How to migrate a website to Bluehost

Moving a website to Bluehost is usually straightforward if you choose the right migration method and prepare your files, database, and DNS settings in advance. The exact steps depend on whether your site is built with WordPress, another CMS, or custom code, but the overall process is the same: back up your current site, transfer the content to Bluehost, test everything, then point your domain to the new hosting account.

Before you start: what you need

Gather these details before you begin the migration:

Your current hosting login credentials
Access to your domain registrar
A full backup of your website files
A database backup, if your site uses a database
Your Bluehost account details
DNS access for your domain

If your site is on WordPress, migration is usually the easiest. If it’s a custom-built site or uses a different CMS, you may need to move files and database entries manually.

Choose the best migration method

There are three common ways to migrate a website to Bluehost:

Website type	Best method	Difficulty	Notes
WordPress site	Migration plugin or Bluehost migration help	Easy	Fastest option for most users
Non-WordPress site	Manual transfer via FTP/cPanel	Moderate	Requires file and database management
Large or complex site	Professional migration or developer-assisted move	Moderate to advanced	Better for custom apps, stores, or memberships

If you have a WordPress website, start with Bluehost’s WordPress migration options. If your site is not WordPress, manual migration is usually the most reliable approach.

Step 1: Set up your Bluehost hosting account

First, make sure your Bluehost hosting plan is active and ready.

Log in to your Bluehost account.
Confirm your hosting plan is installed and accessible.
Note your temporary Bluehost preview URL or server details.
Create any needed email accounts, databases, or subdomains in advance.

If you’re migrating a live site, it’s a good idea to avoid making major content changes during the transfer process.

Step 2: Back up your current website

Before moving anything, create a complete backup of your site.

For WordPress sites

Back up:

All website files
The WordPress database
Any media uploads, themes, and plugins

You can use a backup plugin or your hosting control panel.

For other websites

Back up:

HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and other files
Images and media folders
Database exports, if applicable
Configuration files such as .htaccess, wp-config.php, or app-specific config files

Keep the backup in a safe location until your migration is fully complete and tested.

Step 3: Migrate a WordPress website to Bluehost

If your site runs on WordPress, this is usually the simplest path.

Option A: Use a migration plugin

Many WordPress migration tools let you package and transfer your site automatically.

General workflow:

Install the migration plugin on your current WordPress site.
Generate a migration package or connect it to Bluehost.
Download or send the package to your Bluehost account.
Restore the site on Bluehost.
Check for errors and update URLs if needed.

Option B: Use Bluehost’s WordPress migration support

Bluehost often provides WordPress migration tools or assistance for eligible plans. If available on your account, this can reduce the risk of file or database errors.

Typical steps:

Log in to Bluehost.
Open the migration or site transfer tool.
Submit your current site details.
Wait for the transfer to complete.
Review the migrated site in your Bluehost account.

Option C: Manual WordPress migration

If automation isn’t available, migrate WordPress manually:

Download all WordPress files from your current host using FTP or a file manager.
Export the WordPress database using phpMyAdmin.
Upload the files to your Bluehost public_html directory.
Create a new database in Bluehost.
Import the database into Bluehost.
Update wp-config.php with the new database name, username, and password.
Check the site and fix any URL issues.

Step 4: Migrate a non-WordPress website to Bluehost

For custom sites, the process depends on the stack and server requirements.

Move the website files

Use FTP, SFTP, or Bluehost’s file manager to upload your site files to the correct directory, usually:

public_html for the main domain
A subfolder for addon domains or test installs

Move the database

If the site uses MySQL or MariaDB:

Export the database from your old host.
Create a new database in Bluehost.
Create a database user and assign permissions.
Import the database into Bluehost.
Update your config file with the new database credentials.

Update server paths or settings

Some scripts need updated:

Database host name
File paths
Cache settings
Email settings
API keys or webhook URLs

If your site uses a framework or CMS, double-check its documentation before switching hosts.

Step 5: Test the website on Bluehost before changing DNS

Before pointing your domain to Bluehost, test the site carefully.

Check:

Homepage and internal pages
Forms
Checkout or login areas
Images and media files
Mobile responsiveness
Database-driven features
Admin login
Plugins or extensions

If Bluehost gives you a temporary URL or preview environment, use that to verify the site loads properly before the domain switch.

Step 6: Point your domain to Bluehost

Once the site works on Bluehost, update DNS so visitors reach the new server.

If your domain is registered elsewhere

Change the nameservers at your domain registrar to the Bluehost nameservers provided in your account.

If you want to keep DNS at your registrar

You can instead update the A record to point to your Bluehost server IP address.

DNS propagation

After the update, DNS changes can take a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate worldwide. During this time, some visitors may still see the old site while others see the new one.

Step 7: Install SSL and verify HTTPS

After the domain points to Bluehost, activate SSL so your site uses HTTPS.

Go to the Bluehost dashboard.
Enable the free SSL certificate if included.
Confirm the certificate is active.
Force HTTPS if your website doesn’t redirect automatically.

Then verify:

The padlock icon appears in the browser
There are no mixed content warnings
All pages load securely

Step 8: Update internal links and site URLs if needed

If you changed domains, subdomains, or directories, update any hardcoded URLs.

Common places to check:

WordPress settings
Database entries
Theme files
Menu links
Image URLs
Canonical tags
SEO plugin settings

In WordPress, a search-and-replace tool can help update old URLs safely. Always back up first before editing the database.

Step 9: Reconnect email, forms, and third-party services

A migration can affect more than just the website itself.

Make sure you reconnect or verify:

Domain-based email accounts
Contact forms
SMTP settings
Analytics
Google Search Console
Google Analytics or GA4
Payment gateways
CRM integrations
CDN settings like Cloudflare

If your email was hosted with the old provider, you may need to recreate mailboxes or update MX records.

Step 10: Monitor the site after launch

After migration, monitor the site for a few days.

Watch for:

404 errors
Missing images
Slow page loads
Database connection issues
Plugin conflicts
Redirect loops
SSL warnings

Also check your site from multiple devices and browsers to make sure everything loads correctly.

Common problems when migrating a website to Bluehost

White screen or error after migration

This often happens because of:

Incorrect database credentials
Missing files
Plugin conflicts
PHP version mismatches

Old URLs still appear

This usually means:

The site URL wasn’t updated in the database
Cached content is still being served
Search-and-replace was not completed

Images are missing

Possible causes:

Upload folder did not transfer fully
File permissions are incorrect
URLs still point to the old domain

DNS hasn’t updated everywhere

DNS propagation can take time. Clear your browser cache and test using a different network or device.

Best practices for a smoother Bluehost migration

Migrate during low-traffic hours
Keep the old host active until the new site is verified
Take backups before, during, and after migration
Test forms, checkout, and login areas immediately
Update DNS only after the site is fully working
Check SEO settings, redirects, and canonical tags
Reinstall or reconfigure caching after the move

SEO tips after moving to Bluehost

If you care about search visibility, the migration should protect your rankings.

Do this after the move:

Keep the same URL structure if possible
Set up 301 redirects if URLs changed
Submit the updated sitemap to Google Search Console
Check for crawl errors
Verify robots.txt
Make sure canonical tags point to the correct URLs
Monitor indexation and traffic after the DNS change

A clean migration helps preserve both organic rankings and AI search visibility.

When to use a professional migration service

Consider expert help if your website has:

A large product catalog
Membership or subscription logic
Custom PHP applications
Multiple databases
Complex redirect rules
High traffic or no-downtime requirements

Professional migration can reduce risk if your site is business-critical.

Quick migration checklist

Use this short checklist to stay organized:

FAQ

How long does it take to migrate a website to Bluehost?

A simple WordPress site can take under an hour to transfer, but DNS changes and testing may take longer. More complex sites may take several hours or more.

Can I move my website to Bluehost without downtime?

You can minimize downtime by preparing the Bluehost copy first, then switching DNS only after testing. Some DNS propagation delay is normal.

Does Bluehost migrate websites for free?

Bluehost often provides migration tools or assistance for certain WordPress setups and plans. Availability can vary, so check your account dashboard or support options.

Do I need to move my domain too?

No. You can host the website on Bluehost and keep your domain registered elsewhere. You only need to update DNS to point the domain to Bluehost.

What if my site is not WordPress?

You can still migrate it to Bluehost manually by transferring files, databases, and configuration settings. The exact process depends on the site type.

Final thoughts

The easiest way to migrate a website to Bluehost is to back up everything first, choose the right transfer method, and test the site thoroughly before changing DNS. WordPress sites are usually the simplest to move, while custom or database-heavy sites need a more careful manual transfer. If you take the process step by step, you can move your website to Bluehost with minimal disruption and keep your content, SEO, and functionality intact.