Editorial verdict
The short answer
A migration is complete only when the website, forms, scheduled tasks, mailboxes, certificates, redirects, analytics and DNS work, and when the old service remains recoverable through the validation period.
Before you buy
Questions the provider must answer
- 01Who performs the migration and what is excluded?
- 02Are email and DNS records included?
- 03How large is the expected outage?
- 04Can the old environment remain online?
- 05What is the rollback trigger?
Decision process
A practical, repeatable method
Inventory the current system
List files, databases, versions, cron jobs, mailboxes, DNS records, certificates and third-party integrations.
Create independent backups
Export outside both providers and verify the archive can be opened.
Lower DNS time to live
Reduce it before migration so a later switch propagates faster, then restore it after stability.
Clone and test privately
Use a temporary address or local hosts entry. Test checkout, forms, login, redirects and scheduled tasks.
Freeze changing data
Plan how orders, comments or account changes are handled during the final database sync.
Switch, monitor and retain rollback
Change DNS, monitor errors and transactions, and keep the old service until the agreed validation window ends.
Avoidable errors
Common mistakes
- × Cancelling the old host before validation
- × Migrating files but not email
- × Changing DNS without recording old values
- × Testing only the homepage
- × Forgetting cache, cron and payment webhooks
Frequently asked questions
What buyers ask next
Can migration have zero downtime?
Often nearly zero, but dynamic data requires careful final synchronisation and DNS planning.
Are free migrations comprehensive?
Not always. Confirm email, multiple sites, custom applications and size limits.
When should the old plan be cancelled?
After traffic, transactions, email and monitoring are stable and rollback is no longer needed.
Should the domain be transferred simultaneously?
Usually separate hosting migration from registrar transfer to reduce variables.
Evidence
Primary and supporting sources
Prices and terms can change. Recheck the provider page and checkout before purchasing.
How to use this guide
Separate facts, estimates and judgement.
Provider documentation establishes product terms. Calculations explain their financial effect. Regional suitability requires checkout verification and testing from the intended audience. A recommendation is editorial judgement only after those layers agree.