Home Migrations How to Migrate Websites and Domains Between cPanel Accounts

How to Migrate Websites and Domains Between cPanel Accounts

Last updated on Aug 08, 2025

How to Migrate Websites and Domains Between cPanel Accounts

**Description:**A step-by-step guide for shared hosting customers moving websites, databases, and emails between cPanel accounts within their hosting service. This process is manual and must be carried out by you, as it is outside the scope of Brixly support.

⚠️ Important Notice

  • **Brixly Support cannot perform these migrations for you.**This guide is intended for self-service only.
  • You do not need server admin/root access. All tasks use standard cPanel features.

Table of Contents

Pre-Migration Checklist

Before you begin, ensure you have:

  • Access to both cPanel accounts
  • Sufficient disk space in the destination account
  • All relevant login credentials (cPanel, FTP, email, etc.)
  • A backup copy of your website, database, and emails

Step 1: Back Up Your Website Files

  1. Log in to the source cPanel account.
  2. Go to File Manager.
  3. Select your website’s folder (usually public_html or a subfolder).
  4. Compress the folder:
    • Right-click > Compress > Choose ZIP (or tar.gz) > Compress File(s).
  5. Download the compressed file to your computer.

Example:

# Compressing the public_html folder (in File Manager)

Step 2: Back Up Your Databases

  1. In cPanel, open phpMyAdmin.
  2. Select the relevant database from the left sidebar.
  3. Click the Export tab.
  4. Choose Quick export method and SQL format.
  5. Click Go to download the database file.

**Tip:**If you have multiple databases, repeat for each one.

Step 3: Back Up Your Emails (Optional)

If you wish to retain emails, you have several options:

  • Via cPanel Email Account Backup:
    1. In File Manager, navigate to:mail/yourdomain.com/
    2. Compress and download the relevant email folders.
  • Via Email Client (e.g., Outlook, Thunderbird):
    1. Connect both old and new accounts via IMAP.
    2. Drag-and-drop emails between accounts.

Note: Email migrations can be complex. For large mailboxes, using an email client may be easier.

Step 4: Create Your New cPanel Account

  1. Log in to the destination cPanel account.
  2. If you are adding a new domain, use Addon Domains to add the domain.
  3. If creating a subdomain, use the Subdomains feature.

Step 5: Upload and Restore Your Website Files

  1. In destination cPanel, open File Manager.
  2. Navigate to the target directory (public_html or your addon's document root).
  3. Click Upload and select the ZIP (or tar.gz) file from Step 1.
  4. Once uploaded, select the file and choose Extract.
  5. Ensure the contents are in the correct directory.

Step 6: Import Your Database

  1. In destination cPanel, go to MySQL® Databases.
  2. Create a new database and user. Assign the user to the database.
  3. Go to phpMyAdmin.
  4. Select the new database.
  5. Click the Import tab, choose your .sql file from Step 2, and click Go.

Step 7: Update Configuration Files

You must update your website’s configuration to use the new database details.

  • Open wp-config.php (WordPress), configuration.php (Joomla), or your app’s config file in File Manager.
  • Update the following values:
DB_NAME
DB_USER
DB_PASSWORD
DB_HOST

Example for WordPress:

define('DB_NAME', 'new_db_name');
define('DB_USER', 'new_db_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_db_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

Step 8: Update DNS/Domain Settings

  • If the domain is staying on the same server, no change is needed.
  • If moving to a different server/account, update the domain’s A record or nameservers via your registrar.
  • Allow time for DNS propagation (up to 24 hours).

Troubleshooting & FAQs

My website isn’t loading after migration!

  • Double-check that files are in the correct directory.
  • Ensure database credentials in your configuration file match those in cPanel.
  • Verify your DNS settings.

Emails did not migrate!

  • Confirm that you downloaded and re-uploaded the correct mail folders.
  • For IMAP migrations, ensure the email client is fully synchronised.

Database import errors?

  • Check if the SQL file is too large. For large files, split them or use SSH/command line (if available).
  • Make sure the database exists and the user has full privileges.

Useful Tools & Resources

  • cPanel File Manager: For managing files and compressing/uncompressing archives.
  • phpMyAdmin: For exporting/importing MySQL databases.
  • Email Clients (Thunderbird, Outlook): For mailbox migrations via IMAP.
  • cPanel Documentation
  • Brixly Knowledge Base

**Remember:**This process is manual and must be managed by you. If you run into issues outside the above guidance, we recommend seeking help from a qualified web professional.