How to Migrate a WordPress Website to Hostinger Without Downtime
How to move a WordPress site to Hostinger: migration options (Hostinger's migration request, plugins, manual), testing before switching DNS, moving email safely, SSL and what to check after the move.
On this page
- Back up, note DNS records and keep the old hosting until the move is verified.
- Migrate via Hostinger's request, a plugin or manually, then test before switching DNS.
- Recreate email MX, SPF and DKIM records, activate SSL and check Search Console.
Moving to Hostinger for better pricing, speed or support? A careful migration keeps your website, email and rankings intact. The key is to copy and test everything before switching your domain over.
Before you start
- Take a full backup of files and database from your current host
- Note your current DNS records, especially email (MX) records
- Check your old hosting's renewal date so you don't pay for another year unnecessarily, but don't cancel it yet
- Lower the DNS TTL a day in advance if you manage DNS, so the switch happens faster
Migration options
| Method | Good for |
|---|---|
| Hostinger's migration request in hPanel | Standard WordPress sites; their team or tool moves the site for you |
| Migration plugins (e.g. All-in-One WP Migration, Duplicator) | Small to medium sites; quick, but large sites may hit size limits |
| Manual (files + database) | Large or complex sites, or when plugins fail |
Test before switching the domain
Check the migrated site on Hostinger before pointing your domain at it, using a temporary URL or preview, or by editing your computer's hosts file. Test:
- Every key page and the mobile layout
- Forms (do emails arrive?)
- WooCommerce checkout, if applicable
- Logins and admin area
Switch the domain
Update the nameservers or A record to point to Hostinger. DNS changes can take a few hours to spread.
Don't break email
If your email is hosted with your old provider or with Google Workspace, recreate the MX, SPF and DKIM records exactly at Hostinger before switching nameservers. This is the most common migration mistake. See email deliverability.
After the move
- Activate SSL and check for mixed content warnings
- Set up LiteSpeed Cache and remove any old host-specific caching plugins
- Check Search Console for crawl errors
- Set up backups and monitoring
- Keep the old hosting for a week or two as a fallback, then cancel
Moving from another platform?
Moving from Wix, Blogger or Shopify is a bigger job; see Wix to WordPress and Blogger to WordPress.
Want a hands-off move? See WordPress migration.
Need help with your website?
I'm Sameer, a freelance WordPress developer building fast, SEO-friendly websites since 2020. Tell me what you need and I'll reply with a plan and a fixed quote within 24 hours.
Freelance WordPress developer and founder of Samverse, building websites for clinics, manufacturers, agencies and online stores since 2020.
More about me
