Moving off a large shared host is one of the most common migrations we’re asked to do, and HostGator is one of the most common starting points — simply because so many small business sites begin there. The mechanics of the move are the same as any other host change: copy the site, test it, cut over DNS last. But a shared-hosting account tends to carry a few extra pieces that are easy to forget until they break, so it’s worth knowing what actually has to move before you start.
What actually needs to move
- Files and database. The site itself. This is the straightforward part.
- Email. The one people forget. If your mailboxes live with your current host rather than with Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, they do not come along with the website — email has to be moved or re-pointed deliberately, or messages start bouncing the moment DNS changes.
- DNS records. Not just the website. Mail records, verification records, and anything else pointed at the domain have to be recreated before cutover, not after.
- SSL. A new certificate is issued on the new server. Nothing carries over automatically.
- Cron jobs and scheduled tasks. Backups, reports, and anything that runs on a schedule need to be set up again on the new environment.
Things that commonly need attention on a shared-hosting move
PHP version
Sites that have sat on one host for years are often running an older PHP version, and a plugin or theme that was never updated can fail the first time it lands on a current one. This is one of the more common reasons a move needs hands-on work rather than a one-click tool — and it’s a reason to move, not a reason to stay put.
Host-specific plugins and caching
Anything installed by the previous host to manage caching or backups usually needs removing or replacing, because it’s built for their infrastructure specifically and has nothing to do on a different stack.
Addon domains
Several sites under one shared-hosting account is normal. Each one is its own migration, and it’s worth listing them all up front rather than discovering a forgotten addon domain after the primary site is already moved.
Hard-coded URLs
Absolute paths baked into the database over the years — in page content, widget settings, or old import jobs — break images and links unless they’re rewritten during the move. This is a quiet, common source of “the migration looked fine until I clicked around.”
Doing it without downtime
The sequence is the same one we use for every migration, described in more detail in our guide to moving a website with no downtime: your existing site stays live and untouched while we copy it to the new server, we test it there — pages, forms, checkout, plugins — and DNS is only cut over once the copy is confirmed working. You keep your current hosting running until the move is verified. Nothing gets cancelled on our say-so; when you cancel your old plan is entirely your call.
If your site is currently down or broken, that isn’t a blocker. We’ve migrated sites that weren’t functional before the move, including sites broken because the previous host dropped support for an older PHP version. As long as the files and database are accessible, the move can happen safely. If it’s an active emergency rather than a planned move, start on our emergency WordPress support page instead — this guide is for a planned switch.
Frequently asked questions
Can you move my site off HostGator?
Yes — it’s one of the moves we handle most often. Free with a technical support plan; standalone transfers are quoted per site. See the full process on our WordPress migration service page.
Will my email keep working if I switch hosts?
It will, if the move is planned for it. If your mailboxes are hosted with your current provider rather than with Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, they need to be migrated or re-pointed as part of the move — otherwise mail stops arriving the moment DNS changes. Tell us how your email is set up and we’ll handle it in the same window as the site.
Do I need to cancel my current hosting first?
No — and you shouldn’t. Keep your existing plan running until the new site is live and verified. Cancelling before cutover removes your fallback if anything needs a second look. When you cancel afterward is entirely your decision.
Ready to move off shared hosting without the downtime or the DNS guesswork? See how the process works on our WordPress migration service page, or call us at (832) 224-3515 to talk through your setup first.
