A website migration sounds risky, but it can be smooth. The secret is to copy and test everything before visitors are sent to the new server. Done in the right order, nobody notices the move. Follow these steps.
Prepare the move
List what you are moving: files, databases, e-mail accounts, cron jobs and DNS records. Lower the TTL of your DNS records to five minutes a day ahead. Pick a quiet time for the final switch, such as early morning.
Website migration in seven steps
- Take a full backup of the old hosting account.
- Restore the files and databases on the new server.
- Update the database settings in the configuration file.
- Test the site on the new server using your hosts file.
- Recreate mailboxes and copy old messages if needed.
- Change the DNS records or nameservers to the new server.
- Keep the old hosting active for a week as a safety net.
Testing before the switch
The hosts file trick lets only your computer see the new server. Open every important page, submit a form and place a test order. Check that images load and that links do not point to the old address. Fix issues now, while visitors still use the old site.
After the switch
Watch the site for a day. Check error logs, contact forms and payment pages. Make sure the SSL certificate is active on the new server. Then cancel the old plan only when you are sure nothing is missing.
Prefer not to do it yourself? Our team can help with your website migration to HostiGuard hosting. Open a ticket with your old provider details and preferred time.
Common migration problems
Broken images often mean hard-coded links to the old domain. Mixed content warnings appear when some files still load over HTTP. Missing e-mail usually means the MX records were not updated. Each issue has a quick fix once you know where to look. Keep a checklist and tick every item.
Patience matters too. DNS changes can take a few hours to reach every network.
