Key facts
- Downtime during a move is usually caused by DNS changes, not the file copy.
- TTL (time to live) controls how long DNS answers are cached, often from 300 seconds to 86,400 seconds.
- Lowering the TTL a day or two before the move makes the switch take effect faster.
- Keep the old hosting live for at least a few days after switching DNS.
- Email MX records must be moved or kept correct, or mail can be lost.
- dijitul includes website migration in Complete Hosting at £1 a day + VAT.
Why websites go down during a move
A website move has two parts: copying the site, and pointing the domain at the new server. The copy can happen in the background with no effect on visitors. Downtime happens when the domain is switched before the new site is ready, or when the old hosting is cancelled too early.
DNS changes are not instant. Internet providers cache DNS answers for a period set by the TTL. During that window, some visitors reach the old server and some reach the new one. If both are working, nobody notices.
Before you start: a checklist
- Login to your domain registrar or DNS provider.
- Access to the current hosting: control panel, FTP or SFTP, and database.
- A list of email accounts and where email is hosted.
- Any scheduled tasks (cron jobs), API keys or payment gateway settings.
- The PHP version and extensions the site uses today.
- A full backup of files and database, stored somewhere other than the old host.
The step-by-step move
- Lower the TTL. One or two days before, set the TTL on your A, AAAA and CNAME records to 300 seconds.
- Set up the new hosting with the same PHP version and extensions.
- Copy files and database to the new server and update the config file with new database details.
- Test the new copy using a hosts file entry or a temporary URL. Check forms, logins, search and checkout.
- Freeze changes on the old site, such as new orders or blog posts, for the final sync.
- Do a final sync of the database and any uploaded files.
- Switch DNS to the new server's IP address, or change nameservers.
- Install SSL on the new server. Let's Encrypt can issue it once DNS points there.
- Keep the old hosting live for a few days, then cancel.
Do not forget email
If your email is hosted with your old web host, moving the website can affect it. Check your MX records before and after the switch. If email moves too, create the same mailboxes on the new host first, then copy old messages across using IMAP. Also bring across your SPF, DKIM and DMARC records so mail is not marked as spam. Our guide on setting up SPF, DKIM and DMARC explains these.
After the switch: what to check
- Visit the site on mobile data as well as office Wi-Fi, since they may use different DNS caches.
- Check the padlock in the browser and confirm the SSL certificate is valid for both the www and non-www address.
- Submit every form and confirm the email arrives.
- Place a test order if you run a shop, and check the payment gateway's callback URL.
- Confirm scheduled tasks (cron) are running on the new server, not the old one.
- Check Google Search Console for crawl errors over the following week.
- Only cancel the old hosting once traffic to it has dropped to nothing.
Let dijitul do it for you
Migration is included in dijitul Complete Hosting at £1 a day + VAT. We copy the site, match the PHP setup, test it, set up Cloudflare DNS with sensible TTLs, and switch over when it is ready. Older sites are welcome, and if something breaks during the move we fix it. Daily backups and free SSL are included from day one. Read more about our website migration service or order online.
Frequently asked questions
How long does DNS take to update when changing host?
It depends on the TTL set on your records. With a TTL of 300 seconds, most visitors see the change within minutes. With a TTL of a day, it can take up to 24 hours or more. Changing nameservers can take longer because the parent zone also caches records, sometimes up to 48 hours.
Will I lose emails when I move my website?
Not if you plan it. Check where your email is hosted and leave the MX records alone if email is staying put. If email is moving, create mailboxes on the new server first, switch the MX records, then copy old mail across over IMAP. Keep the old mailboxes open for a few days.
Should I cancel my old hosting before moving?
No. Keep your old hosting active until the new site has been live for several days and you have confirmed that the website, forms and email are all working. Cancelling early is the most common cause of downtime and lost data during a move.
Can someone move my website for me in the UK?
Yes. dijitul includes website migration in Complete Hosting at £1 a day + VAT. The team copies your files and database, matches the PHP version, tests the site, sets up Cloudflare DNS and free SSL, and switches the domain when everything is ready. Older websites are welcome.
What is a TTL in DNS?
TTL stands for time to live. It tells other servers how long, in seconds, they can cache a DNS record before asking again. A low TTL, such as 300, means changes spread quickly. A high TTL, such as 86,400, means fewer lookups but slower changes. Lower it before a move.
Do I need to change nameservers to move host?
Not always. You can keep your current DNS provider and just change the A record to the new server's IP address. Changing nameservers moves all DNS management to a new provider, which is useful if you want something like Cloudflare, but you must copy every existing record first.
Related
Set it up and forget about it
Managed hosting, Plesk, Cloudflare DNS, daily backups and your domain for £1 a day + VAT. We move your site for you.