive
6. It’ll quickly create a zip file with folder_name.zip
7. That’s it! Your file backup is ready to download.

You should now back up the database. This is where you will find information about your site’s content, users, and much more.

You’ll need to access your database to complete this. Most web hosts provide this feature through your control panel. If you’re using cPanel, for example, you’ll find a Databases section. You’ll want to select the phpMyAdmin option in that section:

Quick Steps

1. Navigate to the phpMyAdmin section in cPanel
2. Select the Database of your website which you want to download
3. Go to the Export option
4. Select the Quick export method with SQL format & hit Go
5. This will download a copy of your site’s database in .sql format.

The next step is to create a new database on the web host you’re moving to. Then you’ll import the file from your previous database, which will overwrite the new one’s contents.

If your new WordPress host also uses cPanel, you’ll need to do the following:

1. In cPanel, navigate to the Databases section and select MySQL Databases.
2. From the same tab, create a new database and add a user to it (and take note of the names for later use).

If you are migrating your website from one hosting provider to another hosting provider while keeping the same domain name then you don’t have to any changes in the database.

But if you are moving your WordPress website to a new domain eg. Oldwebsite.com to Newwebsite.com. Usually, this happens when you are developing a website on a production server for testing & demo purposes. Once all changes are done you need to move the website to your actual domain name. Or in case you are completely rebranding & changing the domain name then you have to migrate the website.

So let’s check step by step how I do for my projects if I want to change the domain name while migrating the website,

(Note: Take a backup of the .sql file before doing this step.)

Update database for new website URL

• Access the new database using phpMyAdmin, as you did during step 2.
• Go to the Import tab within the new database, and upload the .sql file from your backup.
• Once the database is successfully uploaded, select the database then run some SQL updates and replacement commands on the tables notably, wp_options, wp_posts, and wp_postmeta.
• Use the code as below and swap in your old and new URLs, no trailing slashes. Also if necessary change the table prefix values where applicable (ie wp_ )

UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = replace(option_value, 'http://www.oldurl', 'http://www.newurl') WHERE option_name = 'home' OR option_name = 'siteurl';

UPDATE wp_posts SET guid = replace(guid, 'http://www.oldurl','http://www.newurl');

UPDATE wp_posts SET post_content = replace(post_content, 'http://www.oldurl', 'http://www.newurl');

UPDATE wp_postmeta SET meta_value = replace(meta_value,'http://www.oldurl','http://www.newurl');

That’s it! Now your database is ready for the new website. In the next step, we will check how to upload website files to the new server. 

To upload all files to the new server you will need to connect the server via FTP same as we connected the old server in Step 1.

Right-click anywhere within that folder and choose Upload. Locate the folder you downloaded in the first step, open it, and select all of the files and directories contained within it.

Because we’re dealing with hundreds of files, the upload process may take some time. However, if you’re patient, you’ll soon find yourself almost at the end of the journey.

Quick Hack

1. Do you remember we downloaded files in zip format? If you have downloaded files using FTP then try to zip all files. 
2. If the zip file size is within the Max upload size then use File Manager to upload the file. Login to your cPanel Account
3. Navigate to File Manager
4. Now you will find folder name public_html or www or is named after your site.
5. Click on the Upload option under File Manager
6. Drop or Select files using file uploader to Upload
7. Once a file is uploaded successfully you can unzip/ Extract the file.

Now if as your all files are moved to the new server, a database is also uploaded with new domain name details. If you try to visit your website now it’ll not work because you need to update database details in wp-config.php. So that it’ll start using our updated database.

Let’s check how to update wp-config.php if you are using cPanel,

1. Navigate to File Manager
2. Now you will find folder name public_html or www or is named after your site.
3. Try to locate the wp-config.php file right-click on it, and select the View/Edit option:

This will open the file using your local text editor, enabling you to make changes. Here are the three lines you’ll need to update:

define('DB_NAME, 'db_name');
define('DB_USER, 'db_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD, 'db_pass');

Currently, all three lines will contain values pointing to your old database. Replace the lowercase variables with the credentials for the new database that you created in Step 3.

Now add the following lines (replacing NewWebsite.com with the new domain).

define('WP_SITEURL', 'https://www.NewWebsite.com');
define('WP_HOME', 'https://www.NewWebsite.com');

Then save and close the file with your changes. You should now be able to access your WordPress website, which should look the same as before.

Everything should now be accessible on the new website; however, you should double-check to ensure that all of your settings are correct.

1. If you use a caching plugin or system, make sure to delete all of the old data.
2. Install the Search and Replace plugin, do a search and replace your old domain name with your new domain name.
3. Set up a redirect on your old site using your preferred tool, so that all requests to your old domain result in a 301 redirect to (the same page on) the new domain. This should be thoroughly tested!
4. Check Permalink Settings under the Setting option in the WordPress Admin panel. This is a very common error after migrating the website to a new server. At a first, glance if you check your website homepage you will feel that website is working fine but if you click on any internal page link it’ll show a blank page or a 500 error. To avoid such issues you should first check Permalink Settings & update it as per the old website.

Website migration is a time-consuming task, but moving your WordPress site to a new host doesn’t have to be difficult.

That should do it; you’ve successfully transferred WordPress to a new domain. If you have any suggestions or notice any errors, please leave them in the comments!

The post 7 Easy steps to Move a WordPress website to a new Domain! appeared first on Beyond Pixels.

Mr Subodh Poddar recalling his old days.

How the visualiser team used to sketch scenes from different angles before the actual shooting.

Whenever the visual team used to sketch scenes they actually applied different thought processes with the brainstorming team.

But nowadays all design elements are readily available with the designer via different graphic tools like photoshop, illustrator etc. 

These available tools are killing the thinking process of the visual team.

I totally agree with his view about & how fast the world is changing with latest technologies.

The same thing is happening with marketing also.

With all-new digital media and social media, marketing ways are changing fast.

But though technics are changing, mediums are changing Core of marketing is not changed.

Marketing is creating emotion in your audience & more importantly when people pay attention people pay money. 

Facebook, Instagram, Google AdWords has changed the way how marketing is done.

Now people are in an ocean of information, they get all information with a single click, attention span has also decreased over the period.

People forget next minute what they are looking for or what they saw 5 min ago, for 1 product they have many choices.

But still, the buying process is more or less what it was 100 years ago.

1. People saw it.
2. Customers ask their brain whether they need this?
3. If the answer is yes then they review it
4. If they gain trust then buy it.

& I’m sure this process will be there for the next 100 years till the existence of humans or humans is the position to make a decision of buying.

For the conversion or for sale you need to follow these marketing steps.

Now let\’s check what has changed over the period & how traditional marketing is different from digital marketing?

Let’s not take the example of more than 20-30 years old so that it’ll be easier to relate what is changed.

1.People Saw It
In the era of TV when digital platforms are not available. Marketing people used to create attention-grabbing TV commercials, billboards, Newspaper & magazine posters.

Now in digital marketing people are doing the same things, Youtube Skippable advt, Instagram reels advt, Facebook video, google display advertisement.

So only platforms are changed. 

Until and unless people see you, they will not think to buy your product.

To create attention you need to be visible somewhere and here marketing starts.

2.Customers ask their brain whether they need this?

Once you grab the attention of a person next step you have to do is to convince your customers brains that this product is for you only.

I still remember in my childhood when 1 month before Diwali, In TV advt breaks Asian Paint or Nerolac paints commercials keep reminding us regularly to paint our home because Diwali is coming.

They create emotional attachment and make us believe how important it’s to paint a house for a happy environment.

It’s more than 25 years but I’m still able to clearly recollect the jingle of Nerolac paints.

“Jab Ghar ki Raunak badhani ho,
Deewaron ko jab sajana ho,
Nerolac, Nerolac”

If you watch that advt carefully, then you will understand following things,

The first brand gives a Positive vibe/signal to the Customer\’s brain, 

Second, they emotionally convince the customer\’s brain that they definitely need to paint their house.

And lastly, they tell customers that Yes we are the ones who can help you.

Now Let’s check the latest Advt by Nerolac Paints.

Lot’s of things have changed over the period. 

20-25 years ago painting a house was a costly affair. 

I know now also it\’s a costly affair but our spending capacity has changed.

If you check the latest advt of Nerolac it’s about their washable paint, though it’s not that great as the old one but serves the purpose.

Now let’s check whether they are following that 3 magical steps or not.

The first brand gives a Positive vibe/signal to the Customer\’s brain by showing children are playing but at the same time, they alert you that you are also facing similar problems with your walls. 

Second, they emotionally convince the customer\’s brain that children\’s smiles are more important but at the same time your walls are also Important & customers definitely need to protect their walls with such paint.

And at last, they tell customers that Yes we are the ones who can help you.

3. If the answer is yes then they review it

In the old days, getting reviews of any product was a bit challenging. So the customer usually depends upon the opinions of his fellow friends or they used to visit Store to watch/experience the product physically.

Now people get reviews from various websites, blogs, and youtube videos.

In the old days brand, ambassadors played a big role as people used to believe that brand ambassadors really used this product and that’s why he’s recommending it.

Over time everyone knows how commercials work.

But it\’s not the end of the road now influencers are playing this role. 

Though their reach is small compare to big actors, still it’s more effective. 

More Positive reviews on the internet higher the chances that your product will sell.

Many brands like Noise, Oppo, MI will give you a discount coupon if you post a positive review.

4.If they gain trust then buy it.

Recently I attended the webinar by Swastik Nandkumar, in that webinar he highlighted very Important point out Sales

“Nowadays Salespeople are not required for information about product as information is available on Google, Customer needs a salesperson for relationship & trust.”

It’s very true if you observe your own shopping experience only.

Your regular bread and butter you will get in 3-4 nearby shops still, you always prefer only 1 shop. 

This is where relationships and trust work.

In the old days, people used to take the opinion of their shopkeeper/painter for which product they should purchase and 90% of the time customer end up buying the same recommended product.

On top of the icing in that interview, Subodh Poddar highlighted one more important thing that their competitor Asian Paint targeted end customers and advt revolve around customers. 

But in the Nerolac campaign, they give importance to Painter and advt revolves around Painter. As they feel that painters play an important role in the buying process.

Don’t you think this is a masterstroke?

In this digital era, we buy the product once we build a strong relationship with the brand. 

That’s why people prefer to buy from Amazon.com rather than any other shopping portal.

So I hope I’m able to convince you that though marketing methods have changed over the period, but the fundamentals of marketing are the same as in the old days & will remain the same in the coming days also.

Now Let’s check how CATT Marketing Funnel Works?

First, we will try to understand what is CATT?

C- Content
A- Attention
T- Trust
T- Transaction 

CATT revolves around the Niche you selected & asper that your success, wealth creation or sales will happen.

So What’s Niche?

If you try to be everything to everyone, you will be nobody to everyone.

Let me explain this with the same example of Nerolac.

As I mentioned earlier when Subodh Poddar and the team design Nerolac camping they decided to be a choice of Painter, as their competitor already projected themselves as the customer’s choice.

So there\’s no point in choosing the same niche.

Another example OPPO projects itself as a Good Camera Quality phone.

MI is Good Value for Money, RealMe Young People choice, Micromax as Indian Phone brand and so on.

Everyone has their own niche. If they have different products they create a sub-brand. Like RealMe created Nazro for their high-performance Mobiles.

Once Niche has selected CATT Marketing funnel comes into play.

C – Content – Create useful creative & useful content based on your niche.

A – Attention – Once content is ready drive attention to your content using various digital or traditional marketing methods to grab the attention of customers.

T – Trust –  Build trust with your targeted customer using review, drip marketing.

T – Transaction – Once Trust gains, convert your lead into a customer.

Recently I come across one very useful article about Integrated Digital Marketing written by Mr Deepak Kankraju.

In this article, he thoroughly explains how different digital marketing methods can works together as a team for better results.

Instead of expecting 100% results from one digital marketing method like SEO, SEM, Email marketing let them perform together so that they will complement each other contribute to success.

And this is also true. 

Recently I came across a brand called TheBetterHome. They are running a very excellent Paid Advertisement campaign along with an organic social media campaign. But one thing they are missing is email marketing. 

I purchased one product from them, used it & forgot it. 

They didn’t do anything to retain their old customer.

But I guess recently their marketing team realised the mistake and they focused on missing element of digital marketing ie Email Marketing.

Right now they are running very creative Email marketing where they are not selling their product rather they are explaining why we should save mother earth. Which are helping as attention-grabbing and brand value creation.

Another best example of integrated marketing is Swiggy. 

I just loved all the emails from Swiggy. They are so creative. (Though I didn’t buy anything from swiggy as I’m not used to ordering anything online)

Swiggy marketing team is great at their organic content & paid advertisement also.

They connect with customers from all possible digital platforms. A true Integrated Digital Marketing.

Can Personal Branding help in product marketing?

As I mentioned earlier, you don\’t need a salesperson to gather information about any product. In this digital world, Buyers can fetch all required information from Google.

But here is one major problem right now. If you search anything on Google you will definitely get 50,000+ results. 

Out Of these tons of information whom to believe? and how much information anyone can fetch or evaluate themselves.

It’s like finding a pearl in the ocean.

So people need experts to find pearls in the ocean of information.

If you select your niche properly and able to establish yourself as an expert in the niche then the game will be yours.

That’s why personal branding is important.

With a personal brand, you can sell your products also.

The best example is with the power of a personal brand, Elon Musk recently increased the value of Dogecoin more than 200 times.

Baba Ramdev is another example where he established himself as Yoga Guru & now he’s the driving force of sales and marketing of the Patanjali brand.

How can anyone create his personal brand and establish himself as an expert?

Remember one thing no one knows anything 100% about any subject or he can rate himself 10 out of 10 in that niche

It’s highly impossible.

If you know anything about any subject where you can rate yourself 5 out of 10 then you are definitely an expert for a person who has a score of 2.

With your expertise, you can help him to score at least 4 Points out of 10.

 So don’t wait till you become 100% expert in your niche.

Follow these 6 steps to create your personal brand.

1. Learn – Select your niche and keep learning more and more information about the niche. Acquire new skills.
   
2. Work – Whatever you learn, try to implement these learning in real world scenario, because implementation will give you better understanding of any subject.
   
3. Publish – Publish what you learn, how you implement it & what are challenges you face. You can publish your experience by writing blog, creating youtube videos. Let the people know what you\’re doing now it’ll help to build personal brand around your niche.
   
4. Consulting – Now with your personal experience and branding you can consult other people/ business to overcome problems which you are already solved.
   
5. Mentor – Mentor other people who want to gain expertise like you in a similar niche or domain. When you teach, train or mentor someone you are automatically learning new things and improving your own skill set.  It’s like sharpen your axes.
   
6. Startup – You can build product / service regarding your niche expertise. As with your expertise you know the common problems the market is facing. So you can offer a better common solution to people.

So are you excited about your personal branding?

In this article, we saw how marketing fundamentals works & how those implemented in real-world scenarios.

With niche how CATT marketing cycle works & why personal branding is important.

If you have noticed such unique brand marketing details please let me know in a comment, I would love to hear more about it.

Also tell me your niche, if you haven’t found out yet. let me know whether shall I write an article about niche selection.

Cheers.

The post Digital marketing is killing traditional marketing? Let’s find out appeared first on Beyond Pixels.