How to Migrate a WordPress Site to Bluehost (Free Self-Service Tool)

Bluehost includes a free self-service transfer tool, powered by InstaWP, that copies a WordPress site from another host into your Bluehost account. You start it from the Bluehost portal and approve the connection from your old WordPress admin.

What you need before you start

• An active Bluehost hosting plan. See how to sign up for Bluehost if you do not have one yet.
• A working WordPress site at your current host, and its admin username and password.
• A recent backup of the old site, in case anything goes wrong.

The tool moves your WordPress files and database. It does not move email accounts, so plan to recreate mailboxes separately.

Step 1: Start a transfer in the Bluehost portal

1. Log in to the Bluehost portal.
2. Click Websites in the left-hand menu.
3. Click Add Website, then Transfer WordPress Website.
4. Wait a few seconds while Bluehost prepares your account, then click Start Transfer. Do not close or refresh the page during this step.

Already installed a fresh WordPress site on Bluehost? You can also click Import an Existing WordPress Site after installation and continue from Step 2.

Step 2: Connect your old site

1. Enter the URL of the site you are moving and click Connect.
2. Click Yes, Continue to Login.
3. Log in to the old WordPress site with its admin username or email and password.
4. Approve the connection when asked. Bluehost cannot continue without it.
5. Wait for the status to change from Connecting to Connected.

Step 3: Let the files and database copy

Progress bars for Files and Database show how far the copy has got. You can close the browser; the transfer keeps running in the background, and Bluehost emails you when it starts, finishes, or fails. If you need to cancel, click Stop site transfer.

When it finishes, you see Your Migration is Complete! Click Go to site to check the copy.

Step 4: Test the copy

Click through the important pages, test forms and checkout, and log in to the new WordPress admin. Your old site is still live, so take your time.

Step 5: Point your domain to Bluehost

Bluehost's migration article stops at Go to site, so the DNS switch is up to you. Once the copy looks right, update your domain's nameservers or A record to Bluehost, either at your registrar or by transferring the domain. DNS changes usually spread within a few hours but can take up to 48. Keep the old hosting active until the switch is complete.

If the transfer fails

Bluehost offers two fallbacks: its paid professional migration service, or a support ticket through the InstaWP support form. You can also move the site manually with FTP and phpMyAdmin.

After the move

• Recreate email accounts and update your email DNS records.
• Cancel the old host only after DNS has switched and email works.

Want to know what Bluehost costs once the intro term ends? See the Bluehost renewal price breakdown.

Source: Self-Service Migration - How to Migrate a WordPress Website (Bluehost Help).