How to Migrate a Website to Hostinger (Manual + Free Tool)

How to Migrate a Website to Hostinger (Manual + Free Tool)

Website migration can sound like a daunting task, fraught with technical jargon and the fear of data loss or extended downtime. However, whether you’re chasing better performance, enhanced security, or more responsive customer support, moving your website to a new host like Hostinger is a journey many site owners eventually embark on.

Hostinger has gained significant popularity for its user-friendly hPanel, robust performance, and excellent value. If you’re looking to make the switch, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll cover two primary methods: a detailed step-by-step manual migration process that gives you full control, and leveraging Hostinger’s free automated migration tool for a hassle-free transfer.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to safely and efficiently move your website, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal disruption.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Website Migration
• Method 1: Manual Website Migration to Hostinger (Step-by-Step)

  • Preparation is Key
  • Step 1: Set Up Your Hosting with Hostinger
  • Step 2: Transfer Your Website Files
  • Step 3: Export and Import Your Database
  • Step 4: Update Your Website’s Configuration File
  • Step 5: Test Your Website Before Going Live
  • Step 6: Update DNS Nameservers

• Method 2: Migrate Website to Hostinger Using the Free Automated Tool

  • When to Use This Method
  • Step 1: Initiate Migration Request
  • Step 2: Provide Website Details
  • Step 3: Monitor and Verify

• Choosing the Right Migration Method
• Post-Migration Checklist
• Conclusion
• FAQ

Understanding Website Migration

At its core, website migration involves moving all the components of your existing website – files, database, and domain settings – from one web host to another. This process ensures that your site remains accessible and functional at its new location.

Why consider migrating to Hostinger? Many users choose Hostinger for several compelling reasons:

• Optimized Performance: Hostinger utilizes LiteSpeed servers and comes with built-in caching, promising faster loading times for your visitors.
• User-Friendly hPanel: Their custom control panel, hPanel, is intuitive and makes managing your hosting, domains, and emails straightforward, even for beginners.
• Affordability: Hostinger offers competitive pricing for a wide range of hosting plans, including shared, VPS, and cloud hosting.
• 24/7 Customer Support: Reliable support is crucial during migration. Hostinger offers round-the-clock assistance to help you with any issues.
• Free Tools: From a free SSL certificate to their free website migration tool, Hostinger provides resources to make your website management easier.

Now, let’s dive into the practical steps for migrating your website.

Method 1: Manual Website Migration to Hostinger (Step-by-Step)

Manual migration offers complete control over the process, making it ideal for those who are comfortable with technical aspects or have specific requirements. It involves transferring your website files and database separately.

Preparation is Key

Before you begin, a little preparation will save you a lot of headaches. This is arguably the most critical stage of the entire migration.

1. Backup Everything: This cannot be stressed enough. Create a full backup of your entire website, including all files and the database, from your current hosting provider. Store this backup securely on your local computer. This serves as a safety net in case anything goes wrong.
2. Gather Credentials: You’ll need access details for both your old host and your new Hostinger account.

   • Old Host: cPanel/Plesk login, FTP/SFTP credentials (hostname, username, password, port), phpMyAdmin login.
   • Hostinger: hPanel login, FTP/SFTP credentials (you can create these in hPanel), MySQL database credentials (will create these during the process).

3. Domain Access: Ensure you have access to your domain registrar’s control panel to update nameservers later.

Step 1: Set Up Your Hosting with Hostinger

If you haven’t already, the first step is to purchase a hosting plan with Hostinger and complete the initial setup.

1. Choose a Plan: Select a Hostinger hosting plan that suits your needs. For most websites, a Premium Shared Hosting or Business Shared Hosting plan is a great starting point.
2. Sign Up & Initial Setup: Follow the prompts to create your account. You’ll be guided through the initial setup, including choosing a domain (you can select “Use an existing domain” if you’re migrating one).

   • Screenshot Description: Hostinger’s hPanel dashboard after successful login, showing the main navigation and website management options.

3. Access hPanel: Once your account is set up, log in to your Hostinger hPanel. This is your central hub for managing your new hosting environment.

Step 2: Transfer Your Website Files

Your website files include everything from your HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, and PHP scripts to WordPress core files and themes/plugins. These are typically located in your public_html directory on your old server.

Option A: Using FTP (FileZilla Recommended)

This is the most common method for manual file transfer.

1. Download Files from Old Host:

   • Connect to your old hosting account via an FTP client like FileZilla. You’ll need the FTP hostname, username, and password provided by your old host.
   • Navigate to your public_html (or equivalent) directory.
   • Select all the files and folders within your website’s root directory and download them to a folder on your local computer. This might take some time depending on your website’s size and internet speed.
   • Screenshot Description: FileZilla interface showing files being downloaded from a remote site to a local directory.

2. Upload Files to Hostinger:

   • Now, connect to your Hostinger account via FTP. You can find your FTP credentials in hPanel under Files -> FTP Accounts.
   • Navigate to your public_html directory on Hostinger’s server.
   • Upload all the files and folders you downloaded from your old host into Hostinger’s public_html directory. Ensure all hidden files (like .htaccess) are also transferred.
   • Tip: Configure FileZilla to show hidden files (Server -> Force showing hidden files) to ensure you transfer everything.

Option B: Using cPanel File Manager (for source host) and Hostinger File Manager

If your old host uses cPanel and your site is large, zipping files can be faster.

1. Zip Files on Old Host (cPanel):

   • Log in to your old host’s cPanel.
   • Go to File Manager, navigate to your public_html directory.
   • Select all files and folders, then right-click and choose Compress. Select Zip Archive and create an archive.
   • Download this .zip file to your computer.

2. Upload to Hostinger File Manager:

   • Log in to your Hostinger hPanel.
   • Go to Files -> File Manager.
   • Navigate to your public_html directory.
   • Click the Upload icon and select the .zip file you downloaded.
   • Once uploaded, right-click the .zip file and select Extract to unzip its contents into public_html.
   • Screenshot Description: Hostinger’s File Manager showing the upload button and the option to extract a compressed file.

Step 3: Export and Import Your Database

Your database contains all dynamic content, such as posts, pages, comments, user data, and settings for CMS platforms like WordPress.

Export from Old Host (phpMyAdmin):

1. Log in to your old host’s cPanel and access phpMyAdmin.
2. Select the database associated with your website from the left sidebar.
3. Click on the Export tab at the top.
4. Choose Custom for the export method.
5. Ensure SQL is selected for the format.
6. Under Output, make sure Save output to a file is checked.
7. Scroll down and click Go. Your database will be downloaded as an .sql file.

   • Screenshot Description: phpMyAdmin export settings, highlighting ‘Custom’ method and ‘SQL’ format.

Create New Database on Hostinger:

1. Log in to your Hostinger hPanel.
2. Go to Databases -> MySQL Databases.
3. Under Create New MySQL Database, enter a New Database Name and create a New MySQL User with a strong Password.
4. Click Create. Make sure to note down the Database Name, Database User, and Password – you’ll need these later.

   • Screenshot Description: Hostinger’s ‘MySQL Databases’ interface showing fields for creating a new database and user.

Import to Hostinger (phpMyAdmin):

1. In Hostinger hPanel, under MySQL Databases, you’ll see a list of your databases. Next to the database you just created, click Enter phpMyAdmin.
2. Once in phpMyAdmin for your new database, select your database from the left sidebar (it should be empty).
3. Click on the Import tab at the top.
4. Click Choose file and select the .sql file you exported from your old host.
5. Leave other settings as default and click Go. Your database content will now be imported.

   • Screenshot Description: Hostinger’s phpMyAdmin import interface, showing the ‘Choose file’ button and ‘Go’ to initiate import.
   • Common Pitfall: If your database is very large, phpMyAdmin might time out. In such cases, you might need to import it via SSH or contact Hostinger support for assistance.

Step 4: Update Your Website’s Configuration File

Most CMS platforms, like WordPress, have a configuration file that connects your website to its database. You need to update this file with the new Hostinger database credentials you created in Step 3.

1. Locate the Configuration File:

   • For WordPress, this file is wp-config.php, located in your public_html directory.
   • For other CMS platforms, the file name might vary (e.g., configuration.php for Joomla, local.xml for Magento).

2. Edit the File:

   • In Hostinger’s File Manager, navigate to public_html and find your configuration file.
   • Right-click the file and choose Edit.

3. Update Database Details:

   • Find the lines that define the database name, user, password, and host.

   • For WordPress, these look like:
     php
     define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘old_database_name’);
     define(‘DB_USER’, ‘old_username’);
     define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘old_password’);
     define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’); // Often ‘localhost’ for Hostinger

   • Replace old_database_name, old_username, and old_password with the new database name, user, and password you created in Hostinger hPanel. DB_HOST for Hostinger is typically localhost.

   • Code Snippet: Updated wp-config.php database connection details.

   • Important for WordPress: If you changed your domain name or if your site was configured with a temporary URL on the old host, you might also need to update the siteurl and home options in the wp_options table directly via phpMyAdmin after migration, or use a search-and-replace plugin once the site is semi-functional.

Step 5: Test Your Website Before Going Live

Before pointing your domain to Hostinger, it’s crucial to test if your website functions correctly on the new server. This prevents any downtime for your visitors.

You can do this by modifying your computer’s hosts file. This tells your computer to look for your domain on Hostinger’s server specifically, without affecting what other visitors see.

1. Find Hostinger’s IP Address: In your Hostinger hPanel, go to Hosting -> Details (for your specific domain). You’ll find the Server IP address there.
2. Edit Your Hosts File:

   • Windows: Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc, open the hosts file with Notepad (run as Administrator).
   • macOS/Linux: Open Terminal and type sudo nano /etc/hosts.

3. Add Entry: Add a new line at the bottom of the file in the format:
   [Hostinger IP Address] yourdomain.com www.yourdomain.com
   Example: 185.123.456.789 yourwebsite.com www.yourwebsite.com
4. Save and Clear Cache: Save the hosts file. Then, clear your browser’s cache.
5. Test: Open your web browser and visit yourdomain.com. You should now be seeing your website loading from Hostinger’s server. Thoroughly check all pages, forms, images, and links.
6. Remove Hosts File Entry: Once testing is complete, remember to remove the entry from your hosts file.

Step 6: Update DNS Nameservers

Once you’re confident that your website is working perfectly on Hostinger, the final step is to point your domain to the new server.

1. Find Hostinger Nameservers: In your Hostinger hPanel, go to Hosting -> Details. You’ll find your Nameservers listed there (usually ns1.dns-parking.com and ns2.dns-parking.com, but check your specific account).

   • Screenshot Description: Hostinger’s ‘Hosting Details’ page, showing the nameserver information clearly.

2. Access Domain Registrar: Log in to your domain registrar’s account (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains).
3. Update Nameservers:

   • Navigate to the DNS Management or Nameserver settings for your domain.
   • Replace your old nameservers with Hostinger’s nameservers.
   • Save the changes.
   • Tip: If your domain is registered with Hostinger, you can manage this directly in hPanel under Domains.

DNS Propagation: It takes time for these changes to propagate across the internet, typically 2-24 hours, but sometimes up to 48 hours. During this period, some visitors might still see your old site, while others see the new one. Your website will not experience downtime; it will simply be served from the old host until the DNS fully updates globally.

Method 2: Migrate Website to Hostinger Using the Free Automated Tool

If the manual process seems too complex or time-consuming, Hostinger offers a free automated migration tool that simplifies the entire transfer. This is an excellent option for beginners or those with standard website setups.

When to Use This Method

• Beginners: If you’re not comfortable with FTP, databases, or editing configuration files.
• Time-Saving: You want Hostinger’s experts to handle the heavy lifting.
• Standard Websites: Most WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, or basic HTML sites are good candidates.
• No Specific Customizations: If your site doesn’t have highly unusual or complex configurations that require manual intervention.

Step 1: Initiate Migration Request

1. Log in to hPanel: Access your Hostinger hPanel.
2. Navigate to Migration: From the main dashboard, go to Website -> Migrate Website.

   • Screenshot Description: Hostinger hPanel main menu with ‘Migrate Website’ option highlighted.

Step 2: Provide Website Details

You’ll be presented with a form to submit your website’s details. Accuracy here is crucial for a smooth transfer.

1. Select Website Type: Indicate if it’s a WordPress site, other CMS, or a custom website.
2. Enter Domain Name: Provide the domain of the website you want to migrate.
3. Choose Migration Method: Hostinger usually provides options for cPanel, FTP, or WordPress admin credentials. Choose the one you’re most comfortable providing.

   • WordPress: Requires your WordPress admin URL, username, and password.
   • cPanel: Requires your old host’s cPanel URL, username, and password.
   • FTP: Requires FTP hostname, username, password, and the path to your website files.

4. Confirm Ownership: You might need to confirm ownership of the domain via a DNS record or by logging into your old hosting.
5. Submit Request: Double-check all information, then click Submit Request.

   • Screenshot Description: Hostinger’s migration request form, showing fields for website type, domain, and credential input.

Step 3: Monitor and Verify

Once you submit the request, Hostinger’s dedicated migration team will take over.

1. Status Updates: You’ll receive notifications via email or within your hPanel regarding the progress of your migration.
2. Review Migrated Site: Once the migration is complete, you’ll be instructed to review your website on Hostinger’s servers (often via a temporary URL or by modifying your hosts file as in Method 1).
3. Update DNS: If everything looks good, the final step is to update your domain’s nameservers to point to Hostinger, just as in Step 6 of the manual migration.
4. Clear Cache: After DNS propagation, remember to clear your website’s cache (if using a caching plugin or CDN) and your browser cache.

   • Tip: Don’t cancel your old hosting account immediately. Keep it active for a week or two after the migration is complete and fully tested on Hostinger, just in case you need to revert or grab any forgotten files.

Choosing the Right Migration Method

Both manual and automated methods have their advantages. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

For most users, especially those new to website management, the Hostinger Automated Migration Tool is the recommended choice due to its simplicity and the support of Hostinger’s team. If you’re an experienced developer or have a highly customized setup, the manual method gives you granular control.

Post-Migration Checklist

After your website is successfully migrated and DNS has propagated, ensure everything is running smoothly:

• Thoroughly Test Your Website: Visit every page, test all forms, internal links, external links, comments, and e-commerce functionalities (if applicable).
• Check Permalinks (WordPress): If you’re on WordPress, go to Settings -> Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and simply click Save Changes (even if you don’t make any changes). This refreshes your .htaccess file and ensures all links work correctly.
• Clear Caches: Clear your website’s cache (if using a caching plugin), Hostinger’s server cache (if enabled in hPanel), and your browser cache.
• Verify SSL Certificate: Ensure your free SSL certificate is active and your site loads securely (HTTPS). You can activate it in hPanel under SSL.
• Update CDN Settings: If you use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Cloudflare, update its DNS settings to reflect your Hostinger IP address or nameservers.
• Test Email Accounts: If you migrated email accounts, send and receive test emails to ensure they are fully functional.
• Monitor Website Performance: Use tools like GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights to check your site’s loading speed and performance on Hostinger.
• Cancel Old Hosting Account: Once you’re absolutely certain that your site is stable and performing well on Hostinger, you can cancel your old hosting account. Give it at least a week or two buffer period after migration.

Conclusion

Migrating a website to Hostinger doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal. By following this guide, you now have two powerful methods at your disposal: the detailed, control-rich manual migration, and the convenient, hands-off automated migration tool provided by Hostinger.

Whether you prefer to roll up your sleeves and handle every file and database entry yourself or let Hostinger’s experts manage the process, the key is careful preparation, thorough testing, and patience during DNS propagation. With Hostinger’s robust features and dedicated support, you’re well on your way to a faster, more reliable website experience.

Did you successfully migrate your website? Share your experience or any tips you discovered in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you.

FAQ

Q1: How long does website migration to Hostinger take?
A1: Manual migration can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on your website’s size and your technical proficiency. Hostinger’s automated migration typically takes 24-48 hours, though complex sites might take longer. DNS propagation can add another 2-48 hours to both methods.

Q2: Will my website experience downtime during migration?
A2: If done correctly, downtime can be minimized or even avoided. By testing your site on the new server before updating DNS nameservers, you ensure a seamless transition. During DNS propagation, some visitors might briefly see the old site while others see the new one, but your site remains accessible.

Q3: What if I encounter issues during the migration?
A3: If you’re performing a manual migration, Hostinger’s 24/7 customer support team is available via live chat to assist you with any hPanel or server-related issues. If you used the automated migration tool, their team handles troubleshooting for you.

Q4: Do I need to change my domain registrar?
A4: No, not necessarily. You only need to update your domain’s nameservers at your current registrar to point to Hostinger. You can choose to transfer your domain registration to Hostinger later if you prefer, but it’s not a requirement for migration.

Q5: Can I migrate any type of website to Hostinger?
A5: Most common websites, including those built with WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, other CMS platforms, and custom HTML/PHP sites, can be migrated. Very complex setups or highly specialized applications might require more advanced manual intervention, but Hostinger’s team is usually equipped to handle a wide range of sites.

Q6: What if my website is very large (e.g., several GB)?
A6: For very large websites, manual FTP transfers can be slow. Using the cPanel file manager to zip and download/upload the site is often faster. Hostinger’s automated migration tool is also well-equipped to handle larger sites, as their team uses optimized methods for transfer.

Q7: Should I backup my site before migration?
A7: Absolutely! Creating a full backup of your website (files and database) from your old host is the most crucial step. It provides a safety net and allows you to restore your site if any unforeseen issues arise during the migration process.

Ready to give your website a new home? Start your migration journey to Hostinger today and experience optimized performance!

Fash ViRal

लेटेस्ट अपडेट्स, ट्रेंडिंग न्यूज़, वायरल टॉपिक्स, फैशन से जुड़ी जानकारी और बहुत कुछ। मोबाइल लॉन्च, टेक तुलना और ताज़ा मुद्दों पर इन-डेप्थ आर्टिकल्स के साथ हमेशा रहें अपडेटेड