Moving your website from Bluehost to a new hosting provider is straightforward when you follow the right steps. This guide will walk you through backing up your site, transferring files, and updating your domain. If you prefer, you can also provide your new hosting provider with your Bluehost login details so they can handle the migration for you. Whether you are an expert or a novice, here are the essential steps to migrate from Bluehost.
Step 1: Check Your Bluehost Hosting Type #
Bluehost offers different types of hosting, including:
• cPanel Hosting (Most shared, reseller, VPS, and older dedicated plans)
• Managed WordPress Hosting (Limited access, requires a backup plugin)
• Website Builder Hosting (No direct file access, requires manual content transfer)
If you’re using cPanel Hosting, migration is simple. If you’re on Managed WordPress Hosting or Website Builder, you’ll need an alternative approach.
Step 2: Back Up Your Website #
NOTE: Many hosting providers (including us) offer free migration services. You can provide your Bluehost login details so they can export your website files and database for you.
Option 1: Let Your New Hosting Provider Handle It
Many hosting providers (including us) offer free migration services. You can provide your Bluehost login details, and they’ll export your website files and database for you.
Option 2: Manual Backup
For Bluehost cPanel Users
1. Log into Bluehost cPanel.
2. Open File Manager → Navigate to public_html.
3. Select all files and download them as a ZIP file.
4. Alternatively, use FTP (FileZilla, Cyberduck) with your Bluehost FTP credentials (found under FTP Accounts in cPanel).
For Bluehost Managed WordPress Users
1. Log into Bluehost Dashboard → Managed WordPress Hosting.
2. If a backup tool is available, download a full backup.
3. If no backup tool is available, use a WordPress plugin like UpdraftPlus or All-in-One WP Migration to create and download a backup.
For Bluehost Website Builder Users
• Bluehost’s Website Builder does not allow direct backups. You will need to manually copy content and rebuild your site on the new hosting provider.
Step 3: Back Up Your Database #
For Bluehost cPanel Users
1. Go to cPanel → phpMyAdmin.
2. Select your database and click Export → Quick → SQL.
3. Download the database file.
For Bluehost Managed WordPress Users
• If your backup plugin supports database exports, download the database backup file.
Step 4: Upload Your Website to the New Host #
If your new hosting provider is handling the migration, they will take care of this step. Otherwise, follow these steps:
1. Log into your new hosting provider’s control panel (cPanel or other).
2. Open File Manager → public_html → Upload your website files.
3. If using FTP, connect with the new hosting provider’s details and upload the files.
Step 5: Import Your Database #
1. Create a new MySQL database in the new hosting panel.
2. Open phpMyAdmin → Select your new database → Click Import.
3. Upload the .sql file you downloaded from Bluehost.
Update Your Website’s Database Settings
For WordPress, edit wp-config.php:
define('DB_NAME', 'new_database');
define('DB_USER', 'new_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');For Joomla, update configuration.php with the new database details.
Step 6: Update Your Domain & DNS #
1. Log into your Bluehost account or domain registrar.
2. Go to Domains → Select your domain → DNS Settings.
3. Update the nameservers to your new hosting provider’s nameservers.
4. Wait for DNS changes to take effect (can take 2-24 hours).
Final Steps to migrate from Bluehost #
Test your website before updating DNS by using a temporary URL or hosts file.
Set up emails with your new hosting provider if needed.
Enable SSL (HTTPS)—most hosts offer free SSL.
Want a Hassle-Free Migration? We Can Help!
We offer free migration services for new customers. Just provide us with your Bluehost login details, and we’ll take care of everything to migrate from Bluehost!
✔ High-performance NVMe SSD storage
✔ Easy cPanel management
✔ Free SSL and backups
✔ 24/7 support, including migration help
Contact us today for a smooth, worry-free migration!
