How to Move or Transfer Web Hosting Without Downtime
Follow this no-stress migration plan to switch hosts, keep email working, and avoid SEO or checkout issues.
Table of contents
Before you start
- Lower DNS TTL to 300 seconds at least 24 hours before cutover
- Use a web hosting checker to confirm current records and provider
- Schedule a low-traffic migration window
Step 1: Audit and backups
- Full file + database backup (and email, if hosted)
- List cron jobs, redirects, and custom modules
- Note PHP version and extensions
Step 2: Clone to new host
- cPanel to cPanel transfer or use the new host’s migrator
- For WordPress, use a migration plugin or your host’s tool
- Replicate cron jobs and environment variables
Step 3: Email migration
- If email is hosted with your old provider, copy mailboxes via IMAP sync
- If using Microsoft 365/Google Workspace, confirm MX stays unchanged
Step 4: Test on staging
- Use hosts file override or a temporary URL
- Validate forms, checkout, logins, and 3rd-party integrations
Step 5: DNS and nameservers
- Point A/CNAME records or switch nameservers
- Keep the old host active for 48–72 hours during propagation
Step 6: SSL and go-live
- Issue Let’s Encrypt or import your certificate
- Force HTTPS, regenerate sitemap, and verify in Search Console
Rollback plan
Keep a final backup on both hosts. If issues arise, revert DNS to the old host, fix, and retry.
Need a new provider? Start with Best Web Hosting in South Africa or our detailed Hostinger South Africa review. For fundamentals, revisit What Is Web Hosting? and types in Shared vs VPS vs Cloud vs Dedicated.