Migrate WordPress from GoDaddy in 12 steps
Zero downtime. All plugins, themes and uploads intact. Do it on a Friday evening.
Before you start
Open two browser tabs: one logged into your GoDaddy account, one into your new Cernet account. Grab a coffee.
Step 1 — Make a backup at GoDaddy
In your GoDaddy cPanel: Files → Backup Wizard → Full Backup. Download to your computer (~5–15 minutes depending on site size).
Step 2 — Make a second backup via UpdraftPlus
In WP-admin: install UpdraftPlus → Backup Now. Belt and braces — if one backup is corrupt, you have another.
Step 3 — Order Web Hosting Business at Cernet
From cernet.host/web-hosting. During checkout pick a temporary domain like yourbusiness.cernet-staging.host. We move the real domain later.
Step 4 — Ask our migration team to take it from here
Send a ticket to [email protected] with "GoDaddy migration" and your backup file. We'll do steps 5-9 for you. Skip this whole recipe if you want — but most people enjoy seeing how it works.
Step 5 — Upload the backup
Via SFTP (host = your new Cernet sub-domain, user = the username from your welcome email, port = 22). Upload the backup file to /home/youruser/.
Step 6 — Import in cPanel
Cernet cPanel → Backup Wizard → Restore → Full Backup. Select the file. 5-10 minutes.
Step 7 — Test on the temporary URL
Open yourbusiness.cernet-staging.host. Click through key pages: homepage, contact, checkout, admin. Everything correct?
Step 8 — Request EPP code at GoDaddy
GoDaddy → Domains → Manage → Transfer out. Disable transfer-lock. Request the EPP/Auth code — arrives by email.
Step 9 — Start domain transfer at Cernet
Cernet dashboard → Domains → Transfer in. Paste EPP code. Confirm by email. Wait: 5-7 days for registry.
Step 10 — Change DNS A records (cutover)
After successful domain transfer: A records auto-point to Cernet IPs. You can pre-cutover by manually updating DNS at GoDaddy for instant switch.
Step 11 — Reissue SSL
cPanel → SSL/TLS → AutoSSL. Click. Done in 2 minutes.
Step 12 — Final check and cancel GoDaddy
Test once more. Email working? Checkout working? Pages faster? Good. Cancel your GoDaddy account (within their 30-day refund window if applicable).
Need help?
We do the whole migration for free. Send a ticket to [email protected] and you only need to do steps 1, 3, 8 and 12 yourself.