Website Migration: Your Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Migrating your website to a new hosting provider can seem intimidating. Questions like "will I lose my data?", "how long will my site be offline?" and "what if something goes wrong?" are completely understandable.

Good news: with proper preparation and this step-by-step guide, website migration is easier than you think. In this comprehensive guide, learn how to safely migrate your website without downtime, which providers offer free help, and how to avoid pitfalls.

Why Migrate Your Website?

Several reasons to switch hosting providers:

Current Hosting Too Expensive

Maybe you're paying €15/month while comparable hosting costs €5 elsewhere. That's €120/year you could better spend elsewhere.

Disappointing Performance

Slow loading times frustrate visitors and harm SEO. If your site regularly takes over 3 seconds to load, you're losing visitors and conversions.

Poor Customer Service

If support emails remain unanswered for days or you constantly face language barriers, it's time for better service.

Outgrown Your Package

Your website grows, traffic increases, but your current package can't handle the load. Upgrading with your current provider is often more expensive than migrating elsewhere.

Preparation: Foundation of Successful Migration

Step 1: Choose Your New Hosting Provider

Most important decision. Factors to consider:

Price-quality ratio: Cheapest isn't always best Server location: Dutch servers load faster for Dutch visitors Technology: LiteSpeed (like Vimexx) faster for WordPress Support: 24/7 Dutch support available? Free migration service: Providers like TransIP, Vimexx, Antagonist offer free migration Uptime guarantee: Minimum 99.9% is standard

Use our hosting comparison tool to compare providers.

Step 2: Create Complete Backup

Absolutely crucial. Even with free migration, make your own backup.

What to backup:

• Website files (PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images)
• Databases (MySQL/MariaDB)
• Emails (if hosted via hosting)
• DNS settings
• WordPress specific: plugins, themes, uploads, wp-config.php

How to backup:

Option 1 - Via Control Panel: Most hosting control panels have backup function. Look for "Backup" and download complete backup.

Option 2 - WordPress Plugin: UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or Duplicator are excellent free options.

Option 3 - Via FTP: Use FileZilla to download all files. For databases use phpMyAdmin to create SQL export.

Save backup safely: Store on your computer AND in cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).

Step 3: Inventory Current Settings

Document everything:

• Domain information (where registered, nameservers, subdomains)
• Email settings (accounts, IMAP/POP3, forwards)
• Databases (quantity, names, users)
• SSL certificate (free or paid, expiration)
• Special configurations (.htaccess, PHP version, cron jobs)

Step 4: Check Current Contract Terms

Before canceling:

• Notice period (some require 1-2 months)
• Contract duration (annual contract? Refund?)
• Domain transfer costs
• Early termination penalties

Tip: Wait with cancellation until website successfully runs on new hosting.

Migration Process: Step by Step

Step 5: Order New Hosting Package

Choose right package:

• Estimate storage needs
• Calculate traffic/bandwidth
• Count databases
• Count email accounts

Take package offering 20-30% more than current usage for growth room.

Step 6: Upload Website to New Server

Method 1 - Free Migration Service (recommended for beginners):

Providers like TransIP, Vimexx, Antagonist offer free migration:

1. Contact support
2. Provide old hosting credentials
3. Their team migrates (usually 24-48 hours)
4. Receive confirmation when ready

Method 2 - Manual Migration via Control Panel Method 3 - Via FTP and phpMyAdmin (advanced) Method 4 - WordPress Duplicator Plugin

Step 7: Test Website on New Server

Before changing DNS, test everything works:

• Homepage loads correctly
• All internal links work
• Images load
• Contact forms send emails
• Webshop checkout works
• Login works
• Search function works
• SSL certificate installed

Step 8: Configure Email

If hosting email via hosting:

1. Create same email accounts on new server
2. Configure forwards and auto-responders
3. Update MX records
4. Test email sending and receiving

Step 9: Change DNS Settings

Critical moment - directing traffic to new server.

Where to change DNS: Change where domain is registered (domain registrar).

How to change DNS:

Option 1 - Change Nameservers (recommended): Replace old nameservers with new ones (get from new provider).

Option 2 - Change A-record: Change A-record to new server IP address.

Propagation time: DNS changes can take 24-48 hours to propagate globally. Often just 1-6 hours.

Step 10: Monitor and Validate

After DNS change:

• Check hourly if site is accessible
• Test HTTPS works
• Verify email works
• Test contact forms
• Monitor Google Analytics
• Test webshop orders

Step 11: Clean Up and Optimize

When everything runs stable for a week:

• Keep old hosting 1-2 weeks for safety
• Create final backup
• Cancel old hosting
• Install caching plugin
• Configure CDN if desired
• Update PHP version
• Test speed

Step 12: Create Maintenance Plan

Weekly:

• Check backups succeed
• Monitor uptime

Monthly:

• Update WordPress, plugins, themes
• Check security logs
• Optimize database

Semi-annually:

• Test backup restoration
• Review hosting needs

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem: Website Shows Old Content After DNS Change

Solution:

• Clear browser cache (Ctrl+F5)
• Clear DNS cache
• Wait longer for DNS propagation
• Test in incognito mode

Problem: Database Connection Failed

Solution:

• Check wp-config.php
• Verify database name, username, password
• Check database user has correct rights
• Verify database host

Problem: Images Not Loading

Solution:

• Check all files uploaded
• Verify .htaccess rules
• Check file permissions
• Update URLs in database

Problem: SSL Certificate Not Working

Solution:

• Install new SSL certificate
• Force HTTPS via .htaccess
• Update website URL to https://
• Check mixed content

Problem: Emails Not Arriving

Solution:

• Verify MX records
• Check SPF and DKIM records
• Wait for DNS propagation
• Test with mail-tester.com

Free Migration Service

Many providers offer free migration:

TransIP: Complete migration free with all packages Vimexx: Free for new customers Antagonist: Professional zero-downtime migration Hostnet: Managed migration service Mijn.host: Basic migration support

Extra Tips

• Choose right timing (evening, weekend, off-peak)
• Communicate with visitors
• Use SSL immediately
• Test mobile display
• Keep old hosting temporarily
• Document everything

Conclusion

Website migration seems complex, but with this guide and proper preparation it's doable. Whether migrating yourself or using free migration service, the key lies in good planning and thorough testing.

Want to compare providers offering free migration? Use our hosting comparison tool to find the best option.