I've read a lot of threads about how to migrate a local version of Drupal to a live server. I want to make sure the process I'm about to go through will work smoothly and want your input if I'm going to run into any issues. Just so you know, I'm currently using the Acquia Dev Desktop for my local setup.
This is the best post I found on migrating a site:
There is a module-
Backup and Migrate, installed on local and live servers. Very Easy.
You do a clean install on your live site, then
add & enable B&M,
Go to your local server and backup what you have, using BM. It'll be a .sql file.
Compress all folders in /sites/all/modules, sites/default/files,
/themes folder in your local server
Upload and extract into the appropriate directories in your new live site (I use file manager of Cpanel)
Lastly,
Go the backup and migrate in live site,
GO TO "restore" tab
This will open a dialog to upload that nice .sql file >>Click Restore
Viola! Your new site.
No code, done in 15 mins
Here are my questions in regards to this process:
1) Is it necessary to compress the files in the /sites/all/modules, sites/default/files,
/themes folder? How do I do this?
2) Has anybody else tried this process and is it pretty smooth? Or is there a better process I should use?
Thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it.