How to complete website migration seamlessly: A step-by-step guide
Editor’s Note: This post was created in collaboration with and with financial support from Hostinger
Migrating a website might seem complex, especially for businesses that depend on their website for credibility and sales. However, the process can be smooth and stress-free with the right hosting provider and clear steps.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of migrating a website and show how Hostinger simplifies the process with its free website migration service, ensuring minimal downtime and effort.
What is website migration?
Website migration involves transferring your website’s files, databases, and other elements from one hosting provider to another. Common reasons for doing so include improving speed, accessing advanced features, or upgrading to a more reliable service.
Hostinger stands out by offering free website migration for eligible websites, saving you time and ensuring a quick and easy process.
Why choose Hostinger for website migration?
Migrating to Hostinger brings significant benefits:
- Free migration service: Hostinger handles everything from transferring files to verifying functionality.
- Speed and performance: LiteSpeed-powered servers ensure faster loading times and improved reliability.
- Comprehensive support: Hostinger’s 24/7 support team can assist at every step.
- Affordable hosting plans: Tailored for businesses of all sizes, Hostinger ensures you get premium features without breaking the bank.
Important pre-migration notes
Before starting the migration, keep these tips in mind:
- Migrate first, update your domain later. Keep your current website online until the migration is completed to avoid unnecessary downtime.
- Email services must be migrated manually. Refer to Hostinger’s email migration guide for detailed steps.
- Scope of migration: Hostinger’s migration includes website files and databases. However, elements like cron jobs, DNS records, custom SSL configurations, and FTP accounts are not included.
If you’re using platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, or Blogger, note that these require manual recreation. Hostinger Website Builder can help you rebuild your site quickly.
Step 1: Ensure your website meets the requirements
Hostinger’s free migration service is available for websites hosted on other providers and built using open-source CMS platforms like WordPress.org or Joomla. For smooth migration:
- Disable two-factor authentication and anti-bot verification on your current hosting account.
- Ensure there’s enough disk space in your current hosting plan to create backups.
Step 2: Prepare for migration
After confirming that your website is eligible for migration, ensure you have an active hosting plan with Hostinger. If you haven’t set up your plan yet, you can request the migration during the setup process.
Step 3: Submit a migration request
Hostinger makes requesting a migration simple:
- From your dashboard: Navigate to the “Websites” section and click Add Website → Migrate Website.
- Via profile settings: Click on your profile icon and select Migrate Website.
You can submit requests for multiple websites depending on your plan, and the process typically takes 48-96 hours.
Step 4: Verify the migration
Once the migration is complete, you’ll receive an email notification. Use Hostinger’s SkipDNS tool to verify that your website is functioning correctly on the new hosting environment before updating your domain. This allows you to preview the site without affecting the live version.
Step 5: Point your domain to Hostinger
To make your migrated website live, update your domain’s DNS settings:
- Log in to your domain registrar’s account.
- Update the nameservers to:
- ns1.hostinger.com
- ns2.hostinger.com
- Wait for up to 48 hours for the DNS propagation to complete.
Conclusion
Migrating a website to a new host doesn’t have to be stressful. Hostinger offers a free migration service, an optimized hosting environment, and 24/7 support to make the process smooth and efficient.
Whether you’re moving for better performance or scalability, Hostinger ensures that your migration is handled carefully so you can focus on growing your business online.
Ready to make the switch? Get started with Hostinger’s free website migration today!
The post How to complete website migration seamlessly: A step-by-step guide appeared first on EU-Startups.