Transfer a WordPress Site Between Hostinger Accounts

Transfer a WordPress Site Between Hostinger Accounts

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Migrating a WordPress website from one Hostinger account to another may sound like a complex task, but it can be done efficiently with the right steps. Whether you’re moving your site for administrative reasons, collaboration, or selling a website, this guide will help you execute the migration without downtime or errors.

We’ll explore two effective methods for transferring your WordPress website:

  1. Using the All-in-One WP Migration Plugin, a user-friendly tool perfect for beginners.
  2. Manual transfer, which involves exporting and importing files and databases for those who prefer more control over the process.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear roadmap to successfully migrate your WordPress website.

Why Transfer a WordPress Website?

Before diving into the methods, let’s briefly discuss why you might need to transfer a WordPress website from one Hostinger account to another:

  • Account Consolidation: Managing multiple websites under a single Hostinger account is more efficient.
  • Ownership Changes: Selling a website or transferring it to a partner or client may require moving the website to a new Hostinger account.
  • Improved Resource Allocation: You may want to distribute sites between different hosting accounts to balance server load.

Regardless of the reason, the process remains the same and is manageable if done methodically.

Method 1: Transferring via the All-in-One WP Migration Plugin

The All-in-One WP Migration Plugin is a popular solution for transferring WordPress websites, especially for beginners. This method involves creating a complete backup of your website, downloading it, and then restoring it on the new Hostinger account.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Plugin

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard on the current Hostinger account.
  2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New in the sidebar menu.
  3. Search for All-in-One WP Migration in the plugin directory.
  4. Click Install Now and then Activate the plugin.

Pro Tip: Ensure you’re running the latest version of WordPress and the plugin for a smoother experience.

Step 2: Export Your Website

  1. After activating the plugin, go to All-in-One WP Migration > Export.
  2. Click the Export To dropdown menu and select File.
  3. The plugin will prepare a full backup of your website, including the database, themes, plugins, and media files.
  4. Once the process is complete, click Download to save the export file to your computer.

Note: Depending on your website’s size, this process can take a few minutes. Ensure you have enough storage space on your computer to save the export file.

Step 3: Prepare the New Hostinger Account

  1. Log in to the destination Hostinger account.
  2. Install WordPress for the domain where you want to migrate your website. You can use Hostinger’s Auto Installer to set up WordPress in just a few clicks.
  3. Once WordPress is installed, log in to the dashboard of the new website.

Step 4: Import Your Website

  1. In the new WordPress dashboard, install and activate the All-in-One WP Migration Plugin as explained in Step 1.
  2. Go to All-in-One WP Migration > Import.
  3. Click Import From and select File.
  4. Upload the export file you downloaded in Step 2.
  5. The plugin will process the file and restore your website on the new Hostinger account.
  6. Once the process is complete, the system may log you out. Use the login credentials from your old site to access the new installation.

Step 5: Test the Migration

  1. Visit your website’s front end and back end to ensure everything is working as expected.
  2. Check key functionalities, such as forms, plugins, and menus, to confirm a successful migration.

Method 2: Manual Transfer of Files and Database

For advanced users or those with larger websites, manually transferring files and databases provides greater control and avoids limitations like file size caps in plugins.

Step 1: Back Up Your Website Files

  1. Log in to your current Hostinger account and open the File Manager. Alternatively, connect to the hosting server using an FTP client such as FileZilla.
  2. Navigate to the public_html directory (or the directory where WordPress is installed).
  3. Download all files and folders to your local computer. This includes the core WordPress files, themes, plugins, and media uploads.

Tip: Compress the files into a ZIP archive for faster download and upload.

Step 2: Export the Database

  1. Open phpMyAdmin from the Hostinger control panel.
  2. Select the database associated with your WordPress installation.
  3. Click Export at the top of the page.
  4. Choose the Quick Export option and save the database file to your computer.

Step 3: Upload Files to the New Hostinger Account

  1. Log in to the new Hostinger account and open the File Manager.
  2. Navigate to the public_html directory and upload the files you downloaded in Step 1.
  3. Extract the ZIP archive if the files were compressed.

Step 4: Import the Database

  1. Create a new database in the new Hostinger account using the control panel. Make note of the database name, username, and password.
  2. Open phpMyAdmin and select the new database.
  3. Click Import and upload the database file exported in Step 2.

Step 5: Update the wp-config.php File

  1. In the File Manager, locate the wp-config.php file.
  2. Edit the file to include the new database credentials:phpCopy codedefine('DB_NAME', 'new_database_name'); define('DB_USER', 'new_database_user'); define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_database_password');
  3. Save your changes.

Step 6: Update DNS Settings

  1. Go to your domain registrar and update the DNS records to point to the new Hostinger account.
  2. Update the nameservers or A record as required.
  3. Allow 24–48 hours for DNS propagation.

Step 7: Verify the Migration

  1. Test the website on the new hosting environment to ensure everything works as expected.
  2. Check for missing files, broken links, or database errors.

Tips for a Successful Migration

  1. Backup Everything: Before starting, create a backup of your website files and database to avoid data loss.
  2. Check Hosting Plans: Ensure the new Hostinger account has sufficient resources (storage, bandwidth) for the website.
  3. Optimize Before Migration: Clean up unnecessary plugins, themes, and files to reduce the size of your website and speed up the transfer.
  4. Monitor Downtime: Plan the migration during low-traffic hours to minimize downtime.
  5. Test Thoroughly: After migration, test your site’s functionality, including plugins, forms, and checkout pages (if applicable).

Closing Remarks

Migrating a WordPress website between Hostinger accounts doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The All-in-One WP Migration Plugin offers a fast and simple solution for most users, while the manual method is ideal for those requiring greater control or handling larger sites.

By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure a smooth migration process, whether you’re moving your site for better management, collaboration, or ownership changes. Take your time, test thoroughly, and enjoy your website on its new Hostinger account!

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