Export Move Site from GoDaddy to HTML

Moving your website from GoDaddy isn't hard. It's just not obvious. GoDaddy doesn't want you leaving, so they don't exactly make it easy.

Here's the problem: GoDaddy Website Builder doesn't have an export feature. Your site exists on their servers, built with their proprietary system. There's no Download button. No Get My Files option. Nothing.

But your site is publicly accessible on the internet. Which means tools can render those pages and save them. That's your export.

Step 1: Export your site. Use a tool that downloads websites as static HTML. Enter your GoDaddy URL, let it crawl your pages, download the ZIP file. You get HTML files, CSS, images, a complete working copy of your site.

Step 2: Choose new hosting. For static sites, free options abound. Netlify handles deploys through drag-and-drop, literally drag your folder onto their dashboard. GitHub Pages works if you're comfortable with Git. Cloudflare Pages, Vercel, same deal.

Want traditional hosting? Any provider works. Bluehost, SiteGround, Hostinger, whatever. Upload your files via FTP or their file manager. $3-10 per month covers it.

Step 3: Upload and test. Get your files onto the new host. Visit the temporary URL they provide (usually something like yoursite.netlify.app) and verify everything works. Click around, check images load, make sure pages display correctly.

Step 4: Point your domain. This is where DNS comes in. You need to tell your domain to look at your new host instead of GoDaddy.

If your domain is registered at GoDaddy, log in and find DNS settings. Change the A record to point to your new host's IP address. Or use their nameservers if the host provides them. Changes take a few hours to propagate worldwide.

Alternatively, transfer your domain away from GoDaddy entirely. Unlock it, get the authorization code, start a transfer at your new registrar. Takes about a week.

Step 5: Cancel GoDaddy. Once your site is live on new hosting and your domain points there, you're done with GoDaddy's website builder. Cancel that subscription. Keep paying for the domain if it's still registered there, or transfer it out too.

The whole process takes an afternoon. Most of that is waiting for DNS propagation. The actual work is maybe an hour.

And here's the payoff: your monthly costs drop dramatically. $10-25/month at GoDaddy becomes $0-5/month elsewhere. That's $120-300 per year back in your pocket.

Your site works the same. Looks the same. Just costs less and you actually own the files.