How to Migrate from HostGator to Rad Web Hosting (in 4 Easy Steps)

This article provides a guide for how to migrate from HostGator to Rad Web Hosting (self-migration guide).

How to Migrate from HostGator to Rad Web Hosting

Migrating your website from HostGator to Rad Web Hosting can seem like a complex process, but it can be done smoothly if you follow the right steps. This guide will walk you through every aspect of the migration, from preparing your website on HostGator to fully setting it up on Rad Web Hosting. This detailed step-by-step approach will ensure minimal downtime and a seamless transition.

Step 1: Preparation for Migration

1.1 Backup Your Website on HostGator

Before making any changes, the first and most crucial step is to create a full backup of your website.

1. Login to HostGator cPanel:

• Access your cPanel through http://yourdomain(.)com/cpanel or through your HostGator customer portal.

1. Generate a Full Backup:

• In the cPanel dashboard, scroll down to the “Files” section.
• Click on Backup Wizard.
• Select the Full Backup option, then choose a destination where you want the backup file saved (typically your home directory).
• Once the backup is generated, you can download the file to your local machine.

1. Download Databases:

• Go to phpMyAdmin in cPanel.
• Select your website’s database from the left panel.
• Click on the Export tab, choose “Quick” as the method, and click Go to download the database file.

1. Backup Email Accounts:

• If you’re using HostGator for email hosting, make sure you back up your email accounts and settings.

1.2 Sign Up for a Rad Web Hosting Account

Now that you’ve created backups, it’s time to sign up for a Rad Web Hosting account.

1. Choose a Hosting Plan:

• Visit Rad Web Hosting’s website and choose a plan that fits your website’s needs (e.g., Shared Hosting, VPS, or Dedicated Hosting).

1. Create an Account:

• Follow the registration steps to create an account, providing your payment details and personal information.
• After signing up, you will receive an email with your login details, including access to your new hosting control panel.

Step 2: Upload Website Files to Rad Web Hosting

2.1 Upload Files via FTP or cPanel File Manager

You can transfer your website files to Rad Web Hosting in one of two ways: via FTP or using the File Manager in cPanel.

1. Log into Rad Web Hosting cPanel:

• Access your new cPanel through the link provided by Rad Web Hosting, usually http://yourdomain.com/cpanel.

1. FTP Transfer:

• Use an FTP client like FileZilla to connect to Rad Web Hosting.
• Enter the FTP details provided in your Rad Web Hosting welcome email.
• In the FTP client, navigate to the public_html folder (or the root directory) and upload your website files from the backup you downloaded earlier.

1. File Manager Upload:

• Alternatively, use the File Manager in Rad Web Hosting cPanel.
• Click on File Manager, then navigate to the public_html directory.
• Use the Upload button to upload your website’s backup files.

2.2 Upload and Restore Databases

Once the files are uploaded, the next step is to import your database.

1. Create a New Database on Rad Web Hosting:

• In your Rad Web Hosting cPanel, scroll to the Databases section.
• Select MySQL Database Wizard, and create a new database.
• After creating the database, create a database user, assign a strong password, and ensure you grant All Privileges to the user.

1. Import the Database via phpMyAdmin:

• Go to phpMyAdmin in your Rad Web Hosting cPanel.
• Select the new database you created.
• Click on the Import tab.
• Click Choose File and upload the database file that you exported from HostGator.
• After the upload is complete, verify that all tables and data are intact.

2.3 Update Configuration Files

Most websites, such as WordPress or Joomla, require configuration file adjustments to reflect the new hosting environment.

1. Edit Database Connection Settings:

• If you are running WordPress, locate the wp-config.php file in your website’s root directory.
• Open it in a text editor and update the database name, username, and password with the details you created on Rad Web Hosting.
• Save and upload the updated configuration file. Similar steps apply to other CMS platforms; make sure you update any settings related to the database and file paths.

Step 3: DNS and Domain Migration

3.1 Change Nameservers to Point to Rad Web Hosting

Once your files and databases are transferred, the next step is to point your domain to the new hosting provider.

1. Get Rad Web Hosting’s Nameservers:

• You will find Rad Web Hosting’s nameserver information in the welcome email or in the cPanel dashboard under the Domains section.

1. Update DNS Settings:

• Log into the control panel of your domain registrar (this might be HostGator or another service, like GoDaddy).
• Navigate to your domain management section and find the option to update Nameservers.
• Replace the old HostGator nameservers with Rad Web Hosting’s nameservers.
• Save the changes.

Note: DNS changes can take up to 24-48 hours to propagate globally, though it usually happens within a few hours.

3.2 Test the Website

Once the DNS propagation is complete and your domain points to Rad Web Hosting, you should test your website.

1. Clear Your Browser Cache:

• To avoid seeing the cached version of your website, clear your browser cache or use an incognito window.

1. Verify Functionality:

• Check that all pages load correctly.
• Test your forms, buttons, and any dynamic elements like contact forms or payment gateways.
• Ensure that email functionality works if you’ve transferred your email hosting.

Step 4: Post-Migration Steps

4.1 Update Email Accounts (if applicable)

If you are using Rad Web Hosting for email services, you’ll need to set up your email accounts again.

1. Create Email Accounts:

• In the cPanel dashboard of Rad Web Hosting, navigate to the Email Accounts section.
• Create email addresses matching those you used on HostGator, ensuring continuity for your users.

1. Configure Email Clients:

• Set up your email accounts in email clients like Outlook or Thunderbird using the settings provided by Rad Web Hosting.

4.2 Cancel Your HostGator Hosting Plan

After ensuring your website is fully functional on Rad Web Hosting and the migration is successful, you can cancel your HostGator hosting account.

1. Backup Again:

• Just to be safe, take one last backup of your website files and databases before canceling.

1. Cancel the Hosting Plan:

• Log into HostGator’s customer portal and follow the cancellation process, or contact their support for assistance.

Conclusion

You now know how to migrate from HostGator to Rad Web Hosting. By following this step-by-step guide, you can successfully migrate from HostGator to Rad Web Hosting with minimal downtime. The key is careful preparation—making backups, transferring files, and updating configurations properly.

Once you’ve completed the migration, monitor your website’s performance to ensure everything runs smoothly on the new host. If any issues arise, you can contact Rad Web Hosting’s support team to provide assistance.