Published: 31.05.2026
Changing hosting does not have to interrupt your website. The idea is simple: build a complete copy at the new place, test it, and only then switch the traffic.
1. Make a full backup
Save the files and the database from the old hosting. Keep the backup until the migration is complete and checked.
2. Prepare the new hosting
Create the account, make sure the PHP version and the extensions match the old environment, and create an empty database with a user.
3. Copy files and database
Upload the files, import the database and update the configuration file with the new database name, user and password. Large sites can be copied with rsync or with an archive over SSH.
4. Test before the switch
Test the copy without changing DNS. On your computer edit the hosts file so that the domain points to the new server IP address. Open the website, check forms, login and checkout.
5. Lower the TTL
One day before the switch lower the TTL of the DNS records to 300 seconds. This makes the change spread quickly.
6. Switch DNS
Change the A record (or the nameservers) to the new server. For a short time visitors may reach the old or the new server, so avoid changes to the data during this window; for dynamic sites put the old one in read-only mode.
7. Move e-mail
If mail is hosted together with the website, copy the mailboxes first and keep the MX records consistent. Otherwise messages can be lost.
8. Check and clean up
- Verify that the SSL certificate is issued for the new server.
- Check the cron jobs and scheduled tasks.
- Keep the old hosting active for several days, then cancel it.
Frequently asked questions
Will my search ranking drop? Not if the address and the content stay the same and the site stays fast and available.
Can you do it for me? Contact support: free migration may be available for new customers.
