How to Migrate a Website from GoDaddy to Hostinger (Zero Downtime, 2026)

Before you start: the three GoDaddy traps

We move sites off GoDaddy most months. Three things cause downtime when people do it themselves:

1. Email lives at GoDaddy (or Microsoft 365 via GoDaddy). Changing nameservers moves DNS control to Hostinger, and if the MX records are not recreated there, mail stops the moment DNS propagates. Note every DNS record before touching anything.
2. The domain is at GoDaddy too. That is fine; you do not need to transfer the domain to migrate hosting. Change nameservers only. Transferring the domain is a separate, optional step that takes 5-7 days.
3. GoDaddy Managed WordPress uses its own caching and a different file layout. The Hostinger migration tool handles it, but manual FTP copies from Managed WordPress often miss the database. Use a plugin backup or the tool.

What you need

• A Hostinger plan. For a typical business site, Business on 48 months; for a store, Cloud Startup. Buy it through our partner link for 20% off and we do the steps below for you at no charge.
• Your GoDaddy hosting login and, if applicable, WordPress admin access.
• A list of every DNS record at GoDaddy (Domains > DNS > export or screenshot).

Step 1: Record DNS and email settings at GoDaddy

In GoDaddy, open the domain's DNS page and copy every record: A, CNAME, MX, TXT (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, verification records). If email is with GoDaddy Workspace Email or Microsoft 365, the MX and TXT records are what keep it working after the move.

Step 2: Set up the Hostinger account

In hPanel, add the website with your domain name, choose India (Mumbai) as the server location, and let it install WordPress if you want a fresh install (skip if you are importing a full backup). Do not change nameservers yet.

Step 3: Move the site

Option A, Hostinger migration tool (WordPress). hPanel > Websites > Migrate website > WordPress. Enter the GoDaddy WordPress admin URL and credentials. Hostinger copies files and database, usually within a few hours. You will get an email when it is done.

Option B, backup and upload (WordPress). Install a backup plugin such as All-in-One WP Migration or Duplicator on the GoDaddy site, export, then import on the Hostinger side. Works when the migration tool cannot log in (two-factor, custom login URLs, GoDaddy security plugins).

Option C, HTML or PHP site. Download the site folder over FTP from GoDaddy and upload it to public_html on Hostinger with the file manager or FTP. Export and import any database via phpMyAdmin.

Step 4: Test on the temporary URL

hPanel gives every site a temporary preview URL. Open it and check: homepage, inner pages, contact form submission, images, logins, and on WooCommerce a test order in sandbox mode. Fix broken absolute links with a search-and-replace plugin (Better Search Replace) if the old site referenced its own domain with http.

Step 5: Recreate DNS records on Hostinger

In hPanel > DNS for your domain, add every non-hosting record from Step 1: MX and TXT for email, any CNAME for services like a CRM or verification. The A record for the site itself is set by Hostinger automatically.

Step 6: Switch nameservers at GoDaddy

In GoDaddy > Domain > Nameservers > Change, enter ns1.dns-parking.com and ns2.dns-parking.com (Hostinger will show the current values in hPanel). Propagation takes up to 24 hours; during that time some visitors see the old site and some the new one, and both work.

Step 7: SSL and final checks

Once the domain resolves to Hostinger, hPanel issues the free SSL automatically. Force HTTPS in hPanel. Then: send a test email in both directions, resubmit the sitemap in Google Search Console, run a crawl for 404s, and keep the GoDaddy account active for 7 days before cancelling.

Optional: transfer the domain

After the site is stable, you can transfer the domain to Hostinger to keep everything in one panel. Unlock it at GoDaddy, get the EPP code, and start the transfer in hPanel. It takes 5-7 days and does not affect the live site.

Common problems

• Site shows the GoDaddy version after 24 hours: browser or ISP DNS cache. Check with a DNS checker; clear the local cache.
• Mail stopped: MX records were not recreated on Hostinger. Add them and mail resumes within an hour.
• Mixed content warnings: the database still has http:// links. Run a search-and-replace.
• Login loop on WordPress: a GoDaddy-specific mu-plugin left in wp-content/mu-plugins. Delete it.