---
title: "Manual Migration | Hostman Docs"
description: "Migrate your project to Hostman yourself, using a control panel or a manual setup with LAMP, SFTP, and database configuration."
---

> For the complete documentation index for AI agents, see [llms.txt](https://hostman.com/llms.txt).

If you'd rather migrate your project yourself, follow the steps below to set up your server and migrate your project.

## Step 1. Install the Required Software

If you don't plan to use a control panel, we recommend [installing LAMP automatically](https://hostman.com/my/servers/create?createServerEntrySource=servers-cta-button&zone=fra-1&configurator=97&cpu=10&gpu=0&ram=6&drive=80&os=99&software=17) when you create your server.

LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) is the software stack needed to run and correctly display dynamic websites and web applications.

![Create Server 2026 07 31 10 58](https://content.hostman.com/assets/da3721d8-04ee-4cff-b3e3-382f6ff87e2d.png?width=750&height=543)

Alternatively, you can create a server with a clean OS and install LAMP manually later.

## Step 2. Set Up Your Domain

Once your server is ready, [add your domain](https://hostman.com/docs/domains/add/) in the dashboard under **[Domains & SSL](https://hostman.com/my/domains)**.

If you're migrating between two Hostman accounts, [move the domain](https://hostman.com/docs/domains/move-between-accounts/) to the destination account and point its A record to the new server's IP address. If the domain uses Hostman nameservers, you can do this [from the **Domains & SSL** section](https://hostman.com/docs/domains/manage-dns/#usage-example). Otherwise, you'll need to do this [from your nameserver provider's dashboard](https://hostman.com/docs/domains/dns-records-in-other-providers/).

## Step 3. Upload Your Site Files

The easiest way to upload your files is via SFTP, using an app like FileZilla.

When connecting, use:

-   Your server's IP address.
-   Your server login and password.
-   Port 22.

Upload your files to the correct directory:

-   If LAMP was installed automatically when you created your server, upload your files to `/var/www/html`.
    
-   If you installed LAMP manually, the directory depends on your configuration. For example, it can be `/var/www/site1/public_html`.
    

## Step 4. Set Up Your Database

[Connect to your server via SSH](https://hostman.com/docs/cloud-servers/connect-to-server/) and create a database:

```shell
mysql
```

Run the following commands. We recommend using the database name, username, and password already specified in your site's configuration file.

Create the database:

```sql
CREATE DATABASE 'database_name';
```

Create a database user:

```sql
CREATE USER 'username'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';
```

Grant the user full privileges on the database:

```sql
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON 'database_name'.* TO 'username'@'localhost';
```

Reload privileges:

```sql
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
```

Upload your database dump to the server (for example, to the `/var/www/` directory via SFTP), then import it:

```shell
mysql -u"username" database_name -p"password" < /var/www/dump_name.sql
```

If you'd like a GUI for managing your database, you can also install phpMyAdmin on your server.