How to Migrate a WordPress Site to Kinsta (Step by Step)

Moving to a managed WordPress host like Kinsta can improve how your site is handled, but the move itself worries many site owners. The good news is that Kinsta offers free basic migrations, so you often don’t have to do the technical work yourself.

This guide explains how to migrate WordPress to Kinsta using Kinsta’s migration team or a plugin, what to prepare, how to avoid downtime and what to check afterward. If you’re comparing hosts first, see our guide on Hostinger vs Bluehost for beginners.

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How we put this guide together: These steps are based on Kinsta’s public documentation, checked in October 2026. Menu names, prices and rules can change, so confirm current details on Kinsta’s website. We have not hands-on tested this migration.

Before You Start

Prepare these items:

• A Kinsta account with a hosting plan
• Admin login details for your current WordPress site
• Your WordPress login URL and whether the site uses HTTPS
• A full backup of your current site
• Access to your domain’s DNS settings (needed later)
• A quiet time to switch, such as a low-traffic period

Check what kind of site you have, because it affects your options:

Site type	What to know
Standard WordPress.org site	Works with Kinsta’s free basic migration
WordPress multisite	Must be moved as a whole network, not one sub-site
WordPress.com site	Can’t be copied normally; plugins need to be reinstalled

Which Migration Method Should You Use?

Method	Effort	Best for
Free migration by Kinsta’s team	Low	Most people, especially beginners
Expedited migration (paid)	Low	When you need it done faster
Migrate Guru plugin	Medium	DIY users comfortable with plugins
Duplicator or backup upload	Medium	When you already have a backup file
Manual migration	High	Developers or special cases

If you are not confident with technical steps, the free team migration is the safest starting point.

Step 1: Back Up Your Site

Do this first, no matter which method you choose.

1. Use a backup plugin or your current host’s backup tool.
2. Download the backup to your own computer.
3. Write down your WordPress version, theme and plugin list.

Our list of essential WordPress plugins for new sites includes backup options.

Step 2: Sign Up for Kinsta

Choose a plan and create your account. Check the current plan limits, such as number of sites and monthly visits, so your site fits.

Step 3: Request a Free Migration in MyKinsta

This is the simplest route.

1. Log in to MyKinsta.
2. Go to Sites (called WordPress Sites in some versions).
3. Click Add site, then choose Request migration.
4. Enter the details Kinsta asks for:
   • Your domain
   • WordPress admin login and login URL
   • Whether the site uses HTTPS
5. Choose when to migrate: straight away or scheduled, which suits sites that change often.
6. Submit the request.

Timing note: Kinsta says migrations are done on weekdays, not weekends, so plan around that. You can also choose an expedited migration for an extra fee if you need it sooner. Check the current price before you order.

Step 4: Track the Migration

After you submit the request:

1. Open MyKinsta > Sites > Migrations to see the status.
2. Kinsta creates a new site and moves a copy of your site there.
3. Your old site keeps running during this time.
4. If you have questions, open a support ticket from MyKinsta.

Tip: Avoid big changes on your old site while the copy is being made, especially new posts, orders or comments. They may not appear on the new copy.

Step 5: Review the New Site Before Going Live

Kinsta usually gives you a temporary address so you can check the new copy before your domain points to it. Look for:

• Pages and posts loading correctly
• Images, menus and forms working
• Your theme and plugins in place
• Logins and checkout (if you run a store)
• Mobile display

Fix any problems now, before visitors are sent to the new server.

Step 6: Point Your Domain to Kinsta (DNS Change)

Your site will not go live on Kinsta until you change the DNS settings. Kinsta shows you the details to use.

1. Get the DNS values from MyKinsta for your site.
2. Log in to wherever your domain’s DNS is managed.
3. Update the records as instructed.
4. Save and wait for the change to spread, which can take from minutes to a day or two.
5. Test your domain in a private browser window.

If you use email on the domain, check your email records before changing DNS so email doesn’t stop working. If you want to understand nameservers and DNS records, see our guide on connecting a domain to Hostinger, which explains the same ideas.

Method 2: DIY with the Migrate Guru Plugin

Use this if you prefer to move the site yourself.

1. In MyKinsta, add a new site and install WordPress.
2. Log in to your existing site and install Migrate Guru from the WordPress plugin directory, then activate it.
3. Log in to the new Kinsta site and install and activate Migrate Guru there too.
4. On the new site, open Migrate Guru and copy the migration key.
5. Go back to the old site, open Migrate Guru and paste the key.
6. Start the migration and follow the prompts.
7. Check the new site, then update DNS.

Kinsta itself advises that if you’re worried about your data, the migrations team is the safer choice, since plugins can fail.

Special Cases

• WordPress multisite: The whole network has to be migrated together. Kinsta’s team can’t turn one sub-site into a standalone site.
• WordPress.com: WordPress.com doesn’t give access to your site files or database, so a traditional migration isn’t possible. Your site may look different after the move, and plugin features will need plugins reinstalled.
• Very large or custom sites: Contact Kinsta support before you start.

After the Move: Checklist

• Site loads on your real domain
• HTTPS works with a secure padlock
• Images, menus and forms work
• Permalinks and internal links work
• Plugins and theme are updated
• New backups are set up
• SEO plugin and sitemap work
• Google Search Console shows no new errors
• Email still works
• Old hosting is kept until you are sure everything works

Don’t cancel the old hosting right away. Keep it for a short time as a fallback, and check its cancellation terms.

Common Problems and Fixes

The site looks different on the new server.
Clear your caches and check your theme, plugins and PHP version.

Images are missing.
Media files may not have copied. Tell Kinsta support or retry the migration.

The domain still shows the old site.
DNS may still be updating. Wait and try a private window.

The plugin migration fails.
Plugins can fail on large or complex sites. Request a team migration instead.

You edited the old site during the move.
Those changes may be missing from the copy. Compare content and redo edits.

Emails stopped working.
Your email records may have been affected by the DNS change. Restore the old email records.

Tips for a Smooth Migration

• Pick a quiet time for the switch.
• Pause new content and orders while the copy is being made.
• Take screenshots of your settings before and after.
• Keep your backup until the new site has run smoothly.
• Ask Kinsta support if something looks wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kinsta migrate WordPress sites for free?

Yes. Kinsta says its basic migrations are free for standard WordPress sites, and you can request one in MyKinsta. Extra options such as expedited migration cost more. Check the current terms.

How long does a Kinsta migration take?

It depends on the size of your site and when you submit the request. Kinsta handles migrations on weekdays, and expedited migrations aim for faster completion.

Will my site have downtime?

Your old site keeps running while Kinsta moves a copy, and the new site doesn’t go live until you change DNS. Downtime can be minimal if you test first and switch carefully.

Can I migrate from WordPress.com to Kinsta?

Not with a traditional migration. WordPress.com doesn’t allow access to your files or database, so your site may look different and plugins would need to be reinstalled.

Can I migrate a WordPress multisite?

Yes, but the whole network must be moved together. A single sub-site can’t be turned into a standalone site by Kinsta’s team.

Is Migrate Guru safe to use?

It’s a free, widely used plugin, and Kinsta documents it. But plugins can fail on complex sites, so use the migrations team if you’re worried.

Will moving hosts hurt my SEO?

Not if your URLs and content stay the same and the site works after the move. Check redirects, your sitemap and Search Console afterward. No one can guarantee rankings.

Conclusion

To migrate WordPress to Kinsta, back up your site, sign up, request a free migration in MyKinsta and review the copy before you update DNS. Use Migrate Guru only if you prefer a DIY approach, and ask for help with special cases like multisite or WordPress.com. Move at a quiet time, keep your old host until you’re sure and check everything afterward.