Introduction
Migrating your website to a new WordPress hosting provider can seem overwhelming, especially when you’re worried about breaking your site or experiencing downtime. But with the right strategy, you can move your WordPress site smoothly — without affecting your visitors or your search rankings.
In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to migrate your WordPress site to a new host safely, and how to factor in the WordPress web hosting cost so you’re not hit with unexpected charges during the move.
Why You Might Want to Switch WordPress Hosting
Whether you’re unhappy with slow load times, poor support, or rising WordPress web hosting costs, switching providers can give your site a serious performance and reliability boost.
Here are a few reasons you might consider migrating:
- Slow website speed
- Frequent downtime
- Limited features or scalability
- High renewal prices
- Poor customer service
Pre-Migration Checklist
Before starting the move, make sure you have:
- Access to your old and new WordPress hosting accounts
- A full backup of your website
- FTP or cPanel credentials
- Access to your domain registrar (if you’re updating DNS)
Step-by-Step: How to Migrate Your WordPress Site Without Downtime
Step 1: Choose Your New WordPress Hosting Wisely
Make sure your new host offers:
- Free migration tools or support
- Better performance and uptime
- Transparent WordPress web hosting costs
- Scalable plans for future growth
Popular choices: 777Hosting, WP Engine, Bluehost, and Kinsta.
Step 2: Back Up Your Site
Use plugins like UpdraftPlus, All-in-One WP Migration, or Duplicator to back up:
- Files (themes, plugins, uploads)
- Database
Store a local copy just in case.
Step 3: Upload to New Host
Depending on your method, you can:
- Use a migration plugin
- Upload files via FTP or cPanel
- Restore from a backup
Many managed WordPress hosting providers offer free migrations — take advantage of that if you’re not comfortable doing it manually.
Step 4: Update DNS Records
Once everything is uploaded and tested on the new server, update your DNS records (A record or nameservers) at your domain registrar to point to your new host.
Pro tip: DNS propagation can take 4–48 hours. To avoid downtime, don’t cancel your old host until your domain is fully propagated.
Step 5: Test Everything
Check:
- Page speed
- Forms
- Internal links
- Mobile responsiveness
- Plugin functionality
Also check your WordPress web hosting cost breakdown to ensure there are no hidden fees.
Don’t Forget to Compare WordPress Web Hosting Costs
During your migration, it’s a great time to evaluate long-term value. Ask:
- Is SSL included for free?
- Are backups and email part of the package?
- What’s the renewal price?
- Are there any hidden upgrade fees?
By comparing both features and WordPress web hosting cost, you’ll avoid surprises in the future.
Conclusion
Migrating your WordPress site doesn’t have to mean downtime or headaches. With the right plan — and the right WordPress hosting provider — you can make a seamless switch and enjoy faster performance, better support, and more reliable service.
Take control of your site’s future by choosing the right hosting — and make your move today, without the stress.
