How to Migrate Your WordPress Site to Hostinger

Updated 2026-07-05 · Hosting Reviews

How to Migrate WordPress Site to Hostinger

Moving a WordPress site can feel daunting, but with a clear plan and the right hosting partner, the process is straightforward. Hostinger’s one‑click WordPress installer, free SSL, and beginner‑friendly dashboard make it a top choice for small businesses and hobbyists. Below is a practical, no‑fluff guide to help you get your WordPress website online quickly and affordably.

1. Choose the Right Hosting Tier for Your WordPress Site

Hostinger offers three main hosting types that fit WordPress needs: shared, cloud, and VPS. Pick the one that matches your traffic expectations, technical comfort, and budget.

• Shared Hosting ($3‑$10/month) – Ideal for personal blogs, portfolios, and small business sites. It shares server resources with other users but still delivers solid speed for most sites.
• Cloud Hosting ($7‑$20/month) – Scales automatically, offers better uptime, and is great for growing sites that need more resources without the complexity of managing a server.
• VPS Hosting ($20‑$45/month) – Gives root access and full control, suitable for developers or sites with heavy traffic and custom server requirements.

All Hostinger plans include free domain registration for the first year, 24/7 support, and a free SSL certificate, which is essential for security and SEO.

2. Prepare Your Existing WordPress Site for Migration

Before you move, back up everything. A full backup protects against data loss and gives you a fallback if something goes wrong.

1. Install a backup plugin (e.g., UpdraftPlus, BackWPup) and create a full site backup.
2. Export your database via phpMyAdmin or the backup plugin’s export function.
3. Download all WordPress files (including wp-content, themes, plugins, and uploads) through FTP or the host’s file manager.
4. Note your current DNS records, especially any custom domain pointing to a third‑party server.

3. Set Up Your New Hostinger Account

Sign up on Hostinger, choose your desired plan, and register a domain if you don’t already have one. The signup wizard guides you through:

1. Selecting the hosting type and plan.
2. Choosing a domain name or linking an existing domain.
3. Adding optional services like email accounts.
4. Completing payment—initial rates are low, but be aware of renewal pricing.

Once the account is active, you’ll receive access to the Hostinger control panel (hPanel). Here, you can manage files, databases, and WordPress installations.

4. Install WordPress on Hostinger and Migrate Your Content

Hostinger’s one‑click WordPress installer is the quickest route to get your site up. Follow these steps:

1. Log into hPanel and click the WordPress icon under the Auto‑Installers section.
2. Enter a site name, admin username, and password, then click Install.
3. After installation, log into the new WordPress dashboard using the credentials you just created.
4. Install a migration plugin like All-in-One WP Migration or Duplicator on the new site.
5. On the original site, export the database and files via the migration plugin.
6. On the new site, import the backup file. The plugin will handle database tables, media, and settings.
7. Once the import completes, update the siteurl and home options in the database if your domain changed. The migration plugin usually handles this automatically.

After import, test your site: click through pages, check images, and verify that links point to the correct domain. If you encounter any missing media or broken links, use the Search & Replace plugin to fix URLs.

5. Point Your Domain to Hostinger and Verify DNS Propagation

Update your domain’s nameservers to the ones provided by Hostinger. This step transfers DNS control to Hostinger, allowing your domain to resolve to your new server.

1. Log into the registrar where your domain is registered.
2. Replace the existing nameservers with Hostinger’s: ns1.dns-parking.com and ns2.dns-parking.com (check the exact nameservers in your Hostinger control panel).
3. Save changes and wait up to 48 hours for DNS propagation. During this time, your site may flicker between old and new servers.
4. After propagation, visit your domain to confirm the new site is live.

6. Optimize Speed, Security, and Backups for Your New Hostinger Site

With the site live, focus on performance and protection. Hostinger’s built‑in tools make this easy.

• Speed – Enable caching via the HCache plugin or the Cache option in hPanel. Use a lightweight theme (e.g., Astra, GeneratePress) and limit heavy plugins.
• Security – Install Wordfence or Sucuri for firewall and malware scanning. Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated.
• Backups – Schedule automated backups in hPanel or use a plugin. Store backups off‑site (Google Drive, Dropbox) for extra safety.

FAQ

Can I migrate a WordPress site to Hostinger for free?

No, you need to purchase a hosting plan. However, Hostinger’s introductory rates are very low, and the domain registration is free for the first year.

Will my site’s SEO be affected during the migration?

As long as you keep the same domain and update URLs correctly, search engines will recognize the move. Use the Yoast SEO plugin to ensure all meta tags remain intact.

What if the migration fails or my files are missing?

Use the backup you created before migrating. Restore the full backup on Hostinger or revert to your original host until the issue is resolved.