If you have access to Cpanel this is what I do. Ensure you have up to date backups of EVERYTHING before attempting to make changes to the database.
First if WordPress is installed on your production environment upload your theme files. (sounds like you have done this already)
Second go to Cpanel on your Development environment and select PHP MyAdmin.
- Select the database for the WordPress install you have been working on.
- Then click on the export option at the top of the screen
- select the custom option for exporting your database
- select all of the tables EXCEPT for wp_options
- for the output select save output to a file
- scroll down to Object Creation Options
- Check all three options (1. Add drop TABLE, 2. Add CREATE PROCEDURE and 3. CREATE TABLE options: )
- Click Go (this should download the export of your database.)
Then, go to the cpanel for your production enviornment and select the PHP MyAdmin
- Select the database for the production installation of your WordPress
site - Then click on Import.
- Broswe to select your the database file you downloaded.
- Click Upload.
Once the database has been uploaded you may need to go into the dashboard > settings > permalinks. Just loading this page will refresh your permalinks. No need to make any changes but there are times when I have seen a 404 error. Refreshing permalinks usually solves this problem for me.
Once you receive a success message after uploading make sure you go activate the theme in the admin area.
That has worked for me many times when I have had similar issues to the one you are having now.