To migrate from HostGator to GoDaddy without losing SEO, the key is to copy your files and database first, test the site on the new server before changing your DNS, and make the nameserver switch in under an hour to minimize downtime. Follow the right order and Google will barely notice the change.
Many sites lose rankings after a migration — but not because they switched providers. They lose because the process was done in the wrong order: DNS changed before the new server was ready, or the site was never checked after the move. This guide takes you down the safe path.
Before You Start: What to Prepare
A successful migration doesn't improvise. Before touching anything, have these ready:
- Access to both panels: HostGator's cPanel and GoDaddy's cPanel or Plesk.
- Access to your domain registrar: wherever your DNS is currently pointing (could be HostGator, GoDaddy, or a third party).
- Full site backup: files + database. Download it to your computer, not just the provider's cloud.
- Current rankings snapshot: export a report from Google Search Console before migrating. You'll need a baseline to detect any drops.
- Maintenance window: pick a low-traffic time (early Tuesday or Wednesday morning is the classic choice).
Step 1: Back Up Your Site on HostGator
In HostGator's cPanel, go to Backups (or Backup Wizard) and download:
- A full backup of all site files (typically the entire
public_htmldirectory). - A MySQL dump for each database your site uses.
If your site runs on WordPress, you can also use UpdraftPlus or All-in-One WP Migration for a more manageable backup.
Save the files to your computer. Don't rely solely on a remote backup — if something goes wrong, you need that local copy.
Step 2: Upload the Site to GoDaddy and Test It
With your backup in hand, log in to GoDaddy's cPanel and:
- Create a new MySQL database and user under MySQL Databases.
- Import the SQL dump via phpMyAdmin.
- Upload the files to
public_htmlusing the File Manager or FTP. - Update the configuration file with the new database credentials (in WordPress:
wp-config.php).
Now you need to view the site on GoDaddy before changing DNS. To do this, edit the hosts file on your computer and temporarily point your domain to GoDaddy's server IP. This way only you see the new site; for everyone else (including Google), the old site keeps running.
Check that everything works: forms, images, menus, checkout (if applicable), and load speed.
Step 3: Audit Technical SEO Before Changing DNS
This is the step most people skip — and the one that costs the most rankings. Before moving the DNS, verify:
- Identical URLs: every page must have exactly the same path as on HostGator. A different URL means a different page to Google.
- 301 redirects: if HostGator had any redirects in place, recreate them on GoDaddy (
.htaccessin Apache or cPanel's redirect manager). - HTTPS active: install the SSL certificate on GoDaddy before the switch. A site that loses HTTPS overnight takes a trust hit in Google.
- robots.txt and sitemap: must be at their usual paths (
/robots.txtand/sitemap.xml). - Page speed: run the GoDaddy site through PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. If it's slower than before, optimize first.
If your site is on WordPress, make sure Yoast SEO or Rank Math is installed on the new server and generating metadata and the sitemap exactly as before.
Step 4: Change DNS and Close HostGator
Once the GoDaddy site is tested and working perfectly:
- Log in to wherever your domain is registered.
- Update the nameservers to GoDaddy's (typically
ns1.domaincontrol.comandns2.domaincontrol.com). - Wait for propagation: usually 1–4 hours for most regions, though it can take up to 48 hours in edge cases.
- Monitor the live site and confirm that email and forms are still working.
Once everything is confirmed working on GoDaddy, you can cancel your HostGator plan. Don't cancel before verifying — if something breaks in the first hours, you need to be able to revert the DNS change.
Post-Migration SEO Checklist
| Task | Tool | When |
|---|---|---|
| Verify site in Google Search Console | Search Console | Immediately after |
| Submit updated sitemap | Search Console | Day 1 |
| Check crawl errors | Search Console → Coverage | Days 2–3 |
| Compare rankings before vs. after | Semrush, Ahrefs, or Search Console | Week 1 and Week 4 |
| Verify active backlinks | Ahrefs or Google Search Console | Week 2 |
It's normal to see a small ranking fluctuation in the first 7–14 days after changing servers. If the migration was done correctly, Google will re-crawl the site within days and rankings will stabilize. If the drop persists for more than a month, check your redirects and URLs first.
If you'd prefer a technical team to handle the migration for you, elenlace.com offers zero-downtime migrations with an SEO continuity guarantee.
Key Takeaways
- Never change DNS before the site is fully working on the new server.
- A full backup (files + database) on your local machine is your safety net.
- URLs, 301 redirects, and HTTPS must be identical on GoDaddy before the switch.
- DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours; plan the migration during low-traffic hours.
- Monitor rankings and crawl errors in Search Console for the first four weeks.
Need help with your migration or choosing the best hosting for your project in Mexico? Visit elenlace.com and talk to our team.
Find more hosting guides and comparisons in our comparisons section.
FAQ
How long does DNS propagation take when migrating from HostGator to GoDaddy?
In most cases, 1 to 4 hours — though the technical standard allows up to 48 hours. You can use tools like dnschecker.org to monitor propagation in real time across different countries.
Will I lose Google rankings during the migration?
If you follow the correct process (copy first, test, then change DNS), ranking loss is minimal and temporary. Google re-crawls the site within days and rankings stabilize. Poorly executed migrations — long downtime, changed URLs, missing HTTPS — can cause significant drops.
Do I need to tell Google I changed hosting providers?
You don't need to notify Google about a server change if the domain stays the same. Just make sure your sitemap is up to date in Google Search Console to speed up re-crawling.
Can I migrate to GoDaddy without going through cPanel?
GoDaddy offers an assisted migration service, but availability depends on your plan. On cPanel plans, the process is as described above. If you have a managed WordPress plan, GoDaddy may migrate the site automatically — check with their support team before proceeding manually.
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