By Blessed Majome, Founder, JomeTech Africa
A website move goes smoothly when you copy everything to the new host first, test it, and only then point your domain there. Done in that order, visitors and email never notice.
1. Take a full backup
Download your website files, database and email from the old host. In cPanel, use Backup or the backup tool your host provides. Read website backups explained.
2. Set up the new hosting
Order hosting on your existing domain name. Do not change nameservers yet.
3. Copy files and database
Upload the files, create a database and import it. For WordPress, update the database details in wp-config.php. Many hosts, including us, do this for you.
4. Recreate email accounts
Create the same mailboxes with the same names and copy old mail across, so no history is lost.
5. Test before switching
Preview the site on the new server using a temporary URL or by editing your computer’s hosts file. Check pages, forms, images and logins.
6. Switch the DNS
Change your domain’s nameservers to the new host. Changes usually spread within a few hours, though some networks take up to a day. Keep the old hosting active for a few days as a safety net. See DNS explained.
7. Final checks
- SSL padlock showing
- Email sending and receiving on phones and computers
- Contact forms delivering
- Google Search Console showing no new errors
Prefer not to do it yourself? We move websites and email to JomeTech for you. See website migration or WhatsApp us.