How to Migrate Your Website to Bluehost (Free WordPress Transfer)

Switching hosting providers used to be a technical headache—filled with database exports, file transfers, and the fear of breaking your site.

But with Bluehost, migrating your existing website is easier than ever—thanks to their free WordPress migration tool.

Whether you’re moving from SiteGround, GoDaddy, HostGator, or another host—this step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire Bluehost migration process.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn:

What the Bluehost free migration tool includes
Which websites qualify for free migration
Step-by-step walkthrough of the transfer process
Tips for a smooth and error-free migration
When to consider manual migration or support assistance

🎯 Don’t have a Bluehost account yet?

👉 Get Bluehost at $1.99/month + Free WordPress Site Migration
Includes free domain, SSL, backups, CDN, staging, and AI website builder.

If you’re launching your first WordPress site, this guide to Bluehost plan pricing is a must-read. You’ll also want to apply this Bluehost discount coupon to get started for less than $3/month.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Sign Up for Bluehost Hosting (Or Log into Your Account)

Before you can migrate your existing website to Bluehost, you need to have an active hosting account.

🔹 Option A: New to Bluehost? Here’s How to Sign Up

Visit Bluehost’s official site
Click on the “Get Started” button
Choose a hosting plan (we recommend Choice Plus or above for free migration tools)
Enter your domain name or register a new one (free for the first year)
Fill out your account details and payment info
Complete checkout and log in to your Bluehost dashboard

✅ Your WordPress-ready hosting will be automatically set up during this process.

🔹 Option B: Already Have a Bluehost Account?

Simply log in at bluehost.com
From the left-hand menu, go to My Sites
Select the site you want to use (or add a new one)

Once your account is active, you’re ready to begin the migration process using the Bluehost Site Migrator plugin.

Step 2: Install the Bluehost Site Migrator Plugin on Your Current Site

To begin transferring your existing WordPress website to Bluehost, you’ll need to install Bluehost’s official Site Migrator plugin on your current site (the one hosted elsewhere).

🔧 Here’s how to do it:

Log in to your existing WordPress dashboard (on your old host)
Go to Plugins > Add New
Search for “Bluehost Site Migrator”
Click Install Now, then Activate

This free plugin was developed by Bluehost specifically to make WordPress site transfers seamless.

🧭 What the Plugin Does:

Scans your current website
Packages all your content, media, and settings
Automatically prepares it for safe migration to Bluehost
Offers real-time status updates and alerts for potential issues

No need to handle files, export databases, or touch cPanel—it’s all done through a guided setup wizard.

👉 Haven’t chosen your Bluehost plan yet?

💡 Get Bluehost at $1.99/month + Free Site Migration Tool
Includes: Free domain, SSL, backups, and expert support—plus staging and email.

Step 3: Start the Migration Process from Inside the Plugin

Once the Bluehost Site Migrator plugin is installed and activated on your current WordPress site, you’re just a few clicks away from starting the transfer to Bluehost.

🛠️ Here’s how to launch the migration:

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Tools > Site Migrator
Click the “Check Compatibility” button
- The plugin will quickly scan your site to ensure everything is ready
- If your site is too large or has unsupported configurations, you’ll be notified
If everything looks good, click “Start Transfer”
Enter the email address associated with your Bluehost account
- This links the site to your Bluehost hosting dashboard
Click “Send” and wait while the plugin packages and transfers your entire site to Bluehost

✅ The transfer process usually takes anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the size of your site.

You’ll see real-time progress, and once complete, you’ll get an email and a confirmation in your Bluehost dashboard that your site has arrived.

👉 Tip: Leave the migration window open during the process to avoid interruption.

💡 Need hosting first? Sign up now for $1.99/month + Free Migration
Includes free domain, WordPress, backups, and the full WonderSuite AI setup.

Step 4: Finalize the Migration and Point Your Domain to Bluehost

Once the transfer is complete, your website files, content, design, and settings are now safely on your Bluehost server. But there’s one final step to make your site live:

👉 You need to point your domain to Bluehost.

🔁 How to Point Your Domain to Bluehost (If Registered Elsewhere)

If your domain is registered with a third-party provider like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains, you’ll need to update the nameservers.

Here’s how:

Log in to your domain registrar’s dashboard
Go to the DNS Settings or Nameservers section
Replace the current nameservers with Bluehost’s:

ns1.bluehost.com  
ns2.bluehost.com

Save your changes

📌 DNS propagation can take up to 24–48 hours (though it’s often faster). During this time, your site may briefly show the old host or a “Coming Soon” page.

🔄 If Your Domain Is Registered with Bluehost

Good news—you don’t need to do anything. Bluehost will automatically handle domain connection during site setup.

✅ Once your domain is pointed correctly, your migrated site is now fully live on Bluehost!

👉 Need a fresh start?

💡 Sign Up for Bluehost at $1.99/month – Free Domain + 1-Click Migration
Launch your site on faster, more reliable hosting in just a few steps.

Conclusion: Why Bluehost Makes Website Migration Easy (Even for Beginners)

Migrating your website to a new host can feel overwhelming—but Bluehost makes it incredibly simple with its free, beginner-friendly migration tool.

You don’t need to:

Manually export databases
Copy files using FTP
Hire a developer
Risk breaking your live site

With Bluehost, you can:

✅ Migrate your WordPress site in a few clicks
✅ Test compatibility before starting
✅ Track the entire transfer in real time
✅ Get notified when your site is ready
✅ Connect your domain and go live smoothly

Whether you’re switching from GoDaddy, SiteGround, HostGator, or anywhere else—Bluehost lets you upgrade your hosting without the usual headaches.

🔥 Ready to Move Your Site with Confidence?

👉 Start with Bluehost at $1.99/month + Free Site Migration + Domain
Includes:

One-click WordPress transfer
Free domain name for 1 year
Free SSL certificate
Backups, CDN, staging, and more

Read Detailed Review of Bluehost Hosting Services

FAQs: Bluehost Website Migration

Is Bluehost site migration free?

Yes. Bluehost offers a free WordPress migration tool that allows you to transfer your site automatically, with no need for manual file handling.

Can I migrate non-WordPress sites with Bluehost?

Not with the plugin—but Bluehost offers paid migration for non-WordPress sites or advanced custom transfers.

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

Most WordPress sites transfer within 15–60 minutes, depending on size and plugin setup.

Will there be downtime during the migration?

No. Your old site stays live until your domain points to Bluehost. Once DNS is updated, your new site takes over.

How to Migrate Your Website to Bluehost in 2025 (Free Tool)