jhone05 Migrating the website to a new host can have many motives behind it. It can be getting rid of poor web hosting services or customer support, looking for a hosting upgrade, and signing up with a more cost-effective hosting plan. Whichever it is, migrating to a new host can be a daring task, especially when you have a high-traffic eCommerce website. In addition, you definitely don’t want the website to face downtime or any other technical issue. So here, we have reeled off a hosting migration checklist.
You can check one by one and pave your way towards a fast and trouble-free migration to a new host.
Have you found a new host better than before?
This question might sound a bit weird as it is obvious that migration is possible only after finding a web hosting agency. But the reason we mention this point here is that be watchful in selecting the new host. Or you might be getting trapped with the same services (from which you are trying to escape)
Don’t cancel your current hosting.
It’s not like you decide to move to a new host, so you first need to cancel your current hosting. Instead, you have to wait until the migration completes and your website starts working fine with the new hosting setup.
Did you decide on the migration method?
When migrating to new web hosting services, you have two methods to do so. The first is to migrate manually, and the second is to outsource the website migration services. The former works well if you have experience and technical knowledge concerning websites, servers, etc. In contrast, the latter seems helpful for people who do not have time due to a busy schedule or aren’t as computer savvy as needed to migrate.
Set a Migration Window with the New Host
The best way is to contact your new host and create an account with it. In particular, few days before your current hosting plan expires, or you have to renew it monthly. It will provide you and your host the time to straighten out the unanticipated issues. Also, it is to streamline the essentials that need to be fulfilled by you.
Transferring Database and Files
Remember, you have to transfer your database and the website files to the new host. More specifically, Exporting the files from the old host and importing them to the going-to-bed host.
Using FTP to move your site’s files is easy. Also, there are plugins too to help migrate the database.
Have you saved your website files?
One top-pick activity in the hosting migration checklist and you must do is to create a backup of your complete website. For instance, you can leverage cloud resources like a local drive, OneDrive. Also, save it locally too and on offsite places alongside that can be affected by the hardware failure.
A backup can be your savior in case anything happens, like a manual or technical error. That is, you can get your website restored and just start from where you left. Besides, it is not just for migration having a backup at all times is pretty crucial. So you can imagine that you will be digging your own grave if you aren’t attentive to back up your website.
Many web hosting services ensure regular data backup services too. So remember to look out if your new host provides it too or not.
Have you notified your users that you are migrating?
Professional etiquette is that you should notify your users that you will be migrating. In case if they will be visiting you at that time and face any website performance issues, 404 errors, they will be more understanding towards the scenario. Also, you will have no worries about losing customers. On top of all, it is about the professionalism and digital authority that you have built over the years.
What about your Domain Name?
Although it is not necessary to move the domain name too, however, you have two choices. Whether to leave with your old host or transfer it to the new host, too, both work fine. If you opt for the first option, for migration, you have to update the DNS setting. The second option, on the other side, involves domain migration to a new registrar.
So take heed and checkmark all the points mentioned in the above hosting migration checklist to dodge any problem.
Plenty of web hosting companies offer free migration services. Thus the expert staff will take care of most of the nerve-wracking work—all you need to be patient and eventually get your website back on track with the new host.
So be wise while selecting a new host. It is always better to spot out a reputed web hosting agency like NavicoSoft and have a smooth migration.
