Web Hosting Migration – How to Switch Hosts Safely

Moving hosts is mostly a careful copy followed by a DNS change. Done in the right order, visitors never notice.

The safe order

Back up files, databases and email.
Set up the new hosting and copy everything across (or use the host's free migration).
Test the site on the new host before switching.
Lower your DNS TTL a day before, then change DNS or nameservers.
Keep the old hosting for a week or two, then cancel.

If you are moving the domain too, see Hostinger domain transfer.

Questions answered on this page

How do I transfer a website from GoDaddy to Hostinger?
Which web hosts offer free professional migration assistance?
Why is my website loading slowly on shared hosting servers?
How do I change web hosting providers without losing emails?
What are the signs it is time to upgrade from shared hosting to a VPS?
How do I point an external domain name to a new web host?
How long does a website transfer take between hosting companies?
What happens to my database when I switch web hosting providers?
How do I safely back up my files before changing web hosts?
Which web host handles seamless cPanel to cPanel migrations?

Key terms

Wordpress migration service: Many hosts move WordPress sites for free, by plugin or by their support team.
Web hosting migration: Migration means copying files, databases and email to a new host, testing, then switching DNS. Migrate to Hostinger.
Transfer web hosting: Moving hosting is separate from moving the domain; you can move one without the other.
Switch website host: Back up, copy, test, lower the DNS TTL, switch, and keep the old host for a week or two.
Free site migration host: Many hosts migrate sites for free; check how many sites and whether email is included.

Need a domain for it?

Search names that are free now on the deleted domains list, browse expired domains with history, or check any name in the domain checker. New to old names? Read building a site on an expired domain.

More hosting guides

Frequently asked questions

How do I transfer a website from GoDaddy to Hostinger?

Back up the site, create the website in Hostinger and use its migration request or copy the files and database yourself, test it, then point the domain at Hostinger. You can keep the domain at GoDaddy or transfer it to Hostinger.

Which web hosts offer free professional migration assistance?

Many hosts migrate sites for free, especially WordPress, often limited to one or a few sites. Check what is included (email, databases, several sites) on the host's migration page.

Why is my website loading slowly on shared hosting servers?

Common causes are too little memory or CPU for your traffic, no caching, large images, slow plugins or a server far from your visitors. Fix caching and images first; if it is still slow, upgrade the plan or move.

How do I change web hosting providers without losing emails?

Set up the same mailboxes on the new host, copy old messages with IMAP or a migration tool, then switch the MX records. Keep the old mailboxes for a few days to catch mail sent during the change.

What are the signs it is time to upgrade from shared hosting to a VPS?

Regular slowdowns at busy times, resource limit warnings, needing root access or custom software, or running several busy sites. A VPS gives you guaranteed resources.

How do I point an external domain name to a new web host?

Either change the domain's nameservers to the ones your host gives you, or keep your DNS and change the A record (and the www record) to the host's IP address.

How long does a website transfer take between hosting companies?

Copying a small site takes minutes to hours; DNS changes usually spread within a few hours and can take up to 48. Domain transfers between registrars typically take up to five to seven days.

What happens to my database when I switch web hosting providers?

Nothing, unless you leave it behind. Export it from the old host, import it on the new one and update the site's settings with the new database name, user and password.

How do I safely back up my files before changing web hosts?

Download a full copy of your files, export every database, and save email if it is hosted there. Keep the backups somewhere other than both hosts, and check you can open them.

Which web host handles seamless cPanel to cPanel migrations?

Hosts that use cPanel can often transfer a whole cPanel account in one step. Moving to a host with a different panel, such as Hostinger's hPanel, uses its own migration tool or a manual copy.