How to Migrate Your WordPress Site from GoDaddy to Hostinger (Step-by-Step Guide)

May 13, 2025

Thinking about moving your WordPress site from GoDaddy to Hostinger? You’re not alone.

Many website owners switch from GoDaddy due to higher renewal prices, limited performance, or outdated interfaces — and Hostinger is one of the most popular alternatives thanks to its speed, simplicity, and affordable pricing.

The good news? Migrating your site is easier than you might think, and you have two options:

  1. Use a free plugin (perfect for beginners)
  2. Migrate manually (ideal for more control or larger sites)

In this guide, we’ll walk you through both methods step-by-step — no technical experience required. Whether you want the quick & easy route or the advanced approach, you’ll have your WordPress site up and running on Hostinger in no time.

✅ Method 1: Migrate Using a Plugin (Recommended for Beginners)

The easiest way to migrate your site is by using a plugin like All-in-One WP Migration. This method works well for most small-to-medium sites.

🔹 Step 1: Install the Plugin on GoDaddy

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard (hosted on GoDaddy).
  2. Go to Plugins → Add New
  3. Search for “All-in-One WP Migration”
  4. Click Install Now, then Activate

🔹 Step 2: Export Your Website

  1. Once activated, go to All-in-One WP Migration → Export
  2. Choose Export To → File
  3. The plugin will bundle your website (files + database) into a downloadable .wpress file.
  4. Click to download and save the file to your computer.

🔹 Step 3: Set Up WordPress on Hostinger

  1. Log in to your Hostinger account
  2. Go to Hosting → Add Website
  3. Use the Auto Installer to install a fresh copy of WordPress
  4. Log into the new WordPress site at your Hostinger domain or temporary URL

🔹 Step 4: Install the Plugin on Hostinger Site

  1. Repeat Step 1 on your new Hostinger WordPress site
  2. Install and activate the All-in-One WP Migration plugin again

🔹 Step 5: Import Your Website

  1. Go to All-in-One WP Migration → Import
  2. Choose Import From → File and upload the .wpress file you exported
  3. Wait for the upload to finish and click Proceed when prompted to overwrite the site
  4. Once done, re-login (the login credentials will be the same as your old site on GoDaddy)

🔹 Step 6: Final Checks

  • Go to Settings → Permalinks and click “Save” to refresh your URL structure
  • Check that everything looks good (pages, menus, images)
  • If your domain isn’t connected yet, follow our guide on connecting a GoDaddy domain to Hostinger

✅ Method 2: Manual WordPress Migration (Advanced)

If you prefer to migrate everything yourself — or your website is too large for a plugin — this method lets you transfer your entire WordPress site manually using FTP and phpMyAdmin.

It takes more steps, but the process is straightforward if you follow each carefully.

🔹 Step 1: Download Your Website Files from GoDaddy

  1. Log in to your GoDaddy Hosting Account.
  2. Go to cPanel → File Manager, or use an FTP tool like FileZilla.
  3. Navigate to the public_html folder (or the folder your WordPress site is in).
  4. Download all files and folders (including wp-content, wp-config.php, etc.) to your computer.

🔹 Step 2: Export Your Database via phpMyAdmin

  1. In GoDaddy cPanel, go to phpMyAdmin.
  2. Select the database associated with your WordPress site.
  3. Click Export → choose Quick and SQL format, then click Go.
  4. Save the .sql file to your computer.

🔹 Step 3: Set Up WordPress on Hostinger

  1. Log in to Hostinger and go to Hosting → Manage.
  2. Use the Auto Installer to install a fresh WordPress site.
  3. Note your new database name, username, and password from the install details.

🔹 Step 4: Upload Website Files to Hostinger

  1. Go to File Manager in Hostinger (or connect via FTP).
  2. Navigate to the root folder of your new website (usually /public_html/).
  3. Upload all the files you downloaded from GoDaddy.
  4. Overwrite any existing files (from the fresh WP install).

🔹 Step 5: Import the Database into Hostinger

  1. Go to phpMyAdmin in your Hostinger dashboard.
  2. Select your new database → click Import.
  3. Choose the .sql file you exported from GoDaddy and upload it.
  4. Wait for the import to complete successfully.

🔹 Step 6: Update wp-config.php File

  1. In File Manager, open the uploaded wp-config.php file.
  2. Replace the following lines with your new Hostinger database details: define( ‘DB_NAME’, ‘your_new_db_name’ ); define( ‘DB_USER’, ‘your_new_db_user’ ); define( ‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘your_new_db_password’ ); define( ‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’ );
  3. Save the file and close it.

🔹 Step 7: Connect Your Domain (DNS Update)

If you haven’t already, connect your GoDaddy domain to Hostinger by updating the nameservers. This will direct traffic to your new Hostinger-hosted site.

🔹 Step 8: Final Testing

  • Visit your domain or temporary Hostinger URL.
  • Check if everything works: pages, menus, images, admin login.
  • Go to Settings → Permalinks and click “Save” to reset URLs.

💬 Tip: Still not comfortable?

Hostinger also offers free migration for most users — just contact their support team, and they’ll handle it for you.

⭐️ Why Switch to Hostinger?

If you’re moving away from GoDaddy, you’re likely looking for faster speeds, fewer upsells, and better value — and that’s exactly what Hostinger delivers.

Here’s why thousands of users are switching from GoDaddy to Hostinger in 2025:

✅ 1. Faster Website Performance

Hostinger uses LiteSpeed servers and SSD/NVMe storage — making your site load significantly faster compared to GoDaddy’s basic shared servers.

✅ 2. Simpler Dashboard

Hostinger’s hPanel is modern, intuitive, and beginner-friendly. It’s easier to manage your site, domains, and emails without the clutter of traditional cPanel.

✅ 3. Free Essentials Included

Unlike GoDaddy (which charges extra), Hostinger includes:

  • ✅ Free SSL Certificate
  • ✅ Free domain (with annual plans)
  • ✅ Free email address
  • ✅ Free weekly backups

✅ 4. Affordable Long-Term Pricing

Hostinger starts at just €1.99/month with a 48-month plan — while GoDaddy’s plans often renew at €10+/month with fewer features.

✅ 5. 24/7 Live Chat Support

Need help? Hostinger’s support team is fast, friendly, and available 24/7 — no support tickets or long waits.

🟣 Ready to switch?

👉 Click here to start with Hostinger for just €1.99/month – Free Migration Included

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

✅ 1. Can I move my WordPress site from GoDaddy to Hostinger for free?

Yes! Hostinger offers free website migration. Just contact their support team after purchasing a plan and they’ll transfer your site for you.

✅ 2. Will my website go offline during the migration?

No — if you complete the steps correctly, your site will stay online during the process. We recommend doing the migration during low-traffic hours just in case.

✅ 3. Will my WordPress login change after the move?

If you used a plugin like All-in-One WP Migration, your WordPress login will remain the same as it was on GoDaddy. With manual migration, it depends on what you transferred.

✅ 4. What happens to my email accounts?

If you used email with GoDaddy, you’ll need to recreate those email accounts in Hostinger. Hostinger offers free email services with most plans.

✅ 5. Do I need to update anything in WordPress after the move?

Yes. After the migration:

  • Visit Settings → Permalinks and click “Save”
  • Reinstall any caching or security plugins if needed
  • Clear your browser cache and test everything