Migrations go wrong in predictable ways. This is the checklist our team works through on every move, published in full so you can use it whether or not you host with us.
Before you touch anything
- Take a full backup at the current host and download it somewhere off both platforms.
- Record current DNS records, including MX and TXT, as a text file.
- Note the PHP, database and runtime versions in use.
- List every third-party service that touches the domain: mail, newsletter, payment webhooks, analytics.
- Lower DNS TTL to 300 seconds at least 24 hours ahead.
The copy
- Copy files and database to the new host and bring the site up on a temporary hostname.
- Match runtime versions rather than jumping to the newest one during the move.
- Search the database for hardcoded absolute URLs.
- Test forms, login, search and checkout on the temporary hostname.
The switch
- Put the old site in read-only mode if it accepts orders or comments.
- Do a final incremental sync of the database.
- Update DNS. Watch both servers' access logs to see traffic shift.
- Issue SSL on the new host and confirm the padlock on both root and www.
The part everyone forgets
- Re-point payment provider webhooks at the new host.
- Re-verify your domain in Search Console and any marketing tools.
- Check that scheduled tasks and cron jobs are running on the new host and disabled on the old one.
- Keep the old host active for two weeks. It costs one month of hosting and saves a catastrophe.