Step‑by‑Step Guide to Transfer a Freelance Site to Hostinger

Updated 2026-07-15 · Hosting Reviews

Moving a freelance site to a reliable host doesn’t have to be a headache. This transfer freelance site to Hostinger guide walks you through everything you need—hosting, domain, platform choices, costs, and the exact steps to get your small business website live quickly.

What You Need Before You Start

Gather these items first so the migration goes smoothly:

• Current website files (HTML, CSS, images) or a backup from your existing platform.
• Database export if you’re using WordPress, Joomla, or another CMS.
• Domain registrar login details (where your domain is registered).
• Access to your current hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc.).

Having these on hand prevents last‑minute scrambles and keeps downtime to a minimum.

Choosing the Right Hostinger Plan

Hostinger offers three main types of shared hosting plans that cover most small business needs:

1. Single Shared – Ideal for a single site with modest traffic. Expect prices around $3‑$5 per month (intro rate).
2. Premium Shared – Supports multiple sites, unlimited bandwidth, and free daily backups. Costs typically $5‑$8 per month.
3. Business Shared – Adds SEO tools, premium support, and faster CPU allocation. Usually $8‑$15 per month.

If you anticipate rapid growth or need more control, Hostinger also provides cloud and VPS options, but for a standard freelance portfolio and a few service pages, shared hosting is the most cost‑effective choice.

Domain and Professional Email Setup

Hostinger bundles a free domain for the first year with most plans. Register your domain (e.g., yourname.com) through Hostinger’s dashboard, then set up professional email addresses like info@yourname.com. This simple step boosts credibility and keeps your brand consistent across communications.

Platform Decision: WordPress vs. Hostinger Website Builder

Both options work, but they serve different skill levels:

• WordPress – Best if you want full control, SEO plugins, and the ability to scale. Hostinger provides one‑click WordPress installation and free SSL, so you can launch in minutes.
• Hostinger Website Builder – Drag‑and‑drop interface, ideal for beginners who prefer a visual layout without plugins. It includes built‑in mobile responsiveness and basic SEO fields.

For a freelance portfolio that may grow into a blog or e‑commerce store, WordPress is usually the smarter long‑term investment.

Speed, Security, and SEO Basics

Regardless of platform, follow these quick wins:

• Free SSL – Activate it from the Hostinger control panel; it protects data and improves Google ranking.
• Performance caching – Use Hostinger’s built‑in caching or a plugin like LiteSpeed Cache for WordPress.
• Image optimization – Compress images before uploading (tools like TinyPNG) to reduce load time.
• Local SEO – Add your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) on every page, and submit the site to Google My Business.

These steps keep your site fast, secure, and visible to local customers without extra cost.

Step‑by‑Step Transfer Process

Now that you’ve selected a plan and platform, follow this straightforward migration checklist:

1. Purchase a Hostinger plan that matches your budget and includes a domain.
2. Set up the domain in Hostinger’s DNS manager (point the nameservers to Hostinger if the domain is registered elsewhere).
3. Install WordPress with the one‑click installer, or launch the Website Builder if you prefer.
4. Upload your site files:
   • For static sites, use the File Manager or an FTP client (FileZilla) to copy HTML, CSS, and assets into the public_html folder.
   • For WordPress, import the database via phpMyAdmin and replace the wp-config.php values with the new database credentials.
5. Update URLs if your domain changed. Use a plugin like "Better Search Replace" to swap old URLs with the new domain.
6. Enable free SSL from the Hostinger dashboard and force HTTPS.
7. Test everything – Check pages, forms, and email accounts on the live domain before canceling the old host.
8. Set up backups – Activate Hostinger’s automatic daily backups to protect your work.

After confirming the site works, you can point the old domain’s nameservers to Hostinger (if not already done) and let the DNS propagate. Most transfers are live within 24 hours, often much sooner.

Cost Overview and Renewal Reminder

Initial hosting with Hostinger typically costs $3‑$15 per month, depending on the plan you choose. Domains are free for the first year, then renew at about $10‑$15 annual. Professional email addresses are usually included; if you need extra mailboxes, expect a small add‑on fee (often $1‑$2 per mailbox per month). Remember that introductory rates often rise after the first term, so check renewal pricing before you commit.

FAQ

Do I need technical knowledge to move my site?

Not really. Hostinger’s one‑click WordPress installer and intuitive file manager let beginners migrate static sites with just a few clicks. For more complex sites, basic FTP and database skills are helpful but not mandatory.

Can I keep my current email while transferring the domain?

Yes. If you use a third‑party email service (e.g., Google Workspace), simply keep the existing MX records in the DNS settings after pointing the domain to Hostinger.

How long does the migration take?

Uploading files and importing a database usually takes 10‑30 minutes, depending on size. DNS propagation can take up to 24 hours, but the site is typically reachable much sooner.