How to Move a WordPress Site from DreamHost to Hostinger

Updated 2026-06-27 · Hosting Reviews

Switching hosting providers can feel daunting, but moving your site to a faster, more budget-friendly platform is often worth the effort. If you are looking to cut costs without sacrificing performance, you might be ready to migrate wordpress dreamhost to hostinger. This process is straightforward if you have the right checklist. I have moved dozens of sites over the years, and the key is preparation rather than speed. Don't rush the backup phase, or you will pay for it later with lost data.

Step 1: Prep Your DreamHost Backup

Before you touch anything on the new server, you need a full backup of your current DreamHost setup. Do not rely on your host’s automatic backups for this specific task; create your own manual archive. You need two specific things: your website files and your database. The database contains your posts, pages, and comments, while the files contain your themes, plugins, and images.

Log into your DreamHost panel and navigate to the Backup section. Download the most recent backup of your home directory and your database. If you use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or All-in-One WP Migration, you can generate a backup file directly from your WordPress dashboard. Store these files on your local computer in a dedicated folder. You will need them shortly.

Selecting the Right Hostinger Plan

When setting up your new home, you need to choose a hosting environment that fits your traffic and budget. For most small business WordPress sites, shared hosting is sufficient, typically costing between $3 and $8 per month for intro terms. However, if you are an established business running an e-commerce store, you should look at Managed WordPress hosting or Cloud hosting, which usually ranges from $10 to $20 monthly.

Hostinger is a solid choice here because they offer specific WordPress-optimized servers that handle the technical configuration for you. Their shared plans are incredibly beginner-friendly and usually include a free domain name for the first year, which simplifies the billing. When signing up, ensure you select the operating system as Linux and use the one-click WordPress installer to get the environment ready. This pre-stages the server so you don't have to edit configuration files manually.

The Process to Migrate WordPress DreamHost to Hostinger

Now that you have your data and your new server is live, it is time to execute the move. While you can do this manually via FTP, using a migration plugin is significantly faster and less prone to user error for beginners. Since we want to migrate wordpress dreamhost to hostinger efficiently, I recommend using a dedicated migration plugin.

Here is the standard workflow using a plugin:

1. Install the Plugin: On your old DreamHost site, install a migration plugin like "All-in-One WP Migration" or "Duplicator."
2. Export the File: Use the plugin to create an export file. This bundles your database and files into a single package.
3. Prepare Hostinger: Log into your new Hostinger account and open the hPanel. Install the same plugin on your fresh WordPress installation.
4. Import: Drag and drop the export file you downloaded into the plugin on the new Hostinger site.
5. Replace URLs: The plugin will ask to replace the old domain strings with the new temporary URL provided by Hostinger. Confirm this to proceed.
6. Finalize: Once the import is 100% complete, log out and log back in to ensure your admin dashboard works.

Updating DNS and Finalizing

At this stage, your site lives on Hostinger, but your domain name likely still points to DreamHost. You need to update your Domain Name System (DNS) records to point to the new server. Log into wherever your domain is registered—this might be DreamHost, GoDaddy, or Namecheap.

Find the Nameservers section. Hostinger will provide you with two specific nameserver addresses (usually looking like ns1.hostinger.com). Replace the old DreamHost nameservers with these new ones. This change is not instant; it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 48 hours to propagate worldwide. During this time, some visitors might see the old site while others see the new one.

Optimizing Your New WordPress Website

Once the site is live on Hostinger, do not just walk away. You need to tune it for speed and security. A fresh install is the perfect time to clean house. Delete any unused themes or plugins you brought over from the old host—bloated code slows down your site.

For speed, install a caching plugin. Hostinger servers often work exceptionally well with LiteSpeed Cache if you are on their premium plans, or WP Rocket for general caching. Compress your images using a tool like Smush or ShortPixel to ensure your pages load quickly.

Security is also vital. Hostinger provides a free SSL certificate via Let’s Encrypt. Ensure this is active so your site loads over HTTPS. Go to your WordPress Settings > General and ensure the WordPress Address and Site Address both start with "https." Finally, set up a new backup schedule directly on Hostinger so you never have to worry about data loss again.

FAQ

Will my website go offline during the move?

If you follow the steps above, your old site stays live on DreamHost until you change the DNS nameservers. The downtime is usually limited to the few minutes it takes to copy files if you do it manually, or zero downtime if you use a plugin.

Can I move my email accounts too?

Email migration is a separate process. If you use DreamHost for email, you should set up your email accounts on Hostinger or use a third-party service like Google Workspace before pointing your domain. This ensures you don't lose incoming messages during the switch.

How much does it cost to move?

The migration itself is free if you do it manually using a plugin. The only cost is the new hosting plan. Expect to pay between $3 and $15 monthly depending on whether you choose shared or managed WordPress hosting, though renewal rates are typically higher than introductory prices.