You should not simply upload the backed-up files to the new hosting. AbanteCart's migration has specific requirements. The official recommended approach is: first install a fresh copy of AbanteCart on the new hosting (without demo data, and with the database prefix matching the original site), then import the backup from the old site, and finally modify the key configuration in config.php.
Recommended Migration Steps
Install a fresh copy on the new hosting: Run the normal installation process on the new host, be sure not to load demo data, and you must select the same database prefix as the original site .
Back up the old site: In the AbanteCart admin panel of the old site, go to System → Data → Backup, and back up the database, code, and resource library. Do not include system/config.php .
Download and upload: Download the backup file from the backup history, then upload it to the new hosting and extract it .
Replace key configurations: Open system/config.php on the new site, and copy the ENCRYPTION_KEY and UNIQUE_ID from the old site's config.php (older versions may be SALT) into the new file, while also checking that SERVER_NAME is correct .
Clear the cache: Log in to the admin panel of the new site and clear the AbanteCart cache; otherwise, products may not display properly .
Why Not Recommend "Direct Upload"
AbanteCart's built-in backup feature primarily targets data recovery within the same environment, and does not directly generate a complete migration package that can be deployed on a new host. Directly uploading files and importing the database may cause configuration mismatches or cache issues due to the lack of proper key replacement and installation environment initialization .
If you encounter insufficient PHP memory or execution timeouts during backup, you can use cPanel or phpMyAdmin to export the database, and use FTP to download all files, then handle it manually .
Recommended Migration Steps
Install a fresh copy on the new hosting: Run the normal installation process on the new host, be sure not to load demo data, and you must select the same database prefix as the original site .
Back up the old site: In the AbanteCart admin panel of the old site, go to System → Data → Backup, and back up the database, code, and resource library. Do not include system/config.php .
Download and upload: Download the backup file from the backup history, then upload it to the new hosting and extract it .
Replace key configurations: Open system/config.php on the new site, and copy the ENCRYPTION_KEY and UNIQUE_ID from the old site's config.php (older versions may be SALT) into the new file, while also checking that SERVER_NAME is correct .
Clear the cache: Log in to the admin panel of the new site and clear the AbanteCart cache; otherwise, products may not display properly .
Why Not Recommend "Direct Upload"
AbanteCart's built-in backup feature primarily targets data recovery within the same environment, and does not directly generate a complete migration package that can be deployed on a new host. Directly uploading files and importing the database may cause configuration mismatches or cache issues due to the lack of proper key replacement and installation environment initialization .
If you encounter insufficient PHP memory or execution timeouts during backup, you can use cPanel or phpMyAdmin to export the database, and use FTP to download all files, then handle it manually .