GoDaddy to Hostinger Domain Transfer + WordPress Setup

GoDaddy to Hostinger Domain Transfer – Paid Transfer + WordPress Setup

Transferring a domain from GoDaddy to Hostinger can seem complicated if you haven’t done it before. However, with the right steps, you can move your domain smoothly and even set up WordPress on your new hosting. In this guide, we will walk you through the full process, including the paid domain transfer and live setup for WordPress, making it easy even for beginners.

Why Transfer Your Domain from GoDaddy to Hostinger?

There are several reasons website owners choose to transfer their domain:

• Better Pricing: Hostinger offers competitive renewal rates compared to GoDaddy.
• All-in-One Hosting: You can manage both domain and hosting in one place.
• Free SSL and WordPress Setup: Hostinger provides easy integration with WordPress and free SSL certificates.
• Reliable Support: Hostinger has 24/7 support which helps during migration.

Step 1: Prepare Your Domain for Transfer

Before transferring your domain, you need to make sure it’s ready:

• Unlock Domain: Login to your GoDaddy account, go to “My Products” and unlock the domain you want to transfer.
• Get Authorization Code: Also called EPP code, this is required by Hostinger to initiate the transfer. You can request it from GoDaddy.
• Verify Contact Information: Ensure the email address listed for your domain is correct because the transfer approval will be sent there.
• Disable Privacy Protection: If you have privacy protection enabled, you may need to disable it temporarily to complete the transfer.

Step 2: Initiate Domain Transfer on Hostinger

Once your domain is ready, log in to your Hostinger account and follow these steps:

• Go to the “Domains” section and click “Transfer Domain”.
• Enter your domain name and click “Check Transfer”.
• Provide the authorization (EPP) code received from GoDaddy.
• Pay for the transfer. Most paid transfers include a 1-year renewal, which extends your domain registration.

After completing these steps, the transfer process will start. It may take 5-7 days for the domain to fully transfer.

Step 3: Approve the Transfer

During the transfer, GoDaddy may send an approval email to your registered email address:

• Open the email and click the confirmation link.
• Approve the transfer. Once approved, Hostinger will automatically complete the domain migration.
• You can track the status in your Hostinger dashboard under “Pending Transfers”.

Step 4: Update DNS Settings

After the domain transfer is complete, you need to point your domain to your Hostinger hosting:

• Login to Hostinger and go to the DNS settings of your transferred domain.
• Update the nameservers to Hostinger’s default nameservers.
• Wait for propagation. It usually takes 24-48 hours for the changes to take effect globally.

Step 5: Set Up WordPress on Hostinger

Once your domain is pointing to Hostinger, you can set up WordPress:

• Go to Hostinger control panel and click on “Auto Installer”.
• Select WordPress from the list of applications.
• Fill in website details like title, admin username, password, and email.
• Click “Install”. WordPress will be installed automatically on your new hosting.

After installation, you can access your WordPress dashboard at yourdomain.com/wp-admin and start building your website.

Step 6: Test Your Website

Once WordPress is set up, it’s important to test your website:

• Open your domain in a browser to ensure it loads correctly.
• Check all pages, links, and images.
• Make sure SSL is working and the website is secure.
• Install essential WordPress plugins for SEO, security, and backups.

Tips for Smooth Domain Transfer

• Start the transfer at least a week before your domain renewal date.
• Keep both GoDaddy and Hostinger accounts active during the process.
• Backup your website files and database before initiating transfer.
• Double-check contact details and DNS settings to avoid delays.

Conclusion

Transferring a domain from GoDaddy to Hostinger may seem intimidating, but following these step-by-step instructions makes it straightforward. By unlocking your domain, obtaining the authorization code, initiating a paid transfer, updating DNS, and setting up WordPress, you can successfully migrate your website and manage everything from one platform. With proper planning and testing, your website will run smoothly on Hostinger without downtime or errors.