How To Migrate My Website From GoDaddy
The correct GoDaddy migration route depends on the product behind the domain. A cPanel hosting account, Managed WordPress plan, Website Builder site, VPS, and Microsoft 365 mailbox do not expose the same files, databases, or credentials. Start by identifying the hosting product instead of treating the GoDaddy login as the migration method.
Moving the website does not automatically move DNS registration or email. Preserve the domain's existing MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records unless the mail service is also changing.
Choose The Source Route
- cPanel hosting: use the document root, database, database user, file manager, FTP/SFTP, or SSH access available to the account.
- Managed WordPress: use WordPress admin access and the Migration Monkey source agent when plugins are allowed, or use the host's SFTP and database access.
- Website Builder: inventory pages, text, images, forms, products, URLs, and SEO settings; hosted builders usually require export or rebuild work instead of a raw server copy.
- VPS or dedicated server: use SSH and database access for a direct application-aware move.
Prepare The Destination
Create the destination site, runtime, database, and writable path before starting. For WordPress, a fresh install can provide the receiver even while the domain still points to GoDaddy. Test through a temporary domain, destination IP, preview URL, or hosts-file override.
Move Files And Database
Detect the application from the source install folder, then transfer the required files and database directly to the destination. Exclude disposable cache and old backup archives only after confirming they are not needed. For a new domain or preview hostname, run application-aware URL replacement and retain a rollback copy.
Keep DNS And Email Intact
If GoDaddy remains the registrar or DNS provider, update only the web records required for cutover. If Microsoft 365, Professional Email, cPanel mail, or another provider handles email, leave its mail records in place. When email is moving too, use a separate mailbox inventory and migration plan with a final delta sync before changing MX records.
Verify Before Canceling
Test admin login, pages, media, forms, ecommerce, SSL, redirects, cron, and logs on the destination. Confirm public DNS and mail flow after cutover, then keep the GoDaddy hosting plan active until the acceptance window and rollback period are complete. Use the website migration checklist for the full sequence.