Thinking about switching from WP Engine to MojoShine? Whether you're looking to save money, get autonomous hosting, or escape bandwidth overage fees, this guide will walk you through the entire migration process step by step.
The good news: migrating WordPress sites is straightforward, and your site stays live throughout the entire process. There's zero downtime for your visitors.
Migration Time: Most sites can be migrated in 1-2 hours of active work. DNS propagation takes up to 48 hours, but your site remains accessible the entire time.
Why Switch from WP Engine to MojoShine?
Before we dive into the how, let's quickly cover the why. Here's what you gain by switching:
| Feature | WP Engine | MojoShine |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $20/mo | $9/mo |
| Autonomous Provisioning | No | Yes |
| Visual Update Validation | No | Yes (Autonomous) |
| Container Isolation | Shared environment | Dedicated Docker |
| Bandwidth Limits | Overage fees | No overages |
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| CDN Included | Yes | Yes (Cloudflare) |
| Runtime Security Monitoring | Basic | Falco eBPF |
See our detailed WP Engine vs MojoShine comparison for more.
Before You Start: Pre-Migration Checklist
Pre-Migration Checklist
- Note your current WP Engine plan and renewal date
- List all plugins and themes (screenshot your Plugins page)
- Check for WP Engine-specific plugins that need alternatives
- Document any custom configurations or htaccess rules
- Verify you have access to your domain registrar (for DNS changes)
- Create a fresh backup on WP Engine
WP Engine-Specific Plugins: WP Engine installs proprietary plugins like "WP Engine System" and "WP Engine Advanced Cache." These won't work on other hosts and should be deactivated before migration. Don't worry - MojoShine provides equivalent functionality automatically.
Step-by-Step Migration Guide
Create Your MojoShine Account
First, set up your new home:
- Go to mojoshine.com/pricing
- Choose a plan (Starter from $9/mo, Pro $25/mo, or Business $49/mo)
- Enter your email and choose a temporary subdomain (e.g., mysite.mojoshine.com)
- Complete checkout - your site will be provisioned in about 3 minutes
- You'll receive an email with your WordPress admin credentials
Export Your WP Engine Site
You have two options for exporting:
Option A: Use a Migration Plugin (Recommended)
- Install "All-in-One WP Migration" or "Duplicator" on your WP Engine site
- Create an export package (database + files)
- Download the export file to your computer
Option B: Manual Export
- Use WP Engine's SFTP to download all files in
/wp-content/ - Export database using phpMyAdmin or WP Engine's backup download
Import to MojoShine
Now bring your content to its new home:
- Log into your new MojoShine WordPress admin (credentials in your email)
- Install the same migration plugin you used for export
- Use the plugin's import feature to upload your export file
- The plugin will replace the default content with your migrated site
- Log in again with your old WordPress credentials (they were imported)
Large Sites: If your export file exceeds upload limits, contact MojoShine support. We can increase limits temporarily or assist with SFTP-based migration.
Update URLs and Test
Your site still references the old domain. Let's fix that:
- Install "Better Search Replace" plugin
- Search for:
https://yourdomain.com - Replace with:
https://yoursite.mojoshine.com(your temporary subdomain) - Run on all tables (do a dry run first)
- Test all pages, forms, and functionality
- Check images are loading correctly
- Test contact forms and e-commerce checkout if applicable
Connect Your Custom Domain
Once testing is complete, point your domain to MojoShine:
- In MojoShine portal, go to your site and click "Add Custom Domain"
- Enter your domain (e.g., yourdomain.com)
- You'll receive DNS records to add at your registrar
- Add the CNAME or A records as instructed
- SSL certificate is automatically provisioned once DNS propagates
Final URL Update
Once your domain is connected:
- Run Better Search Replace again
- Search for:
https://yoursite.mojoshine.com - Replace with:
https://yourdomain.com - Update WordPress Address and Site Address in Settings > General
- Clear any caches
Verify and Cancel WP Engine
Final checks before you cancel:
- Test your site on the live domain
- Verify SSL is working (green padlock)
- Check email deliverability if using WordPress email
- Monitor for 24-48 hours to ensure stability
- Once satisfied, cancel your WP Engine subscription
Migration Timeline
What to Expect
Common Migration Issues and Solutions
Images Not Loading
If images appear broken after migration, the URLs still reference WP Engine. Run Better Search Replace to update image URLs, or regenerate thumbnails using the "Regenerate Thumbnails" plugin.
Mixed Content Warnings
If you see "Not Secure" warnings, some resources are loading over HTTP instead of HTTPS. Use Better Search Replace to change http:// to https:// across all tables.
Plugins Not Working
Some WP Engine-specific plugins won't work on other hosts. Common ones to replace:
- WP Engine System: Not needed - MojoShine handles this automatically
- WP Engine Advanced Cache: Replace with WP Super Cache or leave to MojoShine's server-level caching
- WP Engine GeoIP: Use Cloudflare's geolocation headers instead
Email Issues
If contact forms stop sending email, WP Engine may have had SMTP configured. Install "WP Mail SMTP" and configure with your email provider (Gmail, SendGrid, etc.).
Ready to Migrate?
Get started with MojoShine and save up to 40% compared to WP Engine.
Start Your Free TrialNeed Help with Migration?
If you run into any issues during migration, we're here to help:
- Self-Service: Follow this guide and our FAQ
- Email Support: Contact us via the support form
- Managed Migration: Business plan customers get complimentary migration assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to migrate from WP Engine to MojoShine?
Most migrations take 1-2 hours for the technical work, plus up to 48 hours for DNS propagation. Your site remains live on WP Engine during the entire process, so there's no downtime for your visitors.
Will I lose any data when migrating from WP Engine?
No. The migration process creates a complete copy of your site including all posts, pages, media, plugins, themes, and settings. Your original site on WP Engine remains untouched until you're ready to cancel.
Can I migrate multiple sites from WP Engine?
Yes. MojoShine's Pro plan supports 3 sites and Business plan supports 10 sites. You can migrate each site individually using the same process, or contact support for bulk migration assistance.
What if something goes wrong during migration?
Your original site on WP Engine is never modified during migration. If anything goes wrong, your live site continues running normally. You can also restore from MojoShine's automatic backups or contact our support team for assistance.