Key facts
- Migration is free with the £1 a day + VAT plan
- Up to 5 email accounts moved free; more than 5 may be charged
- Files, databases, cron jobs and PHP settings moved and checked
- Site tested on the new server before DNS is switched
- DNS moved to Cloudflare and managed by dijitul
- Free SSL issued on the new server
- Older PHP and legacy sites handled where safely possible
- Works with cPanel, Plesk, DirectAdmin and custom servers as a source
What we move
A website is more than a folder of files. When dijitul migrates a site we move and check:
- All website files, including uploads, themes and hidden files such as .htaccess.
- MySQL or MariaDB databases, with character sets preserved so accents and £ signs don't break.
- Configuration files with database passwords and paths updated.
- Cron jobs, so scheduled tasks like invoice emails or feed imports keep running.
- PHP version and settings such as memory limit, upload size and required extensions.
- DNS records, including the email records you rely on.
- Email accounts, if they live on your current host. They move into the 10 POP3/IMAP mailboxes included with your plan. Moving up to 5 is free; more than 5 may be charged, and we'll tell you before starting.
How a migration runs
- Audit. We look at your current hosting: PHP version, database size, cron jobs, email setup and any unusual extensions such as ionCube.
- Copy. We take a full copy of files and databases from your current host.
- Test. We run the site on our server before changing DNS, checking pages, forms, logins and checkout if you have one.
- Switch. We move DNS to Cloudflare and point it at the new server. Cloudflare DNS changes take effect quickly, which keeps the changeover short.
- Final sync. For busy shops or forums we do a last database sync at switch-over so no orders or posts are lost.
- SSL and checks. We issue a free certificate and check for mixed content warnings.
Older and awkward websites
A lot of migrations fail because the site is old. It might need PHP 5.6 or 7.x, rely on an ionCube-encoded module, or have hard-coded paths. Many hosts only offer current PHP and tell you to rebuild.
We'd rather get it working. Our Plesk server runs Ubuntu 24.04 LTS with PHP 5.6, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5 installed, and we choose the version per site. Code that still uses the old mysql_ functions removed in PHP 7 needs small fixes, and we'll explain what's involved. If the code needs small fixes to run on a newer PHP version, we'll tell you what's involved. See legacy PHP hosting and website rescue.
What we need from you
- A login to your current hosting control panel, or FTP/SFTP and database access.
- Access to wherever your domain is registered, or permission for us to transfer it.
- Details of your email: who provides it and whether mailboxes live on your current host.
- A list of anything that must keep working, such as payment gateways, booking forms or feeds.
If your old developer has disappeared and nobody has the logins, we can usually still help. See abandoned website takeover.
Getting started
Order dijitul Complete Hosting at clients.dijitul.uk/order and we'll contact you to plan the move. The plan is £1 a day + VAT, billed annually at £365 + VAT or monthly at £35 + VAT, and the migration is free. Invoices are sent by email. Moving lots of sites at once, or a large application? Ask for a quote on 01623 650333 or 07425 323333.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move my website to a new host without downtime?
Copy the site to the new server, test it there, lower DNS TTLs, then switch DNS and do a final database sync. dijitul does all of this for free when you take its £1 a day + VAT hosting, using Cloudflare DNS so the switch takes effect quickly.
Will I lose my emails if I change web host?
Not if the move is planned. dijitul copies mailboxes from your old host into the 10 POP3/IMAP accounts included with its hosting, then switches your MX record in Cloudflare. Moving up to 5 email accounts is free; more than 5 may be charged. Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace records are kept intact.
Can you migrate a website that uses an old version of PHP?
Usually, yes. dijitul's Plesk server has PHP 5.6, 7.0 to 7.4 and 8.0 to 8.5 installed, chosen per site, so legacy sites can keep running rather than being rebuilt. If code changes are needed for a newer PHP version, we explain what's involved first.
How long does a website migration take?
A typical small business site takes a few days from order to go-live, most of which is waiting for access details and testing. The actual switch-over is short. Large shops or sites with complex setups take longer and we'll agree a plan with you.
Does dijitul charge for website migration?
No. Website migration is free with dijitul Complete Hosting at £1 a day + VAT. Moving more than 5 email accounts may be charged. Large multi-site moves, server-to-server migrations for VPS or dedicated hosting, and custom applications are quoted.
Do I need to transfer my domain when I change web host?
Not necessarily. You can keep your domain where it is and just change the nameservers. Many people move the domain too, so everything is in one place. dijitul includes one domain registration or renewal a year in its plan.
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.