Migrating Web Content, Files and Databases

HostGator offers professional services, tools, and resources that simplify migrating your website's content, files, and databases quickly and easily. You can either use HostGator's professional migration service or migrate the website yourself. Please note that migrating your website yourself can be a technical challenge, requiring knowledge of FTP, databases, and domain name settings. While it may save you money, you need the right skills and time to avoid downtime or data loss. If you are not confident in the process, think about using professional migration services for a smoother transition.

Before You Begin

Understand your needs - Consider how complex your website is and your comfort level with technical procedures. This method works best for users familiar with cPanel or FTP access.
Gather your credentials - You'll need login information for both your current hosting provider's control panel (cPanel) and your HostGator account.
Create a backup - Create a recent backup of your website's files and database in case of unforeseen issues.

When migrating your website to a new host, you will need to move three main components:

Website Content - This includes all the text, images, videos, and other files that make up your website.
Files - This refers to any additional files necessary for your website's functionality, such as your website's code (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and configuration files.
Databases - If your website has a database to store information, you will need to move this database to your new HostGator server as well.

Migrate the Website Yourself

We strongly recommend using HostGator's professional migration services. However, if you prefer to handle the migration yourself, you have that option as well. You might consider migrating your website yourself if you do not qualify for a free migration or if you want to complete the process immediately without waiting for the migration team (for example, you may be able to do it overnight while it normally takes us a few days).

Step 1: Migrate your website files to your new host using File Manager or FTP

To manually migrate your website contents:

Download a backup of your site's files from the existing hosting provider.
Transfer the files to the HostGator server using our File Manager or an FTP client (FileZilla).

Step 2: Download and configure your database and database user

If your website is built with WordPress or another CMS (Content Management System) that makes use of a database, you will also need to complete the following steps:

Back up the database on the old server using phpMyAdmin.
Create a new database on your MySQL Database.
Import the database backup to the HostGator server.
Update your site's configuration files to reflect your updated database information.

Step 3: Make sure your domain is pointing to your HostGator servers

Once you have moved your website to HostGator, you will need to update your website's DNS settings. This process tells the internet where to find your website's new hosting account.

Locate your HostGator servers.
Change your name servers/DNS through your current registrar.

For more information on pointing your domain to HostGator, check out the article How do I point my existing domain to HostGator?

HostGator Paid Professional Migration

We strongly recommend requesting site migration from your Customer Portal, as our HostGator's Support agents cannot monitor the whole manual migration process and are not responsible for the turnout.

Submitting a migration request through your Customer Portal is made easy for your convenience. Please visit the following article to learn how.

HostGator Website Migration

HostGator also offers email migration! Please visit the following article to know more.

Will my Existing Email Accounts be Migrated over too?

Before you submit a migration request through your Customer Portal, there are several important points to consider. To learn more about this process, please visit the following article:

HostGator Pro Migration: Important Information to Know for a Smooth Migration

Free website migration! HostGator offers new customers an excellent opportunity to take advantage of limited free site migration services with our VPS and Dedicated hosting plans—just select a 12-month billing term! This free migration service is available within 30 days of signup, making your transition seamless. However, if you opt for a 1-month term for either VPS or Dedicated hosting, please note that a one-time fee of $149.99 will apply.

Please see below additional information on manually migrating your website contents for your reference:

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