Domain Transfer Made Easy: Moving Your Existing Site to Hostinger

Updated 2026-06-03 · Hosting Reviews

Moving a domain to a new host can feel like a technical marathon, but it doesn’t have to be. This guide walks you through a domain transfer while moving your site to Hostinger, covering everything from choosing the right hosting plan to configuring DNS and a professional business email. Follow the steps, and you’ll be online with a fast, secure, and affordable setup in under an hour.

What You Need Before You Start

Gather these items first so the transfer goes smoothly:

• Current domain registrar login – you’ll need to unlock the domain and get an authorization (EPP) code.
• Access to your existing website files – either via FTP, a backup plugin, or a zip export from a website builder.
• Choice of platform – WordPress, a drag‑and‑drop builder, or a static site.
• Hosting plan – shared, cloud, or VPS, depending on traffic and budget.
• Business email needs – do you want a simple @yourdomain address or a full suite (e.g., G Suite/Google Workspace)?

Choosing the Right Hostinger Plan for Your Site

Hostinger offers three main tiers that work for most beginners and small businesses:

1. Shared hosting – ideal for low‑traffic blogs or brochure sites. Expect costs around $3‑$7 per month (intro price). Resources are shared, but Hostinger’s LiteSpeed servers keep load times low.
2. Cloud hosting – a step up in performance and isolation. Good for growing e‑commerce or membership sites. Prices typically range $10‑$15 per month.
3. VPS hosting – dedicated virtual resources for high‑traffic or custom‑stack apps. Starts near $15 and can go higher based on RAM/CPU.

If you’re just starting and using WordPress or a simple builder, shared hosting is more than enough. You can always upgrade later without moving the domain again.

Preparing Your Domain for Transfer

Hostinger makes the transfer process straightforward, but you still need to do a few housekeeping tasks at your current registrar:

• Unlock the domain – most registrars keep domains locked to prevent hijacking.
• Disable privacy protection – the EPP code is sent to the registrant’s email, so privacy services must be off.
• Get the EPP/Auth code – a 10‑15 character string that proves you own the domain.
• Check the expiration date – transfers cannot happen within 60 days of a recent registration or previous transfer.

Once you have the code, log into your Hostinger account, choose “Domain Transfer,” enter the domain, and paste the EPP code. Hostinger will verify ownership and start the transfer, which usually completes within 5‑7 days. You’ll receive email updates at each stage.

Setting Up Hosting, WordPress, and Business Email

While the domain is moving, you can already provision your new hosting environment:

1. Purchase the chosen Hostinger plan. The checkout includes a free SSL certificate and a one‑click WordPress installer.
2. Install WordPress (or your preferred platform). Use the control panel’s “Auto Installer” to spin up a site in minutes.
3. Upload or import your content. If you have a WordPress backup, use the “All‑in‑One WP Migration” plugin. For static sites, upload the files via the File Manager or FTP.
4. Configure DNS. After the domain transfer finishes, point the domain’s nameservers to Hostinger’s (ns1.dns-parking.com, ns2.dns-parking.com). This change propagates in 24‑48 hours.
5. Create a business email address. Hostinger’s “Email Accounts” feature lets you add addresses like info@yourdomain.com. For more advanced collaboration tools, consider linking the domain to Google Workspace – Hostinger provides easy integration guides.

With SSL active, your site will load over HTTPS automatically, improving security and SEO.

Speed, Security, and Ongoing Costs

Even a budget plan can be fast and safe if you follow a few basics:

• Enable caching. Hostinger’s LiteSpeed cache plugin works out of the box for WordPress.
• Use a CDN. Many free CDNs (Cloudflare) integrate with Hostinger’s DNS with just a few clicks.
• Keep software up to date. WordPress core, themes, and plugins should be updated regularly to patch vulnerabilities.
• Back up regularly. Hostinger offers automated daily backups on most plans; enable them to avoid data loss.

Initial pricing is often promotional, so expect renewal rates to be a bit higher—usually $5‑$12 per month for shared hosting. Domain registration typically costs $10‑$15 per year, with discounts for the first year. These ranges keep the total cost under $20/month for a fully functional site with business email.

Quick Step‑by‑Step Checklist

Copy this list and tick items off as you go:

1. Log into current registrar → unlock domain, turn off privacy, copy EPP code.
2. Sign up for a Hostinger plan that matches your traffic needs.
3. Start the domain transfer in Hostinger’s dashboard; paste the EPP code.
4. While waiting, install WordPress (or another platform) via Hostinger’s Auto Installer.
5. Import your site content or upload files.
6. After transfer completes, update the domain’s nameservers to Hostinger’s.
7. Activate free SSL and enable caching plugin.
8. Create at least one professional business email address.
9. Set up a free CDN (e.g., Cloudflare) for extra speed.
10. Schedule regular backups and keep software updated.

That’s it—your domain is now hosted on Hostinger, your site runs fast, and you have a professional email address that matches your brand.

FAQ

How long does a domain transfer to Hostinger take?

Most transfers finish within 5‑7 days after you submit the EPP code. You’ll receive status emails, and the domain will point to Hostinger’s nameservers once completed.

Will my website be down during the transfer?

If you keep the original site live until the DNS change propagates, visitors will see the old site for a few hours. After you switch nameservers, the new Hostinger site becomes live almost instantly, so downtime is minimal.

Do I need a separate service for business email?

No. Hostinger includes basic email accounts with most plans, and you can upgrade to Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 if you need advanced collaboration tools. Both integrate easily with a domain hosted at Hostinger.