Bluehost Migration Guide: Step‑by‑Step to a Smooth Transfer

By Azon Vault On May 2, 2026

Introduction

Moving a website to a new host can feel intimidating, but with the right plan you can avoid downtime, preserve SEO value, and keep your visitors happy. This Bluehost migration guide walks you through every stage—pre‑migration prep, the actual transfer, and post‑migration checks—so even beginners can complete a seamless move.

Why Choose Bluehost for Migration?

Bluehost is popular for its user‑friendly dashboard, 24/7 support, and free site‑transfer tools. Whether you’re moving from a shared host, a VPS, or a competitor’s platform, Bluehost provides:

One‑click WordPress migration plugin
Free SSL and domain management
Scalable plans that grow with your traffic

Pre‑Migration Checklist

1. Back Up Your Current Site

Always start with a full backup. Use your current host’s backup utility or a plugin like UpdraftPlus. Save both the file system and the database.

2. Make a List of Essentials

Domain registrar details
Database credentials (username, password, host)
Custom scripts, .htaccess rules, and email accounts

3. Test Locally

Set up a local copy with XAMPP or Local by Flywheel. This gives you a safe sandbox to verify that the site works before the live switch.

Step‑by‑Step Migration Process

Step 1 – Purchase a Bluehost Plan

Select a plan that matches your current resources. For most beginners, the Basic or Plus plan is enough, but WordPress‑heavy sites may need a VPS.

Step 2 – Add Your Domain to Bluehost

In the Bluehost dashboard, go to Domains → Assign. Choose “Assign to a site” and follow the prompts. If your domain is registered elsewhere, update the nameservers to ns1.bluehost.com and ns2.bluehost.com.

Step 3 – Use the Bluehost Migration Plugin (WordPress)

Log into your WordPress admin on the old host.
Install the Bluehost Migration plugin.
Enter your new Bluehost site URL and generate an API key.
Run the migration; the plugin copies files and the database automatically.

The process usually finishes in 10–30 minutes depending on site size.

Step 4 – Manual Migration (Non‑WordPress Sites)

Export your database via phpMyAdmin (or use mysqldump).
Upload website files via FTP/SFTP to public_html on Bluehost.
Create a new MySQL database in the Bluehost cPanel and import the SQL file.
Update wp-config.php (or your custom config) with the new DB credentials.

Step 5 – Verify DNS Propagation

After changing nameservers, propagation can take up to 48 hours. Use tools like whatsmydns.net to confirm that yourdomain.com points to Bluehost globally.

Post‑Migration Checklist

Check all pages, forms, and media for broken links.
Test e‑mail accounts and forwarding rules.
Enable the free SSL in Bluehost and force HTTPS via .htaccess.
Run a speed test (GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights) and adjust caching if needed.
Submit an updated XML sitemap to Google Search Console.

FAQ

Do I need to cancel my old hosting account?

Wait until the DNS fully propagates and you’ve confirmed the new site works. Then you can safely cancel or downgrade.

Will my SEO rankings drop after migration?

If you keep the same URLs, maintain proper redirects, and submit the new sitemap, rankings should remain stable. Monitor Console for crawl errors.

Can I migrate multiple domains at once?

Yes. Use Bluehost’s Bulk Transfer tool in the Domains section to add several domains, then repeat the migration steps for each site.

Is there a limit on the size of the site I can move?

Bluehost’s shared plans support sites up to 50 GB of storage. Larger sites may need a VPS or dedicated plan.

What if the migration fails?

Restore your backup on the old host, double‑check the database credentials, and run the plugin again. Bluehost support can also assist.

Conclusion & CTA

Migrating to Bluehost doesn’t have to be a headache. By following this guide—backing up, using the one‑click plugin or manual steps, and completing a thorough post‑migration audit—you’ll enjoy faster performance, reliable support, and a platform that scales with your growth.

Ready to make the switch? Sign up for a Bluehost plan today, and let our 24/7 experts help you migrate your site in minutes.