There are many reasons website owners consider transferring their site from one host to another. Some of the leading reasons include pricing, hosting features, offerings, or website owners who want to consolidate multiple websites under one host. Moving your site from one host to another is a daunting task, especially for non-tech-savvy clients.
If you are trying to figure out the most efficient way to transfer to a new web host without experiencing downtime or losing important data, this post is for you. Migrating your site includes downloading and uploading your site files to the new server and updating your DNS.
Getting Ready to Transfer Hosting
There is a specific procedure for moving your site from one host to another. Web hosts have safeguards to prevent domain poachers from moving unsuspecting clients’ websites. Go through HostGator pre-domain-transfer checklist to prepare to transfer your site.
You will also need to do the following in preparation for site transfer.
- Update Your Name Servers: Your website transfer might fail if you try changing your domain during the process. Update your nameservers before commencing transfer to ensure your domain works appropriately.
- Disable WHOIS Privacy: If not disabled, WHOIS privacy will prevent retrieval of verification information, interrupting your transfer.
- Update WHOIS Privacy Information: you will need the WHOIS information to verify domain ownership before the transfer. Update your contact information to ensure you can access the linked email.
- Confirm Domain is 60 Days Old: You cannot transfer a domain within its first two months.
- Unlock Your Domain: Domain lock prevents unauthorized domain transfers. Unlock your domain first to ensure a successful transfer.
- Check Domain’s Expiry Date: It can take up to a week to complete a domain transfer. If your domain expires, it may be locked, interrupting transfer.
- Check that Your Domain is not in Redemption: If your domain is in redemption, you must renew before commencing transfer.
- Get Your EPP Code: You will need your EPP authorization code from your current registrar to transfer your domain. Note that EPP authorization codes expire. It is best to get one when you are ready to transfer your domain.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Transfer Hosting from Bluehost to HostGator
Step 1: Export Your Website Files
The first step to transferring your site is downloading and saving its files and databases. The goal is to capture everything and upload the same to your new hosting provider. You mustn’t change or mess around with the files, as this could disorient your new site structure and functionality.
You can safely download your site files using a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) service. We recommend FileZilla, one of the most widely used free FTP tools. Link your FileZilla account to your Bluehost hosting account and download your site files into a desktop folder.
Step 2. Export Your Database
Note that not all sites have a database. For those without, you can skip this step. Most of those that have one have a MySQL database. You can export this database using the phpMyAdmin app accessible from the Bluehost hosting account cPanel dashboard.
If you are exporting a content management system, you will first have to install the application in your HostGator hosting account. Some CMS, such as WordPress, provide migration plugins that you can use to transfer your files directly.
Step 3: Create a New Database
Before importing your database to your new HostGator hosting account, you need to create a blank database. You can do this by opening the ‘MySQL Databases’ tab found under ‘Databases’ in the control panel. You will be prompted to create a username and provide a password. Ensure to grant this account full privileges before you proceed.
Step 4: Import Your Database
This step will add the database file you downloaded from your Bluehost account to your new HostGator hosting account.
Under the new HostGator database, go to the ‘IMPORT’ tab, click the ‘Choose File’ button and upload the SQL file you downloaded from Bluehost. Click the ‘Go’ button on the bottom and wait for the upload to complete. You will receive a confirmation message once the upload is successful.
Step 5: Upload Your Website Files
Use your FTP account to upload your site files to HostGator. Follow the same steps as before to link your FTP account to your HostGator account and upload your files without changing anything.
Step 6: Update Your DNS Settings
The last step of hosting transfer includes pointing your domain name to HostGator. This step involves replacing your old domain nameservers with the newly acquired HostGator nameservers. Check out our guide on pointing your domain name to HostGator for a detailed procedure. DNS propagation may take up to two days, and your HostGator site will be ready.