{"id":190004,"date":"2020-07-29T00:30:08","date_gmt":"2020-07-29T00:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/premium.wpmudev.org\/blog\/?p=190004"},"modified":"2020-07-23T23:03:20","modified_gmt":"2020-07-23T23:03:20","slug":"shipper-migration-makeover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/shipper-migration-makeover\/","title":{"rendered":"Shipper, Now Much Less Sh**ter (1.1.5)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When we first set out to build a migration plugin, we reached for the stars. We probably shouldn&#8217;t have.<\/p>\n<p>We didn&#8217;t want to build your regular &#8216;zip this up and transfer it across&#8217; plugin that failed on most shared hosts or any sort of decent sized site.<\/p>\n<p>And we wanted 100% success rates. Something brand new. File by file. Heck yeah!<\/p>\n<p>Which was a great idea, and a lofty concept that was going to change the WordPress World. Until it wasn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n<p>Because while Shipper was extraordinarily thorough and reliable, it, well, tended to take a medium size site at the very least a few hours&#8230; and a large site, let&#8217;s say, the better part of a week to migrate.<\/p>\n<p>And it turns out while users really really would like stable and successful migrations, they generally would like them done within the calendar month. Fancy that!<\/p>\n<p>But that&#8217;s cool&#8230; because we figured let&#8217;s put all we&#8217;ve learned into an absolutely excellent &#8216;package&#8217; (yep, zipping it up) migration that isn&#8217;t crap.<\/p>\n<p>And we did! The only problem was we kinda forgot to, erm, change the design to let you know!<\/p>\n<h2>So, while it&#8217;s been great for ages&#8230; it&#8217;s been hard to see this in action.<\/h2>\n<p>Which you didn&#8217;t hesitate to point out at length in the recent <a href=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/the-2020-wpmu-dev-survey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2020 survey<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cI want it to work but it doesn\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShipper always fails\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201c2 AND A HALF DAYS???!!!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><em>&#8220;But we&#8217;ve fixed him&#8221;<\/em> we cried, <em>&#8220;he works beautifully now&#8221;<\/em> we plaintively wailed into the ether.<\/p>\n<h2>As of Shipper&#8217;s latest release (1.1.5) his interface has been completely revamped.<\/h2>\n<p>His migration capabilities are now fully on display, and he&#8217;s also added another important security feature that was highly requested.<\/p>\n<p>So without further ado&#8230;<\/p>\n<h2>Presenting: Shipper&#8217;s Extreme [Plugin] Makeover.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div class=\"cgrid-col cgrid-col-span-full\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_190084\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" data-caption=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-190084 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Shipper_Makeover.jpg\" alt=\"Shipper looking rather nervous about his extreme plugin makeover\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shipper won&#8217;t know himself after this extreme plugin makeover.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Check out Shipper&#8217;s new look below and let us know if it floats your boat.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a quick breakdown of some of the notable UI and UX changes:<\/p>\n<h3>1.Shipper no longer looks like he has a bad case of sea sickness.<\/h3>\n<p>This wasn&#8217;t an issue that affected everyone, but we had reports that some users were still seeing the old Shipper character design.<\/p>\n<p>Now while we love him, I&#8217;m pretty sure even Shipper himself would have to admit he isn&#8217;t looking his best in the frame below.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">Before:<\/h4>\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div class=\"cgrid-col cgrid-col-span-full\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_190032\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" data-caption=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-190032 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/shipper-character-before.png\" alt=\"Shipper was looking rather seasick before his new updated look\" width=\"600\" height=\"208\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shipper moves so many sites, no wonder he was suffering from motion sickness.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Safe to say he&#8217;s looking a lot happier now. :)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">After:<\/h4>\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div class=\"cgrid-col cgrid-col-span-full\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_190031\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" data-caption=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-190031 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/shipper-character-after.png\" alt=\"After his update, Shipper is looking a lot happier\" width=\"600\" height=\"219\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shipper feeling brand new.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>2.He&#8217;s got a new dashboard that allows easy access and explains both forms of migration.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"cgrid-col cgrid-col-span-full\">\n<p>In the past Shipper had been quite forthcoming with new users.<\/p>\n<p>Encouraging them to <a href=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wordpress-migration-plugin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">jump head first into a site migration<\/a> without explaining much about the process first.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">Before:<\/h4>\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div class=\"cgrid-col cgrid-col-span-full\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_190030\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" data-caption=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-190030 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/shipper-dash-before.png\" alt=\"A look at Shipper's dash before the new update\" width=\"600\" height=\"264\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shipper certainly wasn&#8217;t messing around before. Jumping straight into a migration many might not be ready for.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><strong>There were a couple of problems with this:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Users were pretty much thrown into thinking an API migration was their only option, unless they happened to be paying close attention to the WP dashboard sidebar.<\/li>\n<li>Users were given little to no context as to what was involved in both of Shipper&#8217;s migration options and what to expect.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>As the &#8220;After&#8221; screenshot below shows, you no longer have worry about these things, as our chuffed captain has been equipped with a slick new dashboard.<\/p>\n<p>Including an overview of previous migrations, as well as details about both forms of migration, and what&#8217;s involved with each process. Scroll down further and you can also directly access more helpful Shipper settings and tools.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">After:<\/h4>\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div class=\"cgrid-col cgrid-col-span-full\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_190028\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" data-caption=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-190028 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/shipper-dash-after.png\" alt=\"A look at Shipper's new and improved WordPress dashboard\" width=\"600\" height=\"357\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Everything you need to know about the migration process on one central dashboard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div>\n<h3>3. Shipper now offers up some helpful hints before continuing with your migration.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>Although previous versions of Shipper did run pre-flight checks, the newly upgraded UI takes things a step further.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div class=\"cgrid-col cgrid-col-span-full\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_190027\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" data-caption=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-190027 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/defender-large-package.png\" alt=\"Before you proceed with your migration, Shipper will point out some possible issues and point out solutions\" width=\"600\" height=\"301\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">API migration looking like it&#8217;s going to take too long? Try a Package Migration!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Along with alerting you of any destination server issues, Shipper now also offers up some handy tips to help speed up your migration process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>This includes letting users know they have the option of a Package Migration, which might otherwise have been overlooked in the past.<\/p>\n<h3>4. ETA&#8217;s and calculated website sizes are now more accurate.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>Another issue with the migration process in the past has been the clarity of package sizes and ETAs.<\/p>\n<p>Mostly because in many cases ETA&#8217;s simply weren&#8217;t accurate, and migrations were a lot quicker than displayed. But sadly the described time frames ended up deterring most users.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">Before:<\/h4>\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div class=\"cgrid-col cgrid-col-span-full\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_190024\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" data-caption=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-190024 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/migration-process-before.png\" alt=\"An old look at the Shipper migration screen\" width=\"600\" height=\"373\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Migrations actually took a lot less time than actually stated!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In Shipper&#8217;s new &#8220;<strong>Migration in progress&#8221;<\/strong> modal you can see that the ETA and package size are clearly stated, and have been upgraded to be more accurate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">After:<\/h4>\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div class=\"cgrid-col cgrid-col-span-full\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_190023\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" data-caption=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-190023 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/migration-in-process-after.png\" alt=\"A look at the brand new and improved Shipper migration in progress screen\" width=\"600\" height=\"431\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Setting clear and accurate expectations like a true captain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Bonus Feature: Protect your connected sites from hackers with password confirmation.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"image-grid cgrid-row\">\n<div class=\"cgrid-col cgrid-col-span-full\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_190029\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" data-caption=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-190029 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/shipper-confirm-pass.png\" alt=\"For increased security, Shipper now asks for a password confirmation before you continue with your migration\" width=\"600\" height=\"429\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Password confirmation helps to protect your connected sites from hackers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Along with Shipper&#8217;s new extreme plugin-makeover, he&#8217;s also received an important new security update.<\/p>\n<p>When running an API migration, Shipper automatically gives you access to all of the sites you have connected to The Hub.<\/p>\n<p>Normally this wouldn&#8217;t be an issue, however, if one of your sites were to get hacked, the hacker would in-turn have access to your other connected sites, and could wreak havoc by running migrations and breaking them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>To help prevent this, Shipper now asks for your WPMU DEV password before fetching the connected sites in the API migration.<\/p>\n<p>This acts as a second level of security, so even if someone were to gain access to one of your sites, they\u2019ll still need your WPMU DEV password to begin a migration.<\/p>\n<h2>So, what do you think of Shipper&#8217;s new makeover?<\/h2>\n<p>The truth is, Shipper&#8217;s been a new [sea] man for a while now.<\/p>\n<p>It just took a quick cut and polish to reveal what our migration master could really do underneath all the boat rust.<\/p>\n<p>If you do like the look of Shipper&#8217;s new style and time-saving migration features, we invite you to hop aboard. Just keep in mind <a href=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/project\/shipper-pro\/\" target=\"_blank\">Shipper is one of our premium-only plugins.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re already a member be sure to check out his new looks for yourself&#8230; If you&#8217;re NOT a member, you&#8217;ll have to become one to join the migration party&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>The good news is, there&#8217;s never been a better time to get aboard WPMU DEV with a no-risk membership <a href=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">free trial<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Because along with Shipper Pro&#8230; you also get access to all of our other premium plugins, our <a href=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/the-best-wordpress-hosting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">world-beating WP hosting<\/a>, our ultimate <a href=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/manage-all-your-wordpress-sites-with-the-hub\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">website management platform The Hub<\/a>, 24\/7 expert support, and a whole community of like-minded WP buffs.<\/p>\n<p>Just let us know when you&#8217;re ready to set sail.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When we first set out to build a migration plugin, we reached for the stars. We probably shouldn&#8217;t have. We didn&#8217;t want to build your regular &#8216;zip this up and transfer it across&#8217; plugin that failed on most shared hosts or any sort of decent sized site. And we wanted 100% success rates. Something brand [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":775041,"featured_media":190213,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"blog_reading_time":"","wds_primary_category":0,"wds_primary_tutorials_categories":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,4161,11260],"tags":[],"tutorials_categories":[],"class_list":["post-190004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-plugins","category-wpmudev","category-wpmu-dev-products"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/775041"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=190004"}],"version-history":[{"count":82,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190004\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":190216,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190004\/revisions\/190216"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/190213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=190004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=190004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=190004"},{"taxonomy":"tutorials_categories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tutorials_categories?post=190004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}