How to Move Your Website to a New Host (Step-by-Step)
Updated 2026-08-22 · Hosting Reviews
Why You’re Moving Your Site
Whether you’re scaling a blog, launching an online store, or upgrading a WordPress site, how to move site to new hosting is a common task for beginners and small businesses. The goal is to keep visitors happy, preserve SEO rankings, and avoid downtime. With the right plan, the move can be painless.
Step 1: Pick the Right Host for Your Site Type
- Blog Website – Look for a host that offers fast page loads and a solid CDN. Shared plans around $3–$10/month are usually enough.
- Online Store / Dropshipping Store – You’ll need PCI‑compliant hosting, plenty of bandwidth, and easy integration with Shopify or WooCommerce. Shared plans at $5–$15/month can work, but a VPS or cloud tier may be safer if you expect rapid growth.
- WordPress Website – Managed WordPress hosting (e.g., Hostinger’s WordPress plans) keeps your site secure, auto‑updates, and fast. Expect $3–$12/month.
- Portfolio / Photography Website – Image‑heavy sites benefit from SSD storage and high transfer limits. Shared plans around $4–$12/month are adequate.
- Small Business / Restaurant / Real Estate – You’ll want a reliable email service, SSL, and the ability to host forms or booking systems. Shared hosting at $3–$12/month works well.
- Membership / Online Course Site – Requires a robust CMS or LMS and strong security. VPS or cloud plans ($10–$30/month) give you control and scalability.
- Nonprofit / Church – Look for discounted or free plans. Shared hosting around $3–$8/month is often enough.
Hostinger consistently offers competitive introductory rates, free SSL, and one‑click WordPress installs, making it a top pick for most small‑business sites.
Step 2: Back Up Everything
Before you switch, create a full backup of your files, databases, and email. Most hosts provide a backup tool or you can use plugins like UpdraftPlus for WordPress. Store the backup on your local machine or a cloud folder.
Step 3: Set Up the New Host
- Sign Up – Choose a plan that fits your budget. Hostinger’s Starter plan ($3–$5/month) is great for blogs and small stores.
- Domain Transfer – If you already own a domain, unlock it and get the EPP code from your current registrar. Add the domain to Hostinger and follow the transfer wizard.
- Install Your CMS – Use the one‑click installer for WordPress or set up a custom stack for other platforms.
- Upload Your Backup – Use FTP/SFTP or the host’s file manager to upload site files. Import databases via phpMyAdmin.
- Check Configurations – Update any hard‑coded URLs, SMTP settings, or API keys. For WordPress, run a search‑and‑replace tool to update site URLs.
Step 4: Test the New Site
Before making the switch live, point a temporary subdomain or use your local hosts file to test the new installation. Verify:
- All pages load correctly.
- Forms, checkout, or membership logins work.
- Images and media display.
- SSL is active (HTTPS).
- Site speed meets expectations (use tools like Google PageSpeed or GTmetrix).
Step 5: Point DNS to the New Host
Once you’re satisfied, update the DNS records at your domain registrar to point to the new host’s nameservers or IP address. DNS changes can take 24–48 hours, but most hosts provide instant propagation.
Step 6: Monitor & Optimize
After the move, monitor traffic, uptime, and error logs. Enable caching plugins, use a CDN, and keep your software updated. Hostinger’s shared plans come with built‑in caching and a free CDN that helps keep load times low.
FAQ
Do I lose my SEO rankings when I move hosts?
Not if you keep your domain and URLs unchanged. Just make sure the new server is fast, secure, and that your 301 redirects are intact.
How long does a host transfer usually take?
Domain transfers typically take 1–5 days. DNS propagation can be as short as a few hours but may take up to 48 hours.
Can I keep my email service when I switch hosts?
Yes. You can either keep your existing email provider or set up email forwarding/hosting on the new host. Many hosts offer free email accounts with domain names.