Inventory before copying
List domains, subdomains, databases, cron jobs, redirects, SSL, email and external services before touching DNS.
HOSTCUPID · WEBSITE GUIDES
Website migration guide: move with less downtime and fewer surprises.
A reliable migration is more than copying files. Plan the website, database, DNS, SSL, email, scheduled jobs, third-party integrations, testing and rollback before changing traffic.
The essentials
What you need to know
Take a restorable backup
Keep a known-good copy of website files and databases. A backup is useful only when its contents and restore method are understood.
Test on the destination
Check pages, forms, logins, checkout, media, PHP compatibility and database connections before directing visitors to the new server.
Plan DNS carefully
Lowering TTL in advance can help, but DNS propagation is not instant or identical for every resolver.
Protect email continuity
Confirm whether email is hosted with the website, Microsoft 365, Zoho or another provider before changing MX, SPF, DKIM or DMARC records.
Keep a rollback window
Do not destroy the source immediately. Keep agreed rollback access until the new environment is verified and stable.
01
Document the current website, DNS and email dependencies.
02
Back up, copy and test the site on the destination.
03
Schedule the DNS change and monitor both environments.
04
Verify forms, email, SSL, redirects, analytics and key transactions.
05
Close the old environment only after the agreed verification window.
Useful reading
Make your next decision easier.
How do you troubleshoot WordPress?
Find the cause before changing everything.
Read the guide →What do backups and security each protect?
Recovery, access, updates and shared responsibility.
Read the guide →How do you maintain website security?
Updates, access, monitoring and recovery planning.
Read the guide →How do you improve ecommerce SEO in India?
Product pages, categories, technical SEO and measurement.
Read the guide →What goes into a website quote?
Build costs, running costs and extras.
Read the guide →Refresh or rebuild?
Choose the right amount of work.
Read the guide →Why is WordPress slow?
Find the cause before choosing a fix.
Read the guide →Use the Hosting Plan Finder → · Open the customer help centre →
Good to know
Your questions, answered.
Can a website be migrated with zero downtime?
Often downtime can be reduced significantly, but a universal zero-downtime guarantee is not realistic. DNS caching, application behaviour and data changes during cutover can affect the result.
Should I move email at the same time as the website?
Not automatically. First identify where mailboxes are hosted and which DNS records they depend on. Website and email migrations can be separated when that reduces risk.
What access is normally needed?
Typical migrations need source hosting or application access, destination access, DNS control and database access. The exact requirement depends on the platform and scope.
When should the old hosting be cancelled?
After the destination has been tested, DNS has settled, critical functions are verified and the agreed rollback period has passed.