Moving hosts doesn’t have to be risky
Switching to a new hosting provider often feels risky, but with the right preparation, your website can be moved with little to no noticeable downtime.
However, depending on your setup, the following situations can require a small disruption:
- When a migration tool needs the domain to point to the new server
- When overwriting a fresh install is necessary
- When the old host restricts access or external backups
- When email systems are being transferred
- When DNS changes must happen before final testing
The key is understanding what to expect and planning the move properly.
Why businesses move hosting
- Slow performance
- Frequent outages
- Poor support
- Security issues
- Rising prices
- Outdated technology
- Having outgrown cheap shared hosting
A better hosting environment almost always improves performance and stability immediately.
What you need before starting a migration
Preparation reduces downtime dramatically. You’ll need:
- Access to your current host
- Access to your domain registrar
- A recent backup of the site and database
- Your new hosting plan activated
- Email configs if transferring inboxes
If your host offers a managed migration (DevEdge does), you usually only need login details.
Step-by-step migration process
This is the standard, safe sequence:
1. Take a full backup
Files + database + email accounts (if needed).
2. Copy the site to the new server
Either manually or using a migration plugin/tool.
3. Test the site where possible
Sometimes a temporary URL or hosts-file preview is available.
If you can’t test until after DNS is changed, a short downtime may be required.
4. Update DNS
Your domain starts pointing to the new host.
5. Propagation & final checks
DNS takes 1–24 hours to fully update.
During this time, visitors may briefly hit either server.
6. Retire the old hosting
Only once everything is confirmed working.
Understanding DNS (a simple explanation)
DNS doesn’t move your website – it simply tells browsers where your site lives.
When you can avoid downtime entirely
- You can test the site on the new host before switching
- The migration tool doesn’t require the live domain
- Email isn’t changing platform
- The old host gives full access
When a small interruption is unavoidable
- The new host requires the domain to resolve before installing or restoring
- A fresh install must be overwritten
- The old host heavily restricts access
- The site uses plugins or software tied to the live URL
- Email systems need reconfiguration
In these situations, downtime is normally a few minutes to an hour, not hours or days.
Common mistakes that increase downtime
Avoid:
- Changing DNS before the backup is tested
- Letting your old host delete your account immediately
- Migrating at peak business hours
- Forgetting to recreate email accounts
- Not copying updated content (blogs, orders, bookings) during the final sync
- Assuming propagation is instant
With proper planning, these problems disappear.
When to use a managed migration service
If you want the least possible downtime – or you’re not confident with the technical side – a managed migration handles everything:
- Backups
- Transfer
- Testing (where possible)
- DNS switching
- Email configuration
- Post-migration checks
This is the safest option for business-critical websites.
Switching hosts?
We offer fully managed migrations that minimise downtime and ensure a smooth, safe transition to faster, more reliable hosting.
