Order of work
| Step | Where | Done when |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Back up | HostGator cPanel | Archive and SQL file stored off both hosts |
| 2. Copy WordPress | SiteGround Migrator | Temporary URL loads |
| 3. Verify members | Temporary URL | Checklist below passes |
| 4. Create mailboxes | SiteGround Site Tools | Each address exists with enough quota |
| 5. Copy mail | SiteGround Email Migrator | Status shows complete |
| 6. DNS | Registrar or HostGator DNS | Site and MX resolve to SiteGround |
| 7. Second mail pass | Email Migrator | About 72 hours after MX change |
| 8. Cancel HostGator | HostGator billing | After all checks pass |
Step 1: Back up from HostGator cPanel
HostGator's web hosting page describes cPanel as its control panel, says files are backed up weekly, and describes its automatic backups as a courtesy. Do not rely on a host's courtesy backup for a move. In cPanel, the Backup Wizard offers a full backup and partial backups of the home directory, MySQL databases, and email forwarders and filters.
cPanel's documentation says you cannot automatically restore a full backup in cPanel; that function is only available in WHM. SiteGround's documented import routes are the Migrator plugin, a professional transfer, or an empty site you fill over FTP or SSH, so for this move the useful pieces are the partial home directory archive and the MySQL database file. Keep the full backup as well, as an archive of everything including mail stored in your home directory.
Step 2: Copy WordPress to SiteGround
In SiteGround Site Tools go to WordPress > Migrator, choose the domain and path, and click Generate. Install the SiteGround Migrator plugin on the HostGator site, paste the token and start the transfer. SiteGround's tutorial says it copies files and databases, keeps your URL structure, updates internal links, and creates a temporary URL active for 48 hours. The plugin listing says it is not suitable for full Multisite installations.
If the plugin stalls, SiteGround offers a professional transfer by its team, which may take up to 5 business days, or an empty site you fill yourself with the backup files. SiteGround's WordPress hosting page advertises free site transfer on all plans for a limited time; check the current price in the Client Area.
Step 3: Member-login verification pass
Do this on the temporary URL, within its 48 hours, and freeze member-facing changes on HostGator during the window. If new sign-ups or orders happen during testing, either repeat the copy or reconcile those records by hand after cutover.
- Log in as a test student and as an administrator on the new copy; confirm the session survives a page change and a logout.
- Pick three real members at different stages and compare course progress, quiz attempts and certificates on both copies.
- Compare the number of active memberships or subscriptions and the newest five orders on both copies.
- Send a password reset and a purchase receipt from the new copy and confirm both arrive.
- Open a protected lesson while logged out and confirm it is still blocked.
- Confirm Speed Optimizer is not caching account, checkout or lesson pages; logged-in users are not cached by default, but add path exclusions for anything personalised.
Step 4: Email, then DNS
Create each mailbox in SiteGround Site Tools first; Email Migrator needs the destination account to exist. The default quota is 1024 MB and must be larger than the mailbox's size on HostGator. Email Migrator copies over IMAP, handles mailboxes up to 7 GB, and runs one transfer at a time. SiteGround's article does not say whether contacts, calendars or filters are copied, so export those from your mail client separately.
For DNS you have two documented options. Changing nameservers to ns1.siteground.net and ns2.siteground.net moves DNS and email management to SiteGround; add any custom records such as verification TXT entries in the DNS Zone Editor first. Changing only the A record points the website while leaving other records and email where they are, which is useful if you want to move mail later.
SiteGround says MX changes may take up to 72 hours to propagate, during which mail may still arrive at HostGator. Run Email Migrator again about 72 hours after the change to collect it; SiteGround says this does not create duplicates.
Step 5: Cancel HostGator last
SiteGround recommends no site changes for 48 hours after switching DNS. Keep HostGator active through the second mail pass, confirm the newest orders and enrolments exist only on SiteGround, download a final copy of anything left in the HostGator home directory, then cancel.
Questions before you decide
Can SiteGround restore a HostGator full cPanel backup directly?
cPanel says a full backup can only be restored automatically through WHM. Use SiteGround Migrator, or upload the home directory files and import the database yourself.
How big a mailbox can SiteGround Email Migrator move?
SiteGround says mailboxes up to 7 GB, and the destination mailbox quota must be larger than the mailbox size on the old server.
Why run Email Migrator twice?
MX changes can take up to 72 hours to propagate, so some mail may still reach HostGator. SiteGround recommends a second run about 72 hours later and says it will not create duplicates.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- HostGator: Web hosting plans Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- cPanel Docs: Backup Wizard Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- SiteGround KB: Transfer a website with WordPress Migrator Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- SiteGround: WordPress Automatic Migrator tutorial Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- WordPress.org: SiteGround Migrator plugin Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- SiteGround: How to transfer an existing website Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- SiteGround: WordPress hosting plans Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- SiteGround KB: Transfer email from a previous host via Email Migrator Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- SiteGround KB: Point your domain to SiteGround Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- SiteGround: Speed Optimizer caching (SuperCacher) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.