How to Move from 123 Reg to SiteGround (Without Breaking Your Site)

Looking to move from 123 Reg to SiteGround and not sure where to start? I have done this migration for a client site and can walk you through the whole process step by step.

The short version: the free SiteGround Migrator plugin handles the move in under an hour, your site stays live the entire time, and you do not need to transfer your domain away from 123 Reg if you do not want to.

Save up to 80% on your first year of SiteGround hosting via my referral link:

Get Up to 80% Off SiteGround Hosting

Click here to get up to 80% off SiteGround, a free domain, and a free professional migration

Discount applies to year-one pricing on new SiteGround plans. Renewal rates are higher. Check SiteGround's site for the current offer.

Why People Leave 123 Reg

123 Reg started as a domain registrar and added hosting as a bolt-on product. For most WordPress sites, that background shows.

Common complaints I hear (and have seen myself on a client rescue):

• Slow support response times. Getting a real answer on a hosting problem can take 24 to 48 hours. That is a serious issue when a WooCommerce store is down.
• Backup limitations. The backup situation is not clearly documented and restoring from one involves raising a ticket rather than a few clicks.
• Price spikes at renewal. Like most budget hosts, the headline price is only for year one. The renewal rate can be 3 to 4 times higher.
• Slow WordPress performance. Shared hosting at 123 Reg can be noticeably slow, especially for WooCommerce or sites with many plugins running.
• Upsells at every step. SSL, email, domain privacy, and security tools are all priced separately on top of the base plan.

None of this makes 123 Reg the wrong choice for every site. For a simple five-page brochure site with low traffic, the low cost may be fine. For a WordPress business site or online shop, the trade-offs add up.

Before You Start: What You Need

Run through this checklist before you begin:

• A SiteGround account. Sign up first via my referral link to lock in the discounted year-one price before you start the migration process.
• WordPress admin access on your 123 Reg site. You need to be able to install plugins.
• 123 Reg control panel access. You will need to update DNS settings at the end.
• One to two hours. The migration itself is automated, but allow time for testing and DNS propagation.

You do not need FTP access, database export tools, or any technical knowledge beyond installing a WordPress plugin.

Step-by-Step: How to Migrate from 123 Reg to SiteGround

Step 1: Sign Up for SiteGround

Click my referral link and pick your plan. For most single-site moves, the StartUp plan covers everything you need. If you are moving more than one site, or want a staging environment alongside production, GrowBig is the better choice.

Year-one pricing is significantly discounted. Plan names and prices change, so check SiteGround's pricing page before signing up.

During sign-up you can register a new domain or use an existing one. If your domain is at 123 Reg, choose "I already have a domain" and enter it. You do not need to transfer it yet.

Step 2: Add Your Site in SiteGround Site Tools

Once your account is active you land in SiteGround Site Tools. Add your domain and install WordPress using the one-click installer. This creates a fresh WordPress install on SiteGround. Do not start building anything on it yet. The next step will overwrite it with your 123 Reg content.

Step 3: Install the SiteGround Migrator Plugin on Your 123 Reg Site

Log in to the WordPress admin on your live 123 Reg site. Go to Plugins > Add New, search for SiteGround Migrator, install it, and activate it.

The plugin is free and available directly from the WordPress plugin directory. No external downloads needed.

Step 4: Generate a Migration Token in SiteGround

Back in SiteGround Site Tools, go to WordPress > Migrator. Click Generate Token. Copy the long string of characters it gives you.

Step 5: Run the Migration

Return to the SiteGround Migrator plugin on your 123 Reg WordPress dashboard. Paste the token into the field and click Migrate.

The plugin then copies across:

• Your WordPress files and theme
• Your database (all posts, pages, settings, users)
• Your media library (images, PDFs, uploads)

This takes 10 to 45 minutes depending on your site size. A progress bar shows you where it is. Your 123 Reg site stays live the whole time.

Step 6: Test the Migrated Site on SiteGround's Temporary URL

Once the migration completes, SiteGround provides a temporary URL to preview the migrated site before you switch any DNS. Use it to check:

• All pages and posts load correctly
• Images display
• Contact forms submit
• WooCommerce checkout works (if applicable)
• No broken links or missing assets

If something looks wrong here, it is much easier to fix before you touch the DNS. The SiteGround support team is available 24/7 if you get stuck.

Step 7: Update Your DNS at 123 Reg

When you are satisfied with the migrated site, log in to 123 Reg and find the DNS settings for your domain. Update the A record to point to your SiteGround server IP address. You can find the correct IP in SiteGround Site Tools under Domain > DNS Zone Editor.

DNS changes take up to 48 hours to propagate fully, though most visitors will see the SiteGround version within a few hours. During this window, some visitors hit the 123 Reg version and some hit SiteGround. Both should look identical since the migration copied everything.

Step 8: Keep Both Active Until Propagation Completes

Do not cancel your 123 Reg hosting plan immediately. Wait at least 48 to 72 hours after the DNS change to make sure all traffic has switched over. Once you are confident everything is running correctly on SiteGround, you can let the 123 Reg hosting plan lapse at its next renewal.

What to Do with Your 123 Reg Email

Moving hosting does not move your email. These are separate services.

If you use 123 Reg for email, do the following when you update your DNS:

1. Update only the A record for your website. Leave your MX records pointing at 123 Reg so email continues to work normally.
2. Do not update all DNS records at once without checking what each one controls. Changing MX records by mistake will break your email.
3. If you want to move email later, options include Google Workspace, Zoho Mail, or SiteGround's own email hosting. Treat it as a separate project after the hosting migration is stable.

How I Actually Use SiteGround

I use SiteGround for client sites at Glide Marketing, my UK SEO agency. I switched one client's WooCommerce store over from 123 Reg after a near-disaster: the site was slow, a plugin update broke the checkout, and getting support from 123 Reg involved a multi-day email chain.

What I like:

• Support that actually knows WordPress. I have had SiteGround's team identify a PHP compatibility issue at 2am during a client emergency. That does not happen with most budget hosts.
• Daily backups included on all plans. Restoring from a backup in Site Tools is a few clicks. No ticket required.
• One-click staging. I push a staging copy of a client site, test major updates, and push to live when it is ready. Built into Site Tools with no extra plugin needed.
• The Migrator plugin works. I was sceptical of a fully automated migration tool, but it handled a 4GB WooCommerce site without any manual intervention.
• Performance. SiteGround runs on Google Cloud. The page load difference compared to the 123 Reg shared environment was noticeable from day one.

What is worth knowing:

• Year-two pricing is significantly higher. The year-one rate is attractive; the renewal rate is not. Budget for the full cost before you commit long term.
• StartUp is single-site only. You need GrowBig or higher for multiple sites or a staging subdomain on the same account.
• Site Tools has a learning curve. If you are used to cPanel, SiteGround's own control panel is different, though better designed once you know it.
• The free professional migration covers one site per plan. Additional sites migrate free via the self-service plugin, but the white-glove option is a one-off per plan.

SiteGround vs 123 Reg: Quick Comparison

For a deeper look at how SiteGround stacks up against the budget hosting market, read my SiteGround vs Hostinger comparison or the full best WordPress hosting UK guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I migrate WordPress from 123 Reg to SiteGround?

Install the free SiteGround Migrator plugin on your 123 Reg WordPress site. Generate a migration token in SiteGround Site Tools, paste it into the plugin, and click Migrate. The plugin handles files, the database, and media without any manual export or FTP.

Can I keep my domain at 123 Reg and just move the hosting?

Yes. Update the A record in your 123 Reg DNS settings to your SiteGround server IP and leave the MX records (for email) unchanged. Your site runs on SiteGround and your domain stays registered at 123 Reg.

How long does the migration take?

The SiteGround Migrator plugin takes 10 to 45 minutes to copy the site. DNS propagation after the switch adds up to 48 hours, though most visitors will see the new SiteGround version within a few hours.

Is the SiteGround Migrator plugin free?

Yes. It is free from the WordPress plugin directory. You need an active SiteGround hosting plan to generate the transfer token. SiteGround also includes one free professional migration with all new plans.

Will my site go down during the migration?

No. The plugin copies your site to SiteGround while your 123 Reg site stays live. The switch only happens when you update the DNS.

Is SiteGround better than 123 Reg for WordPress?

For most WordPress business sites, yes. SiteGround is officially recommended by WordPress.org, includes daily backups and one-click staging, and the support team specialises in WordPress. 123 Reg's hosting is a secondary product to its domain registration business.

Does SiteGround offer free site migration?

Yes. All new plans include one free professional migration by SiteGround's team, plus unlimited self-service migrations using the free Migrator plugin.

What do I do with my 123 Reg email after moving?

When you update DNS, change only the A record and leave the MX records pointing at 123 Reg. Your email continues to work. Migrate email separately once the hosting is settled.

Ready to Make the Move?

The SiteGround Migrator plugin removes most of the complexity from switching hosts. The migration is automated, your site stays live throughout, and the year-one pricing (when you use my referral link) makes it a straightforward decision.

Get up to 80% off SiteGround hosting, a free domain, and a free professional migration:

Click here to sign up for SiteGround with 80% off

Year-one pricing applies to new SiteGround accounts. Renewal rates are higher. Current pricing is listed on SiteGround's website.

If you have questions about the migration or want to know more about the WooCommerce client rescue, feel free to reach out.

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More hosting guides:

• SiteGround Referral Code: save up to 80% on year-one SiteGround pricing
• SiteGround vs Hostinger UK: which host is right for your WordPress site in 2026?
• Best WordPress Hosting UK for Small Business: full comparison across Krystal, SiteGround, and Hostinger
• SiteGround AI Agent for WordPress: what SiteGround's built-in AI tools actually do
• Hostinger Referral Code: the budget alternative worth considering before you decide

Mike McDonnell, Founder of Glide Marketing