This guide will walk you through the essentials of importing your site to Hostinger’s website builder. You’ll learn about the new features for 2024, the advantages of site migration, and a step-by-step approach to moving your content. We’ll also cover how to deal with common import issues and optimize your site after the transfer. By the end, you’ll have the know-how to put your website on the internet using Hostinger’s platform, ensuring it’s mobile-friendly and ready for success.

What’s New in Hostinger Website Builder 2024

The Hostinger website builder has undergone significant improvements in 2024, making it easier than ever to create and manage your online presence. Let’s explore some of the exciting updates that have transformed this platform into a powerhouse for website creation.

Updated Interface

Hostinger has given its website builder a complete makeover, resulting in a more intuitive and user-friendly experience. The new interface is designed to streamline the website creation process, allowing you to build a site in under a minute. This supercharged performance is particularly beneficial for those who want to put a website on the internet quickly and efficiently.

The editor now features a sidebar that lets you add elements, adjust navigation, style your site, and access AI tools with ease. Clear icons for duplicating, uploading, moving elements, undoing, redoing, and switching between desktop and mobile editors make the process more straightforward than ever.

One of the standout features is the improved AI Builder. It’s now smarter, faster, and more visually appealing. The AI-powered system has enhanced its ability to select relevant images for your newly generated sites based on your website description. This means you’ll spend less time searching for the perfect visuals and more time fine-tuning your content.

The visual improvements extend to background designs as well. You can now create stunning layouts with gradient and video backgrounds, along with eye-catching overlays for images. To explore these new options, simply select a section on your website, click “edit section,” and choose from the various options in the background tab.

Enhanced Import Capabilities

For those looking to move their existing website to Hostinger, the platform has significantly improved its import capabilities. The Import Website feature in hPanel now supports extracting website archives in .zip, .tar, and .tar.gz formats, with an upload limit of 256MB. This enhancement makes it easier to transfer your content from other platforms to Hostinger.

Additionally, Hostinger offers a free website migration service for users with existing websites on other web hosts. This service is designed to be the fastest and safest way to migrate unlimited sites, with Hostinger’s dedicated Migration team handling the entire process.

To further streamline the import process, Hostinger has introduced an AI-Powered CSV importer. This tool ensures that you don’t need to adjust your file to meet specific formats when uploading multiple products to your online store. This feature enhances productivity by saving time and effort, making inventory management more efficient than ever.

The platform now also includes improved SEO tools to help optimize your imported content. The new SEO drawer makes it easy to manage your site’s SEO settings, get an overview of your SEO completion, receive recommendations, and set focus keywords to improve search engine visibility.

With these updates, Hostinger has positioned itself as a strong contender in the website builder market, offering a balance of ease of use, powerful features, and affordability. Whether you’re creating a new site from scratch or importing an existing one, the 2024 version of Hostinger’s website builder provides the tools you need to establish a strong online presence.

Benefits of Importing Your Full Site

Importing your full site to Hostinger’s website builder in 2024 offers numerous advantages. This process allows you to seamlessly transfer your existing online presence while taking advantage of Hostinger’s improved features and performance. Let’s explore the key benefits of migrating your website to Hostinger.

Time-Saving Advantages

One of the most significant benefits of importing your full site to Hostinger is the time you’ll save. The platform has streamlined the migration process, making it incredibly efficient. With Hostinger’s free website migration service, you can transfer unlimited sites quickly and safely. Their dedicated Migration team handles the entire process, so you don’t have to worry about the technical details.

This hands-off approach means you can focus on other aspects of your business while experts take care of moving your site. The migration process is designed to be simple and user-friendly. All you need to do is initiate a website migration request and provide a few essential details. From there, Hostinger’s team takes over, ensuring a smooth transition.

Moreover, Hostinger’s website builder includes an AI-powered CSV importer. This tool is particularly useful if you’re moving an online store, as it allows you to upload multiple products without adjusting your file to meet specific formats. This feature enhances productivity by saving time and effort in inventory management.

Preserving Existing SEO

When moving your website, maintaining your search engine rankings is crucial. Hostinger understands this and has implemented features to help preserve your existing SEO efforts during the migration process.

The platform offers improved SEO tools that make it easy to manage your site’s SEO settings after the import. The new SEO drawer provides an overview of your SEO completion, offers recommendations, and allows you to set focus keywords. These features help ensure that your site remains visible in search engine results after the migration.

Additionally, Hostinger’s migration process is designed to maintain your site’s structure and content, which is essential for preserving SEO. By keeping your URLs, meta descriptions, and other SEO elements intact, you can minimize the risk of losing your hard-earned search engine rankings.

It’s worth noting that around 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine query. By preserving your SEO during the migration, you’re maintaining your site’s potential to appear in top search results, which can lead to increased organic traffic and boost your site’s credibility.

Beyond SEO preservation, importing your site to Hostinger offers additional benefits:

1. Improved Performance: Hostinger maintains data centers across the globe, ensuring fast loading times for your website. With their Content Delivery Network (CDN), your site will use the location closest to the visitor, keeping load times as quick as possible.
2. Enhanced Security: Hostinger provides free SSL certificates, helping to secure your clients’ sensitive information and boost your site’s trustworthiness.
3. Automatic Backups: You don’t have to worry about losing data during or after the migration. Hostinger offers automatic backups for easy recovery, giving you peace of mind.
4. Scalability: As your website grows, Hostinger’s diverse range of plans can accommodate your changing needs, from personal blogs to large e-commerce stores.
5. User-Friendly Interface: After migration, you’ll have access to Hostinger’s intuitive website builder, which includes over 100 templates and an AI site builder for quick customization.

By choosing to import your full site to Hostinger, you’re not just moving your website – you’re upgrading your entire web hosting experience. With time-saving features, SEO preservation, and a host of additional benefits, Hostinger provides a solid foundation for your online presence in 2024 and beyond.

Pre-Import Checklist

Before you start importing your full site to Hostinger’s website builder, it’s crucial to go through a pre-import checklist. This will help ensure a smooth transition and minimize potential issues during and after the migration process. Let’s dive into the key steps you should take before initiating the import.

Assessing Site Compatibility

The first step in your pre-import checklist is to assess your current website’s compatibility with Hostinger’s platform. This involves checking if your existing site’s structure, content, and features align with what Hostinger’s website builder supports.

Start by reviewing your current website’s components, including themes, plugins, and custom code. Hostinger’s website builder offers a wide range of pre-made templates and customization options, but it’s important to understand that not all features from your existing site may have direct equivalents.

If you’re moving from a platform like WordPress, take note of any specific plugins or themes you’re using. While Hostinger’s website builder is user-friendly and versatile, it may not support all WordPress-specific features out of the box. However, Hostinger does offer WordPress hosting options if you prefer to stick with that platform.

For e-commerce sites, check if your product catalog and payment gateways are compatible with Hostinger’s e-commerce solutions. Hostinger’s website builder includes tools for managing online stores, but you’ll want to ensure all your products and transaction processes can be seamlessly transferred.

Gathering Necessary Files

Once you’ve assessed compatibility, the next crucial step is to gather all the necessary files for the import process. This involves collecting and organizing your website’s content, media, and data.

Start by backing up your entire website. This is a critical step that ensures you have a copy of everything in case anything goes wrong during the migration. Most hosting providers offer backup tools, or you can use plugins designed for this purpose.

Next, export your website’s database. If you’re using a content management system like WordPress, you can usually do this through the admin panel or using phpMyAdmin. Hostinger supports MySQL databases, so ensure your export is in a compatible format.

Collect all your media files, including images, videos, and documents. These are often stored in separate folders on your current hosting account. You can use Hostinger’s File Manager to upload these files directly to your new hosting environment.

If you have any custom scripts or code, make sure to gather these as well. This includes CSS files, JavaScript, and any other custom elements that contribute to your site’s functionality and appearance.

For e-commerce sites, export your product catalog, customer data, and order history. Most e-commerce platforms offer tools to export this information in formats that can be easily imported into new systems.

Lastly, don’t forget about your domain settings. If you’re transferring your domain to Hostinger or need to update DNS settings, gather the necessary information from your current registrar.

By thoroughly assessing your site’s compatibility and gathering all necessary files, you’ll be well-prepared to start the import process. This preparation will help ensure a smoother transition to Hostinger’s website builder and minimize potential disruptions to your online presence.

Navigating the Import Interface

When you’re ready to import your full site to Hostinger’s website builder, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the import interface. This user-friendly tool is designed to make the process as smooth as possible, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. Let’s break down how to navigate this interface effectively.

Locating the Import Tool

To begin the import process, you’ll need to find the import tool within Hostinger’s control panel, known as hPanel. Here’s how to locate it:

1. Log in to your Hostinger account and access hPanel.
2. Navigate to the “Websites” section.
3. Click on “Add Website” and then select “Migrate Website.”

Alternatively, you can click on your profile icon and choose “Migrate Website” from the dropdown menu. This shortcut can save you time if you’re already familiar with the hPanel layout.

Once you’ve found the import tool, you’ll be presented with a migration form. This form is your gateway to transferring your existing site to Hostinger’s platform. It’s designed to gather all the necessary information about your current website and guide you through the migration process step by step.

Understanding Import Options

Hostinger’s import interface offers several options to cater to different types of websites and migration scenarios. Here’s what you need to know about these options:

1. WordPress Single-Site Installation: If you’re moving a WordPress site, you can choose between uploading a local backup or providing admin details for a live site.
2. cPanel-Based Websites: For sites hosted on cPanel, you’ll need to provide the login URL and admin credentials.
3. Other Control Panels: If your site isn’t on WordPress or cPanel, you can still migrate it by choosing the “Other control panel” option.
4. Local Backups: For offline websites, you can upload your site files in ZIP format and your database in SQL format.

Each option comes with specific instructions and requirements. For example, if you’re uploading a WordPress backup, you’ll need to provide your website files in ZIP format and your database in SQL format, or a single WPRESS file that contains both.

It’s important to note that during the migration process, you’ll be asked to select a destination for your imported site. You can choose an existing website on your Hostinger account (which will be replaced with the migrated site) or create a new, empty website.

The import interface also includes helpful features like:

• A summary review before submission to ensure all details are correct.
• Options to provide additional notes or information about your site.
• Clear instructions for each step of the process.

By understanding these import options and navigating the interface carefully, you can ensure a smooth transition of your full site to Hostinger’s website builder. Remember, Hostinger’s support team is always available if you encounter any issues or have questions during the import process.

Executing the Site Import

Now that you’ve navigated the import interface and gathered all necessary files, it’s time to execute the site import. This process involves uploading your site archives and mapping pages and content to ensure everything transfers smoothly to Hostinger’s website builder.

Uploading Site Archives

To begin the upload process, you’ll need to use one of the methods provided by Hostinger. The File Manager in hPanel is a convenient option for smaller websites. Here’s how to use it:

• Log in to your Hostinger account and access hPanel.
• Navigate to the File Manager under the Files section.
• Go to the public_html directory or create a new folder for your site.
• Click the Upload button in the upper-right corner.
• Select your website archive file (in .zip, .tar, or .tar.gz format) and upload it.
• Once uploaded, right-click on the file and select Extract to unpack your site files.

For larger websites or if you prefer a more robust method, you can use File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Hostinger supports FTP, and you can find your FTP credentials in the hPanel under FTP Accounts. Here’s a quick guide:

• Connect to your Hostinger account using an FTP client like FileZilla.
• Navigate to the public_html directory on the remote site.
• Locate your extracted website files on your local computer.
• Select all files and upload them to the public_html directory.

Remember, there’s no size limit when using FTP, making it ideal for larger websites.

Mapping Pages and Content

After uploading your site archives, the next crucial step is mapping your pages and content to ensure everything appears correctly on Hostinger’s website builder. This process involves:

• Reviewing your site structure: Check that all pages, posts, and custom post types have transferred correctly.
• Verifying media files: Ensure all images, videos, and documents are in the correct locations and properly linked.
• Checking internal links: Update any internal links that may have changed during the migration process.
• Setting up menus: Recreate your navigation menus to match your original site structure.
• Configuring widgets and sidebars: If your previous site used widgets or sidebars, set these up in Hostinger’s website builder.
• Testing functionality: Go through each page to verify that all features, forms, and interactive elements are working as expected.
• Optimizing for mobile: Use Hostinger’s mobile editor to ensure your site looks great on all devices.

For WordPress users, Hostinger offers a streamlined process for mapping content. If you’re using the WordPress migration option, much of this mapping will be done automatically. However, it’s still important to review everything post-import to catch any discrepancies.

If you’re moving from a different platform to Hostinger’s website builder, you may need to manually recreate some elements of your site. Hostinger’s drag-and-drop editor makes this process intuitive, allowing you to quickly build pages that match your original design.

Throughout the mapping process, take advantage of Hostinger’s pre-made templates and AI-powered tools to enhance your site’s appearance and functionality. These features can help you not only recreate your original site but potentially improve upon it.

Remember, the goal is not just to transfer your content, but to ensure it’s optimized for Hostinger’s platform. This might involve adjusting layouts, updating plugins (if using WordPress), or reimagining certain elements to take full advantage of Hostinger’s website builder capabilities.

By carefully executing the site import and meticulously mapping your pages and content, you’ll ensure a smooth transition to Hostinger’s website builder. This process sets the foundation for a well-functioning, visually appealing site that’s ready to serve your audience effectively.

Post-Import Optimization

After importing your full site to Hostinger’s website builder, it’s crucial to fine-tune your website for optimal performance and user experience. This process involves adjusting design elements and integrating Hostinger-specific features to make the most of your new hosting environment.

Adjusting Design Elements

Once your site is imported, you’ll want to ensure that all design elements are functioning correctly and looking their best. Start by reviewing your site’s layout and structure. Check that all pages are displaying as intended and that navigation menus are working properly. Pay special attention to how your site appears on mobile devices, as mobile responsiveness is key for user engagement and search engine rankings.

To optimize your site’s design, use Hostinger’s Website styles menu. Here, you can adjust your color scheme and typography to match your brand identity. Set up your primary and secondary colors, and define your preferred heading and paragraph font choices. These adjustments will help create a cohesive look across your entire site.

Next, focus on optimizing your images. Large image files can significantly slow down your website, so it’s important to compress them without sacrificing quality. Aim for file sizes of 500 KB or less, and consider using tools like TinyPNG for efficient compression. Also, make sure you’re using the appropriate file formats: JPEG for photographs, PNG for graphics with transparency, and WebP for a good balance of quality and size.

Don’t forget to implement lazy loading for images, which can greatly improve your site’s loading speed. This technique ensures that images load only when they’re about to enter the user’s viewport, reducing initial page load times.

Integrating Hostinger-Specific Features

To make the most of your Hostinger website, it’s important to take advantage of the platform’s unique features. Start by enabling Hostinger’s Content Delivery Network (CDN) if you’re on a Business Web Hosting plan or higher. The CDN will distribute your site’s static content across multiple servers worldwide, reducing load times for visitors regardless of their location.

Another key feature to implement is LiteSpeed Cache. This powerful caching plugin integrates directly with Hostinger’s web server, providing intelligent cache management that can significantly boost your site’s performance. To enable LiteSpeed Cache:

• Go to the WordPress section in your Hostinger control panel.
• Click on “Overview.”
• Toggle the button next to LiteSpeed to activate it.
• Enable Object cache for even better results.

For e-commerce sites, consider integrating Hostinger’s AI-powered CSV importer. This tool streamlines the process of uploading multiple products to your online store, saving you time and effort in inventory management.

To enhance your site’s SEO, use Hostinger’s built-in SEO tools. The SEO drawer makes it easy to manage your site’s SEO settings, get an overview of your SEO completion, and set focus keywords to improve search engine visibility.

Lastly, don’t forget to set up automated backups through Hostinger’s control panel. Regular backups ensure that you can quickly restore your site in case of any issues, providing peace of mind as you continue to optimize and grow your online presence.

By carefully adjusting your design elements and integrating Hostinger’s specific features, you’ll create a website that not only looks great but also performs exceptionally well. Remember, optimization is an ongoing process, so regularly review and update your site to maintain its performance and effectiveness.

Resolving Common Import Challenges

When importing your full site to Hostinger’s website builder, you might encounter some challenges. Don’t worry – these issues are common and can be resolved with a bit of troubleshooting. Let’s look at some typical problems and how to fix them.

Dealing with Incompatible Elements

As you move your site to Hostinger’s platform, you might find that some elements don’t work as expected. This often happens when transferring from a different content management system or website builder. Here’s how to handle incompatible elements:

• Identify the problematic elements: Go through your imported site carefully, noting any features or design elements that aren’t functioning correctly.
• Check for plugin compatibility: If you’re moving from WordPress, some plugins might not work with Hostinger’s website builder. Look for alternative solutions or built-in features that can replace these plugins.
• Use Hostinger’s pre-made templates: If certain design elements aren’t translating well, consider using Hostinger’s templates as a starting point. You can then customize these to match your original design as closely as possible.
• Utilize the drag-and-drop editor: Hostinger’s intuitive editor allows you to recreate complex layouts easily. This can be a great way to rebuild sections that didn’t import correctly.
• Contact Hostinger support: If you’re stuck with a particularly tricky element, don’t hesitate to reach out to Hostinger’s customer support team. They can provide guidance on how to recreate specific features using the website builder’s tools.

Fixing Broken Links

Broken links are a common issue after site migration, but they can significantly impact your site’s user experience and SEO. Here’s how to identify and fix broken links:

• Use a broken link checker: Hostinger doesn’t have a built-in broken link checker, but you can use free online tools or WordPress plugins like Broken Link Checker if you’re using WordPress.
• Check internal links: Pay special attention to your navigation menu, footer links, and any internal links within your content. Update these to reflect your new site structure if needed.
• Update external links: If you’ve changed your domain or page URLs, make sure to update any external links pointing to your site. You might need to contact other website owners or update your social media profiles.
• Set up redirects: For any pages that have changed URLs, set up 301 redirects. This ensures that visitors (and search engines) are sent to the correct pages on your new site.
• Check embedded content: If you have embedded videos, images, or other content from external sources, verify that these are still working correctly after the import.
• Update your sitemap: After fixing broken links, generate a new sitemap and submit it to search engines to ensure they can crawl your updated site structure.

Remember, resolving import challenges is a normal part of the migration process. Take your time to go through your site methodically, addressing issues as you find them. With patience and attention to detail, you’ll have your site running smoothly on Hostinger’s website builder in no time.

Conclusion

Importing your full site to Hostinger’s website builder in 2024 has become a streamlined process, offering numerous benefits to enhance your online presence. The platform’s updated interface, improved import capabilities, and AI-powered tools make the transition smoother than ever. By following the pre-import checklist, navigating the import interface, and executing the site import carefully, you can ensure a successful migration of your existing website.

After the import, it’s crucial to optimize your site for its new environment. This involves adjusting design elements, integrating Hostinger-specific features, and resolving any common import challenges that may arise. With attention to detail and the use of Hostinger’s built-in tools, you can create a website that not only preserves your original content but also takes advantage of the platform’s enhanced performance and user-friendly features. In the end, the process of importing your full site to Hostinger sets the stage for a stronger, more efficient online presence in 2024 and beyond.

FAQs

How can I import an entire website into Hostinger?
To import a website into Hostinger, first log in to your Hostinger account and access the hPanel. Navigate to the File Manager and enter the public_html directory. Here, click on the ‘Upload Files’ icon located in the upper-right menu. Choose the website archive file from your computer and upload it to the server.

What is the typical duration for migrating a website to Hostinger?
The migration process itself is quick, but it takes about 24 hours for domain propagation to complete after uploading your website to Hostinger. During this time, your website will become fully functional under the new domain. Note that email migration needs to be handled separately.

Has Zyro been integrated with Hostinger Website Builder?
Yes, as of December 2023, Zyro has been discontinued and its features have been fully integrated into the Hostinger Website Builder. This integration includes all the core features of Zyro like AI tools, templates, and e-commerce capabilities, along with additional functionalities offered at a more affordable price.

What are the steps to transfer a local WordPress site to Hostinger?
To transfer a local WordPress site to Hostinger, start by uploading your site files via the ‘Upload → File’ option. After uploading, locate the ‘wp-config.php’ file, right-click on it and choose ‘Edit’. Update the database details including DB_NAME, DB_USER, and DB_PASSWORD to match your new Hostinger database. Save the changes by clicking ‘Save’ in the top right corner.