How to Easily Transfer Your Hosting from GoDaddy to WP Engine

If you’re reading this, I assume that you either are or at least know someone who is still using GoDaddy as their web host. (Yes, GoDaddy acquired and absorbed Bluehost a few years back, but that’s beside the point.) I’ve been a fan of GoDaddy for a long time, but lately it seems like they’re just not setting the world on fire. Especially when compared to WP Engine’s compelling offers and impressive track record. So let’s delve into how to easily transfer your hosting from GoDaddy to WP Engine.

Why Do You Want to Switch?

GoDaddy is the absolute bargain of web hosting platforms when compared to WP Engine. The shared hosting plans start at just $2.95 per month, plus you get a free domain. (The latter is not a bad deal at all.) As a result, there are thousands of little and large websites that are still hosted with GoDaddy. (There are also thousands of little and large websites that were never hosted with GoDaddy in the first place and will never go back.) This being said, GoDaddy is currently the #3 web host in the world, according to Cloudflare. (Just behind WP Engine and Bluehost.) So you’re not missing out on much by staying put.

On the other hand, WP Engine offers a full portfolio of WordPress hosting plans starting at just $5.45 per month, plus you get a free domain. (The latter is a fantastic offer considering that you get to use a popular and reputable CMS like WordPress as part of the deal.) As a result, large and small businesses across the globe have been switching to WP Engine, because it just makes sense to have your WordPress content hosted on the same platform as your websites.

There’s also a third option that I think you should consider if you’re searching for a new web host. (And no, I’m not talking about GoDaddy’s reseller program, which is actually quite a good deal if you ask me.) That option is digitalocean.com, which provides you with a VPS (Virtual Private Server) along with a free domain. (The latter is a little on the pricey side, but it’s still a great deal if you ask me.) With a VPS, you get to run your own dedicated server within an industry-standard data center. As a result, you avoid many of the pitfalls that come with shared hosting, as well as the occasional hiccup that occurs with your host’s infrastructure. (I’ve had my share of hiccups with Bluehost over the years, but Digital Ocean is a completely different story. It’s been rock solid for me since day one.)

The Good News Is…

Now, let’s try to put this into positive perspective. GoDaddy is still a pretty good deal overall, considering all of its pluses and minuses. Here are just a few of the reasons why…

• An excellent value for the money.
• Lots of features, including free backups, free domain privacy, and free domain privacy protection.
• Fast, efficient, and reliable service.
• A fantastic support team.
• And probably the biggest reason why people still flock to GoDaddy is because it’s familiar territory for many webmasters and beginners. (I know I speak for myself when I say that I’m happy to have GoDaddy as my host, even though I don’t have to.)

…But The Bad News Is

Let’s dive into the bad news now. For starters, you’re going to have to learn a bit more than you’d have to with GoDaddy. (Or at least, it’ll be a bigger jump for you.) That being said, if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop to get started with WordPress, then you can’t go wrong with either of the two hosts I mentioned above. (In fact, both of them are owned by webmasters very similar to you and me. (The founders of WordPress, Mike and Rob Buckland, started their own web host company back in 2001 and named it after themselves: Bluehost. (Yes, GoDaddy acquired Bluehost, but that’s beside the point.) As a result, they’ve grown to become quite the formidable opposition to WP Engine and other big-name hosts. (In terms of offering a free domain and hosting plans that start at just $2.95 per month plus discounted rates for popular services like WordPress and Shopify.)

Now, please don’t get me wrong. Bluehost is a fantastic product and service, but it is also completely and utterly saturated with webmasters who want to use it for their one and only website. This being said, if you’re looking for more than one site, then it might be wise to consider what kind of security and control you want to entrust your websites to. (Especially since you’re going to have to pay a little more money to get the features you want.)

The Best of Both Worlds

In the end, I think that it’s best for all parties concerned if you keep your existing web host (GoDaddy) and make a point to learn a new thing or two. (Like how to install WordPress to a VPS, for example.) In that way, you get the best of both worlds. (The familiarity of using something that you already know and love, and the flexibility and control that a VPS affords you.)

You’ll also have to decide for yourself whether you want to host your WordPress content on the same IP address (internet protocol) that you use for other purposes. (The upside is that you’ll always be able to connect to your site when you’re feeling adventurous, or if you want to test out a new feature or idea.) Or on a dedicated IP address, which is isolated from the rest of the internet. (In case you ever want to host a separate site, or you want to prevent internet users from stumbling upon your WordPress content while it’s still under development.)

Ultimately, it’s a personal choice. Some people prefer sticking with what they know, while others are motivated by price and flexibility. If you’re searching for a new web host, then consider all of the pros and the cons, and make a decision accordingly. (Hopefully, this article will help you make the right choice, and I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor.)