How to Switch Hosts Without Breaking Your Site
Ready to escape your terrible hosting? Here's how Raleigh businesses can safely migrate to better hosting without breaking their website or losing customers.
Good News for Triangle Businesses
Most good hosting providers offer free migrations. You don't have to do this yourself—but it's good to understand the process.
Step-by-Step Migration Guide
Don't just pick any host. Choose one that's actually better than what you have. Check our detailed comparison guide or see our recommended hosts:
- • Cloudways: Best overall for most Raleigh businesses
- • Rocket.net: Perfect for WordPress sites
- • Raleigh Hosting Co.: Local support you can trust
Before touching anything, create a complete backup:
- • All website files (via FTP or hosting panel)
- • Complete database export
- • Email accounts and settings
- • DNS records (screenshot your current settings)
Pro tip: Use plugins like UpdraftPlus for WordPress or ask your current host for a full backup.
When signing up for your new host:
- • Don't change your domain DNS yet
- • Ask about free migration services
- • Get your new hosting account details
- • Set up a temporary domain if needed
Most good hosts will do this for you, but here's what happens:
Files & Database
- • Upload all website files
- • Import database
- • Update file permissions
- • Configure settings
Email & Other Services
- • Set up email accounts
- • Configure SSL certificate
- • Test all functionality
- • Check forms and plugins
Before switching DNS, test your site on the new host:
- • Use temporary URL or modify your hosts file
- • Check all pages load correctly
- • Test contact forms and functionality
- • Verify email is working
- • Check mobile responsiveness
Now for the moment of truth—point your domain to the new host:
- • Log into your domain registrar
- • Update nameservers or A records
- • Wait for DNS propagation (24-48 hours)
- • Monitor your site during the transition
Pro tip: Do this during low-traffic hours for your Triangle business.
Once everything is working on the new host:
- • Keep old hosting for 30 days (just in case)
- • Cancel old hosting account
- • Update any hardcoded URLs
- • Set up monitoring for your new host
Common Migration Mistakes
- • Not backing up before starting
- • Changing DNS before testing the new site
- • Forgetting to migrate email accounts
- • Not updating WordPress URLs in the database
- • Canceling old hosting too quickly
Let the Experts Handle It
Honestly? Most Raleigh businesses should just let their new host handle the migration. Here's why:
- They do this daily: Migration experts know all the gotchas
- Free service: Most good hosts include free migration
- Less risk: If they break something, they fix it
- Faster: What takes you hours takes them minutes
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Ready to Switch to Better Hosting?
Don't let fear of migration keep you stuck with terrible hosting. These hosts make it easy.