Timing is everything. Aim to move the website during low-traffic periods – typically late evenings or weekends – to minimise disruption. This is especially important for ecommerce or media-heavy sites that rely on real-time access. If stakeholders or clients need to be informed, give them a heads-up, even if you don’t expect issues. It's also wise to set up a website monitoring tool to alert you immediately if something goes wrong during the switch.
Before touching anything on the live site, get your new hosting environment ready. Purchase your hosting plan and make sure it includes the features your current site depends on – such as database support, email routing, or CDN integration. Install your CMS (like WordPress, Joomla, or a Laravel-based system) or set up the base environment for custom platforms. Match key settings to your current host – things like PHP version, Node.js runtime, database type, or any specific server configuration. The goal is to replicate the old environment as closely as possible to reduce the chance of issues.
Don’t rely on chance. Before making any move, back up the website files and the full database. Most hosting platforms have tools like cPanel, FTP access, or one-click backup features to help. If you're using WordPress, plugins like UpdraftPlus or All-in-One WP Migration can simplify the process. Always download a copy to your local machine or cloud storage. Having both a compressed ZIP file and an extracted folder can be helpful in case you need to troubleshoot or perform a partial restore.
Once you’ve copied the site to the new host, don’t go live yet. Most modern hosts offer temporary URLs or staging environments, which allow you to preview the site before making DNS changes. Upload the files, import the database, and check that the entire site works as expected. Make sure all pages load, admin logins function, and dynamic elements like forms, ecommerce checkouts, or galleries behave correctly. This is your safety net – if something’s broken, it’s easier to fix it here than on a live domain.
At this point, you’ll want to prepare for the final step: pointing your domain name to the new server. Log in to your domain registrar (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Cloudflare) and locate the DNS settings. You'll eventually need to update the A record (IP address) or the nameservers. Don’t do it just yet – but have everything ready so you can switch quickly when the time comes.
If there was a time gap between backing up the original site and testing on the new host, double-check for any fresh content. Did the client publish a new blog post? Did someone submit a form or place an order? Manually transfer any new content or changes to your staging copy. Also, check whether your SSL certificate has been installed or is ready to go live. If you're handling email through the same host, ensure your MX records are backed up and ready to reapply.
Now comes the big moment: updating the DNS. Once you point the domain to the new host (by updating the A record or nameservers), the switch usually takes effect in a few hours, but can take up to 48. During this time, some users will see the old site while others see the new one. This is why it’s smart to keep the old host active for 2–3 days. Meanwhile, monitor the site closely for errors using tools like Metrics+ – these will alert you if the site goes down or becomes slow during the transition.
Once DNS has propagated, test everything again – this time on the real domain. Try loading the homepage, browsing key pages, logging into admin areas, and submitting test forms. Confirm that tracking tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel are firing. If your site has ecommerce functionality, do a full test order (and refund it) to confirm everything works smoothly. Encourage your client or team to run their own checks too – fresh eyes catch more bugs.
Don’t rush to cancel your old hosting plan. Give it at least three to five days after migration to ensure everything is working perfectly. Only after you’re confident in the stability of the new setup – and all DNS has fully propagated – should you shut down the old host. Download any lingering backups or emails you may still need before pulling the plug.
Website migrations aren’t something to fear – they just require preparation. By thinking ahead, using staging environments, and monitoring carefully, you can confidently move any site without your audience ever knowing something changed. Whether you're helping a client switch to faster hosting or moving your own project to a better platform, this strategic approach ensures a smooth transition with zero panic.
Want to sleep even easier? Use Metrics+ before, during, and after migration to stay one step ahead of outages. It's a small investment for peace of mind.