How to Move a WordPress Site to Bluehost: Step-by-Step

Updated 2026-09-26 · Hosting Reviews

Why Move a WordPress Site to Bluehost?

Moving a WordPress site to Bluehost means swapping to a host that offers fast, secure, and budget‑friendly servers. Bluehost’s one‑click WordPress installer, free SSL, and beginner‑friendly interface make it a top pick for anyone launching or upgrading a blog website.

What You Need Before You Start

• Current hosting account and login credentials
• Domain name (you can keep the same domain or register a new one with Bluehost)
• Access to cPanel or an equivalent control panel on the old host
• WordPress backup plugin (UpdraftPlus, Duplicator, etc.) or manual export tools
• Knowledge of FTP/SFTP or a file manager for file transfer

Choosing the Right Bluehost Plan

Bluehost offers shared, cloud, and VPS options. For most new blogs, the shared hosting tier is ideal:

• Cost: $3–$15/month depending on the chosen plan and billing cycle.
• Includes 1 website, unlimited bandwidth, and 1‑click WordPress.
• Ideal for traffic up to a few thousand visitors per month.

If you anticipate rapid growth or need isolated resources, consider the cloud or VPS plans, which start around $10/month and offer scalable CPU/RAM.

Step‑by‑Step: Moving Your WordPress Site

1. Backup Your Site
   Use a plugin to export all files and the database. Store the backup locally and upload it to a secure cloud folder.
2. Purchase Bluehost Hosting
   Select the shared plan that fits your budget. During checkout, you can register a new domain or transfer an existing one.
3. Install WordPress on Bluehost
   Log into the Bluehost control panel, click “Auto‑Installer,” choose WordPress, and fill in the required details. Let the installer set up the database and admin user.
4. Upload Your Backup
   Use Bluehost’s file manager or an FTP client to upload the backup files to the public_html folder.
5. Import the Database
   Log into phpMyAdmin (provided by Bluehost), create a new database, and import the SQL dump from your backup.
6. Update wp-config.php
   Replace the database name, user, and password in wp-config.php with the new Bluehost credentials.
7. Point Your Domain
   If you registered the domain with Bluehost, it’s already pointing. If not, update the DNS records at your domain registrar to Bluehost’s nameservers.
8. Test Your Site
   Visit your domain, log in to the WordPress dashboard, and verify that all posts, pages, and plugins are intact.
9. Activate Free SSL
   In Bluehost’s control panel, enable the free SSL certificate for your domain to ensure secure HTTPS access.
10. Set Up Security Plugins
    Install and configure Wordfence or Sucuri for basic protection, and schedule regular backups.
11. Optimize Speed
    Enable Bluehost’s built‑in caching and install a lightweight caching plugin like WP Rocket Lite.
12. Launch and Monitor
    Publish your first post, monitor traffic via Google Analytics, and adjust your hosting plan if traffic grows.

Speed & Security Basics for a Blog

Fast loading times and strong security keep readers engaged and protect your content. Bluehost’s servers use SSD storage, which boosts speed, and the free SSL certificate encrypts data. Add a CDN, enable GZIP compression, and keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date.

Cost Summary

Initial monthly cost on Bluehost’s shared plan starts at current promotional pricing, rising to current pricing for higher‑tier plans. Domain registration is typically $10–$20/year, often discounted if bundled with hosting. Renewal rates may be higher, so factor that into long‑term budgeting.

FAQ

How long does the migration take?

For a standard blog with a few thousand pages, the whole process usually takes 1–2 hours, assuming you have a solid backup and internet connection.

Can I keep my current domain?

Yes. Simply update the DNS records to point to Bluehost’s nameservers; the domain itself stays with your registrar.

What if I hit a “404” error after moving?

Check that the .htaccess file was uploaded correctly and that permalinks are set to “Post name” in Settings → Permalinks. Re‑save the settings to regenerate the rewrite rules.