Moving your website to a new host sounds risky, but with a careful process you can switch providers without your visitors ever seeing an interruption. The secret is to set everything up on the new host first and only change the domain over once you have confirmed the new copy works. This guide walks you through a smooth, downtime-free migration.
Why downtime happens (and how to avoid it)
Downtime during a migration usually comes from changing your domain’s DNS before the new site is ready, or from missing files or databases. The fix is sequencing: build and test the new site fully, then flip DNS last. Because both the old and new sites stay online during the switch, visitors always reach a working copy.
Step 1: Prepare and back up
- Take a full backup of your website files and databases from the old host.
- Note your email accounts so you can recreate them.
- Write down your current DNS records, especially MX (email) records.
Step 2: Set up the new host
- Create your hosting account and add your domain.
- Upload your files and import your database.
- Recreate your email accounts and any settings.
- Install your SSL certificate.
Step 3: Test before you switch
Before touching DNS, preview the site on the new server, using a temporary URL or by editing your computer’s hosts file. Click through pages, test forms, and confirm the database-driven content loads. Fix anything now, while the live site is still untouched.
Step 4: Lower your DNS TTL
A day or two before the switch, lower the TTL on your DNS records (for example to 300 seconds). This means when you finally change them, the update propagates quickly, shrinking the window where visitors could hit the old server.
Step 5: Switch the domain over
- Point your domain to the new host via nameservers or an updated A record.
- Keep the old hosting active for a few days while DNS propagates.
- Confirm email still flows by checking your MX records.
Step 6: Confirm and clean up
Once everything resolves to the new host and email works, you can safely cancel the old plan. Raise your TTL back to normal, and keep your backup for a while just in case.
Let Disoh handle the move
Switching to Disoh is easy: our support team can help migrate your site so the process is smooth and downtime-free, and you land on affordable hosting with free SSL, a global CDN, and no renewal price hikes. Compare Disoh plans or start a live chat to plan your migration.
