Migrating your WordPress website to Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the most impactful long-term decisions you can make especially if you prioritize security, scalable performance, and infrastructure reliability.
We recently migrated a client’s WooCommerce website after a malware attack on Hostinger, which affected all sites on their shared server. Malicious redirections led to Chinese content being indexed in Google, hijacked traffic, and SEO rankings dropping.
We temporarily shifted to SiteGround, but to avoid any future server-wide compromises, we moved the website to AWS. Below is the exact step-by-step process we used to migrate safely without losing orders, SEO, or uptime.
Migration Overview:
To migrate a WooCommerce WordPress website from SiteGround to AWS without downtime:
- Create a full backup with UpdraftPlus.
- Set up WordPress on AWS (Lightsail or EC2).
- Restore backup and reauthenticate storage if needed.
- Fix Permalinks, SSL, and domain URLs.
-
Sync new WooCommerce orders before going live.
Step-by-Step Migration from SiteGround to AWS
1. Create a Full Backup (Using UpdraftPlus)
Install and configure UpdraftPlus on your existing WordPress website. Create a complete backup including:
- Database
- Plugins
- Themes
- Uploads
- Media files
Download the backup files to your computer.
For larger sites, connect UpdraftPlus to Google Drive, Dropbox, or S3 for smoother backup processing.
2. Set Up WordPress on AWS
Choose the AWS service based on your experience level:
| AWS Service | Recommended For | Ease |
|---|---|---|
| Lightsail | Simple WordPress hosting setup | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| EC2 | Advanced performance & custom configuration | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Deploy the instance → Install WordPress → Log in to dashboard → Ensure a clean install ready for restoration.
3. Restore Backup on AWS (Critical Step)
Install UpdraftPlus on the AWS WordPress site and restore database, themes, plugins, and uploads.
✔ Design & functionality migrated successfully
✔ Site structure replicated accurately
⚠ Migration Warning (Avoid Failed Backup Uploads)
If your backup was stored in Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3, reauthenticate the same account in UpdraftPlus before restoring.
Uploading large files manually can fail—connecting remote storage prevents migration errors.
4. Fix URLs, Permalinks & SSL
- Navigate to Settings → Permalinks → Save Changes
- If domain changed, run a URL search-and-replace plugin
- Enable SSL using:
- Lightsail → bncert tool
- EC2 → Certbot
This step prevents 404 errors, 301 loops, and SSL warnings.
5. Migrate WooCommerce Orders Without Losing Transactions
Since WooCommerce sites receive continuous orders:
- Enable Maintenance Mode on the old site
- During migration, export any new orders placed
- Import them into the AWS site after restore
- Shift DNS only after final sync
Zero lost orders & smooth go-live.
Why AWS Is the Best Hosting for WordPress & WooCommerce?
| AWS Advantage | Reason |
|---|---|
| Enterprise-grade security | Designed to prevent large-scale cyberattacks using multi-layer protection |
| Unlimited scalability | Handles sudden traffic surges without slowdown |
| Full server access | Total control over performance, resources & configuration |
| Advanced cyber defense | Available tools: AWS WAF, AWS Shield, CloudFront CDN |
After facing a real-world malware attack, moving to AWS is not just a migration it’s a business recovery strategy and future-proof move.
Final Checklist Before Going Live:
- Full backup downloaded
- WordPress installed on AWS
- Backup restored
- Domain URLs + SSL fixed
- WooCommerce orders fully synced
- Maintenance Mode disabled
- Test: speed, login, payment gateway, checkout, email notifications
FAQs:
How do I migrate a WordPress WooCommerce site to AWS?
Use UpdraftPlus to back up your current site, install WordPress on AWS (Lightsail or EC2), restore the backup, fix SSL and URLs, and sync pending WooCommerce orders before DNS switch.
Does switching to AWS affect SEO?
No, if URLs and SSL are correctly handled. Faster speed on AWS often improves rankings.
Can WordPress migrate to AWS without downtime?
Yes. Enable Maintenance Mode, complete migration, then change DNS only after database and orders are synchronized.
Is AWS secure enough for business websites?
Yes. AWS offers enterprise-grade cybersecurity with features like WAF, Shield, and CloudFront.
Do I need a developer to migrate to AWS?
A skilled WordPress specialist can handle migration using UpdraftPlus. For complex AWS setups (auto-scaling, load balancing), cloud expertise is recommended.
So,
You don’t migrate to AWS for convenience.
You migrate for security, long-term stability, and peace of mind.
After witnessing a server-wide cyberattack, moving to AWS is not an upgrade it’s a protection strategy and business continuity decision.
Need help with migration?
At Marketist, we’ve successfully migrated multiple WooCommerce and enterprise websites to AWS with zero downtime.
Send your current hosting details and we’ll recommend the fastest AWS migration path.
Ready to protect your website? Let’s move it to AWS safely, securely, and for good.
