Switching hosting providers can feel stressful—especially when your website is already live and serving customers. The fear is always the same: “What if my website goes down?” or “What if I lose emails or data?”
The truth is: a proper migration should be smooth and controlled, with little to no downtime. This guide explains the process in a simple, step-by-step way so you understand what’s happening—and what to avoid.
Step 1: Confirm what you’re moving
Before you migrate, list what needs to move:
- website files (WordPress or custom)
- database (most sites use one)
- emails (if email is hosted with your current provider)
- DNS settings (domain records)
- SSL certificate (HTTPS)
- backups
Not all migrations are the same. Some are just “website-only”. Others include email. Knowing the scope protects you from surprises later.
Step 2: Back up everything first
Even if your host says “we’ve got it”, make sure you have:
- a full site backup (files + database)
- a copy saved off the server (Google Drive, Dropbox, external drive, etc.)
For WordPress sites, backups can be done via a plugin or through your hosting panel. The point is simple: have a recovery option.
Step 3: Set up your new hosting environment
Your new hosting should be ready before any switch happens:
- create the hosting account
- create the domain on the server
- set up the database (if required)
- ensure PHP version and settings are compatible
- prepare SSL
A good host does this setup for you or guides you through it.
Step 4: Move the website files and database
For WordPress, there are two common methods:
Option A: Migration plugin method
A migration plugin packages your site and installs it on the new server. This is often the easiest for smaller sites.
Option B: Manual migration method
Files are copied via FTP/File Manager, and the database is exported/imported using phpMyAdmin or a database tool. Then wp-config.php is updated to match the new database credentials.
The goal is the same: your site must load correctly on the new server before any DNS changes happen.
Step 5: Test the website on the new server (before going live)
This is the most important step that people skip.
Before you point your domain, you should:
- open the website on a temporary URL or preview link
- check key pages
- test contact forms
- confirm images load
- ensure the admin dashboard works
- confirm plugins and theme behaviour
If you have an online store, test:
- checkout pages (without charging)
- cart functionality
- emails/notifications
- login accounts
Step 6: Migrate email (if needed)
If your email is also moving, make sure:
- mailboxes are created on the new host
- passwords are set/reset
- MX records will be updated correctly
- existing emails are migrated if required
If you move your website but forget email settings, you can accidentally stop email delivery. This step is critical for business continuity.
Step 7: Update DNS to point the domain to the new host
When you’re satisfied everything is working, it’s time to switch.
There are two ways:
- Nameserver update (point domain to new host nameservers)
- A record update (point the domain to the new IP)
DNS updates can take a few minutes up to 24 hours to fully propagate. During that period, some visitors may see the old site and others the new site.
Pro tip: Keep your old hosting active for a few days to avoid disruption during propagation.
Step 8: Install/confirm SSL (HTTPS)
After the domain points to the new host:
- install SSL
- force HTTPS (redirect HTTP to HTTPS)
- test that pages are not showing “Not Secure”
If your site uses mixed content (some links still HTTP), fix them to prevent browser warnings.
Step 9: Final checks and monitoring
Once live:
- test your forms again
- check email delivery
- monitor uptime and speed
- check Google indexing over the next few days
- confirm backups are running
Common migration mistakes to avoid
- cancelling old hosting too early
- forgetting email records (MX)
- not testing before switching DNS
- moving a site without a backup
- not updating WordPress URLs properly
Final thought
A migration should feel like a controlled handover—not a risky gamble. If you follow the right steps, you can move hosts cleanly and improve speed and reliability in the process.
If you want, we can migrate your website for you and make sure it’s tested, secured, and fully live before final switch-over.