Website Migration to New Domain on Hostinger

How to Migrate a Website Copy to Another Domain in Hostinger

Migrating a website from one domain to another can seem complicated for beginners, but with Hostinger, it is easier than ever. Whether you want to move your WordPress site, HTML website, or any other CMS, this guide will help you transfer your website copy safely and efficiently. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth migration.

Why Migrate a Website?

Website migration is necessary for several reasons:

• Changing your domain for branding purposes
• Upgrading to a better hosting plan
• Switching to a new CMS or website builder
• Fixing issues with the old domain or hosting

Before migrating, make sure to create a full backup of your website files and database to avoid data loss.

Step 1: Backup Your Existing Website

The first step in migrating a website is taking a complete backup. Hostinger users can use the hPanel for this:

1. Log in to your Hostinger hPanel
2. Go to Files > File Manager
3. Select all website files and click Download
4. For WordPress sites, also export the database via phpMyAdmin

Step 2: Prepare the New Domain

Before moving the website, ensure your new domain is ready:

• Purchase or activate the new domain in Hostinger
• Ensure it is connected to the same hosting account or a new hosting plan
• Update DNS settings if needed

Step 3: Upload Files to the New Domain

Once the new domain is ready, upload the website files:

1. Go to hPanel > File Manager on the new domain
2. Upload all the files you downloaded from the old website
3. Ensure the folder structure remains the same
4. If using WordPress, make sure wp-config.php is updated with new database details

Step 4: Import Database

If your website uses a database (like WordPress or other CMS), you need to import it:

1. Open phpMyAdmin in Hostinger hPanel
2. Create a new database and user with proper permissions
3. Import the SQL file from your backup
4. Update configuration files with new database name, username, and password

Step 5: Update URLs

After migration, URLs still point to the old domain. Update them:

• For WordPress, use a plugin like Better Search Replace or run SQL queries to replace old domain with new domain
• For HTML websites, update all internal links manually or using find & replace

Step 6: Test Your Website

Before making it live, test your website thoroughly:

• Check all pages, images, and links
• Ensure forms, plugins, and scripts are working
• Verify that the new domain is displaying correctly

Step 7: Set up 301 Redirects (Optional)

If your old domain had traffic, set up 301 redirects to point visitors to the new domain:

• Use .htaccess file for Apache servers
• Ensure Google indexes the new domain instead of the old one
• This helps maintain SEO ranking after migration

Tips for a Smooth Migration

• Always backup before making changes
• Use FTP/SFTP for large file transfers
• Check PHP version compatibility on the new hosting
• Clear cache and CDN after migration
• Monitor Google Search Console for errors

Common Errors During Migration

• Database connection errors – ensure wp-config.php has correct database credentials
• Broken links – check internal URLs after migration
• Missing images or files – verify all files are uploaded
• Theme or plugin conflicts – deactivate all plugins and reactivate one by one

Conclusion

Migrating a website to another domain in Hostinger is straightforward if you follow the right steps: backup your website, prepare the new domain, upload files, import the database, update URLs, and test thoroughly. With careful planning, you can migrate without downtime or data loss.

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FAQ – Website Migration in Hostinger

1. Can I migrate a WordPress site to another domain in Hostinger?

Yes, WordPress sites can be migrated using backup, database export/import, and updating URLs with plugins or SQL queries.

2. Do I need technical skills to migrate a website?

Basic knowledge of hosting, FTP, and databases is helpful, but Hostinger’s hPanel makes it easier for beginners.

3. Will I lose SEO after migrating to a new domain?

If you set up proper 301 redirects and update URLs, SEO impact can be minimized.

4. How long does migration take?

Depending on website size, migration can take from a few minutes to a few hours.