Moving your website to a new host sounds risky, but a clear plan makes it smooth. Follow these steps to migrate without losing data or downtime.
To move a website, back up everything, copy files and databases to the new host, test on a staging URL, then update DNS. Keep the old host live until the move settles.
Why businesses switch hosts
Owners move hosts for good reasons. Slow speeds, poor support, rising renewal prices, or outgrowing a plan all push people to look elsewhere. A move done well fixes these problems without disrupting customers.
The fear is downtime and lost data. Both are avoidable. With a plan and a little care, most small business sites move over with no visible interruption.
Before you start
Preparation makes the whole move easier. Sort these out first and the rest goes smoothly.
- Choose the new host. Confirm it meets your needs. Our guide on choosing hosting helps here.
- Check for free migration. Many hosts move your site for you at no cost, which saves hours.
- Note your DNS settings. Record your current records, especially email, so nothing breaks.
- Pick a quiet time. Plan the move for low-traffic hours to limit any impact.
Step one, back everything up
Never start a migration without a full backup. Copy your website files and your database, and store them somewhere safe off the server. If anything goes wrong, you can restore and try again.
A complete backup includes your files, your database, and any email if it lives with your web host. Double-check the backup opens correctly before you go further.
Keep your old hosting active until the move is fully settled. Cancelling too early is the most common way owners lose data during a migration.
Step two, move your files and database
Upload your website files to the new host and import your database. Many hosts provide a migration tool or plugin that does most of this for you. If you use WordPress, a migration plugin can move the whole site in a few clicks.
Once the files and database are on the new server, update any settings that point to the old server. Configuration files sometimes hold the old database details, so check them.
Step three, test before you switch
Do not point your domain at the new host yet. Most hosts give you a temporary URL or let you preview the site using your computer settings. Use that to check the copied site works fully.
- Check every page. Click through the site and look for broken links or missing images.
- Test forms. Submit contact and booking forms to confirm they work.
- Test the checkout. For a shop, run a test order end to end.
- Check email. Confirm email still sends and receives if it moved too.
Step four, update your DNS
Once the test copy works, point your domain to the new host by updating your DNS records. Change is not instant. It can take a few hours for the update to spread across the internet, a delay called propagation.
During this window, some visitors see the old site and some see the new one. Because both sites are identical and live, they notice nothing. Keeping both hosts running avoids any gap.
Step five, confirm and clean up
After DNS has fully updated, check the live site again on the new host. Test pages, forms, and checkout one more time. Confirm email flows correctly and that your SSL certificate is active.
Once you are sure everything works, and after a safe waiting period of a few days, you can cancel the old plan. Keep your final backup for a while longer just in case.
Avoiding downtime
The secret to a zero-downtime move is simple. Build and test the site on the new host before you touch your domain, and keep the old host live throughout. Point the domain only when the new site is proven.
If email lives with your host, move it carefully and test it thoroughly. Our guide on business email hosting covers the records you need to get right so messages keep flowing.
When to let the host do it
If any of this feels daunting, let the professionals handle it. Many hosts offer free migration and will move your site for you. Ask before you sign up, and choose a host with a strong reputation from our roundup of the best hosting for small business.
A migration checklist
A short checklist keeps a move on track. Work through it in order and nothing slips through the cracks.
- Full backup taken. Files, database, and email copied and stored safely off the server.
- New host ready. Account set up and files uploaded before you touch the domain.
- Site tested. Pages, forms, and checkout all working on the temporary URL.
- DNS updated. Records pointed to the new host, with both hosts kept live.
- Old plan kept. Cancelled only after a few settled days on the new host.
What to check after the move
The job is not done the moment DNS updates. A quick review over the next few days catches anything the switch disturbed.
Watch your search ranking and traffic for any dip, and set up any redirects if your web addresses changed. Confirm your SSL certificate is active on every page so browsers do not warn visitors. Test a contact form and, for a shop, a sample order once more.
Keep your final backup for a couple of weeks after the move. If a problem surfaces late, you have a clean copy to fall back on rather than starting over.
Frequently asked questions
Will my website go down during a move?
Not if you plan it well. Build and test the site on the new host first, then update your DNS while keeping the old host live. Because both sites stay identical and running, visitors notice no interruption.
How long does a website migration take?
The transfer itself often takes a few hours. DNS propagation adds up to 24 to 48 hours before everyone sees the new host. Keeping both hosts live during that window prevents any downtime.
Can my new host move the site for me?
Very often, yes. Many hosts offer free migration and will handle the whole move. Ask before you sign up, as this saves time and removes most of the technical risk.
What about my email during a migration?
If your email lives with your web host, back it up and move it carefully, then test it before and after switching DNS. Make sure your SPF, DKIM, and MX records are correct so messages keep flowing.
Should I cancel my old hosting straight away?
No. Keep the old plan active until the move is fully settled and you have tested the live site. Cancelling too early is a common way to lose data. Wait a few days, then cancel.
