How to Transfer Website Without Any Downtime (A Step-by-Step Walkthrough)

---

Moving your website to a new host can feel scary. You worry about losing visitors or breaking your site. But we’re here to tell you that you can transfer your website without any problems.

Why You Might Need to Transfer Your Website

Many website owners face this situation. Your current host might be too slow or too expensive. Maybe you need better customer support or more features.

Whatever your reason, transferring doesn’t have to be hard. We at TrueHost have helped thousands of people move their websites safely.

What Is Website Downtime?

Downtime means your website stops working. Visitors see error messages instead of your pages. This can hurt your business and your search engine rankings.

The good news is that you can avoid this completely. With the right steps, your site stays online during the entire move.

Before You Start: Important Preparation Steps

a)Backup Your Entire Website

First, create a complete backup of everything. This includes all your files, databases, and emails. Think of it as your safety net.

You can use backup plugins like UpdraftPlus for WordPress sites. Most hosting control panels also have backup tools built in.

b)Check Your Current Hosting Details

Write down important information about your current setup. Note your PHP version, MySQL version, and any special configurations. This helps us set up your new hosting correctly.

c)Choose Your New Hosting Provider

Pick a reliable host that fits your needs. At TrueHost, we offer fast servers and 24/7 support to make your transfer website process smooth. Our team is ready to help you every step of the way.

1)Step One: Sign Up for Your New Hosting Account

Start by creating an account with your new provider. At TrueHost, the signup process takes just a few minutes. Choose a plan that matches your website size and traffic needs.

Don’t cancel your old hosting yet. You need both accounts active during the transfer website process.

2)Step Two: Download All Your Website Files

Log into your current hosting control panel. Look for the File Manager or use an FTP client like FileZilla.

Download everything from your public_html or www folder. This includes all images, themes, plugins, and code files. The download might take time depending on your site size.

3)Step Three: Export Your Database

Your database holds all your content, posts, and settings. Go to phpMyAdmin in your control panel. Select your database and click Export.

Choose the Quick export method and SQL format. Save this file safely on your computer.

4)Step Four: Upload Files to Your New Host

Log into your TrueHost control panel. Open the File Manager and go to your public_html folder.

Upload all the files you downloaded earlier. You can also use FTP to upload files faster. Make sure everything uploads completely before moving forward.

5)Step Five: Create and Import Your Database

In your new hosting panel, create a new database. Give it a name and create a database user. Write down the database name, username, and password.

Go to phpMyAdmin and select your new database. Click Import and upload the SQL file you exported earlier.

6)Step Six: Update Your Database Connection

Find your configuration file. For WordPress, this is wp-config.php. For other platforms, check their documentation.

Edit this file with your new database details. Update the database name, username, password, and host. Save the changes carefully.

7)Step Seven: Test Your Website on the New Server

Before changing your domain settings, you need to test everything. At TrueHost, we provide you with a temporary URL. This lets you see how your site looks on our servers.

Check every page and feature. Test contact forms, shopping carts, and user logins. Make sure images load correctly and links work properly.

8)Step Eight: Update Your Domain Name Servers

This is the crucial step where you transfer website control to the new host. Your domain registrar manages your DNS settings. Common registrars include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains.

Log into your domain registrar account. Find the DNS or nameserver settings. Replace the old nameservers with your new ones from TrueHost.

DNS changes take time to spread across the internet. This process is called propagation.

Understanding DNS Propagation

DNS propagation usually takes 24 to 48 hours. During this time, some visitors see your old site while others see your new one. This is normal and expected.

Your website stays online the entire time. There’s no downtime because both servers are running. This is why we keep your old hosting active during the transfer website migration.

9)Step nine: Monitor Your Website

Check your site regularly during the DNS propagation period. You can use online tools to see which server people are reaching. Visit your site from different devices and networks.

Watch your email inbox too. Make sure emails are still coming through. If you transferred email accounts, test sending and receiving messages.

10)Step Ten: Verify Everything Works Perfectly

After 48 hours, your DNS should be fully updated. Now test everything again thoroughly. Check all your website functions, forms, and features.

Review your Google Search Console for any crawl errors. Monitor your site speed and performance. At TrueHost, we offer free site monitoring to help you stay informed.

11)Step Elleven : Cancel Your Old Hosting

Wait at least a week after DNS propagation completes. This ensures everything is stable on your new server. Only then should you cancel your old hosting account.

Keep your final backup from the old host for a few months. This gives you extra peace of mind.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

a)Rushing the Process

Don’t skip steps to save time. Each step ensures your transfer website process goes smoothly. Rushing leads to errors and potential downtime.

b)Forgetting Email Accounts

Many people forget to migrate their email accounts. Back up all your emails before starting. Set up email accounts on your new host before changing DNS.

c)Not Testing Thoroughly

Always test your site on the new server before changing DNS. Missing errors can cause problems once your site goes live. Check every page, form, and function carefully.

d)Canceling Old Hosting Too Soon

Keep both hosting accounts active for at least a week. This buffer period protects you from unexpected issues. It’s worth the small extra cost for peace of mind.

Special Considerations for Different Platforms

i)WordPress Websites

WordPress sites need extra attention to URLs and permalinks. After moving, go to Settings > Permalinks and click Save. This refreshes your URL structure.

You might also need to update URLs in your database using plugins like Better Search Replace. This ensures all links point to the correct locations.

ii)E-commerce Stores

Online stores require careful handling during transfer. Test payment gateways thoroughly before switching DNS. Verify that SSL certificates are properly installed on your new host.

Check your inventory management and order processing systems. At TrueHost, we provide specialized support for e-commerce migrations to keep your sales running smoothly.

iii)Custom Applications

If you run custom software, document all settings carefully. Note any cron jobs, API connections, or third-party integrations. These need to be recreated on your new server.

How TrueHost Makes Transfer Website Process Easy

We understand that moving your website can feel overwhelming. That’s why we offer free website migration services. Our expert team handles the technical work for you.

We transfer website files, databases, and emails carefully. We test everything before making your site live. We also monitor the process to ensure zero downtime.

Our support team is available 24/7 to answer your questions. We guide you through each step and handle any issues that arise.

Why Zero Downtime Matters for Your Business

Every minute your site is down costs you money. Visitors leave and might not come back. Search engines notice downtime and may lower your rankings.

Professional customers expect your site to work perfectly. Downtime damages your reputation and trustworthiness. That’s why the method we’ve shared is so important.

Post-Migration Tasks

1)Update Your Bookmarks

Change your saved links to use your new hosting control panel. Update any stored FTP connection details. This prevents confusion later when you need to access your site.

2)Set Up Regular Backups

Configure automatic backups on your new host. At TrueHost, we offer daily automated backups. This protects your site from future problems.

3)Review Your Site Speed

Your new host should make your site faster. Test your loading times using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights. Enjoy the performance improvement from better hosting.

4)Update Your Records

Change your hosting information in your password manager. Update your documentation with new server details. Keep everything organized for future reference.

Get Professional Help When You Need It

You don’t have to transfer website hosting alone. If this process feels too technical, we’re here to help. At TrueHost, we handle hundreds of migrations every month.

Our migration specialists know how to avoid problems. We move sites of all sizes safely. You can focus on running your business while we handle the technical details.

Ready to Transfer Your Website?

Moving your website doesn’t have to cause downtime or stress. Follow these steps carefully and you’ll have a smooth migration. Remember to take your time and test everything thoroughly.

At TrueHost, we’re committed to making your hosting experience excellent. Whether you transfer your website yourself or let us help, we’re here for you. Our fast servers, reliable uptime, and expert support team are ready to welcome your site.

Start your migration to TrueHost today and experience hosting that works for you. We’ll help you every step of the way.

---

Final Tips for Success:

Take good notes throughout the process. Document what you did at each step. This helps if you need to troubleshoot later.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Contact your new host’s support team whenever you’re unsure. We at TrueHost are always happy to guide you through any confusion.

Back up everything before you start. This simple step protects you from any unexpected issues. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

The transfer website process is straightforward when you follow the right steps. Thousands of site owners successfully move their websites every day. You can do it too with proper planning and patience.

Your website deserves reliable, fast hosting. Take control of your online presence and make the move. We’re excited to welcome you to TrueHost and support your online success.