Step-by-Step Guide on Free Hosting Migration from Bluehost to Hostinger, Migrate Your Website to a New Hosting Provider through Manual Migration
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Free Migrate Your Website from Bluehost to Hostinger
Are you considering moving your website from one web hosting provider to another like migrating from Bluehost to Hostinger? Whether it’s to find better hosting services, cost-effective plans, or to consolidate multiple websites onto one hosting platform, website migration can be a crucial step for website owners.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the process of migrating a website from one hosting provider to another or migrating from Bluehost to Hostinger, using a real-life example.
Why Website Migration Required?
Before going into the migration process, it’s essential to understand why website owners might want to move their sites to a different hosting provider.
In this case, I am using Bluehost and am looking to migrate to Hostinger. Hostinger offers shared hosting that accommodates multiple websites on a single plan, making it a convenient choice for those managing multiple online projects.
Options for Free Website Migration
Before initiating the migration process, We have three primary options to consider:
Utilize the Hosting Provider’s Free Migration Service:
Some hosting providers, like Hostinger, offer free migration services when you purchase a hosting plan from them. However, this service is typically available for WordPress websites only. For websites built on platforms like Blogger, Wix, or Shopify, this option may not be viable.
Use Free Migration Plugins:
You can opt to use migration plugins to transfer your WordPress websites. While there are free plugins available, they may not always be reliable and could lead to issues or website crashes. Some popular migration plugins include Updraft Plus, Backup Buddy, and Vault Press.
Manual Migration:
The third and often more controlled option is to migrate the website manually. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps involved in manually transferring a website from one hosting provider to another or Website Migration from Bluehost to Hostinger.
Step-by-Step Manual Website Migration Guide
Transfer the Domain Name:
- Sign up with the new hosting provider, in this case, Hostinger.
- On the Hostinger dashboard, navigate to “Domains.”
- Select “Transfer an existing domain” and follow the prompts.
- Unlock the domain name at your previous registrar (e.g., Namecheap or GoDaddy).
- Obtain an authentication code and enter it on Hostinger.
Purchase Web Hosting:
- Choose the hosting plan that suits your needs (e.g., premium web hosting).
- Complete the payment process.
Download Website Files:
- Access your old hosting provider’s dashboard (e.g., Bluehost).
- Note the PHP version your website is using.
- Compress the “public_html” directory and download it.
Download the Database:
- Access phpMyAdmin on your old hosting provider.
- Export your website’s database and save it on your computer.
Upload Website Files:
- On the new hosting provider’s dashboard (Hostinger), choose “File Manager.”
- Upload the compressed website files and unzip them.
Upload the Database:
- Create a new MySQL database on Hostinger with a username and password.
- Import the database file you downloaded earlier into the new database.
Update wp-config.php:
- Locate and edit the “wp-config.php” file in the “public_html” directory.
- Update the database name, username, and password with the information from the new database.
Set PHP Version:
Ensure that the PHP version on Hostinger matches the version noted by your previous hosting provider.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully migrated your website from one hosting provider to another manually. While website migration may seem difficult, but following these step-by-step instructions can make the process relatively straightforward. Remember to verify that your website functions correctly on the new hosting provider and keep backups of your data as a precaution.
Migrating your website can be a smart decision when looking for improved services, more cost-effective plans, or better consolidation options. Make sure to choose the migration method that suits your website platform and needs best, and don’t hesitate to seek assistance or clarification from your hosting providers if necessary.
