If your current hosting is slow, unreliable, or simply not fit for purpose, switching providers is the right move. Many business owners put it off because it sounds complicated or risky — but done properly, a hosting migration can be carried out with no downtime and no data loss.
What moving host involves
A website migration has three main stages:
1. Copy the files and database — your website's files and database are copied to the new hosting environment. At this point, the site exists in both places, but your visitors are still seeing the old one.
2. Test on the new host — before switching, the site on the new host is tested to make sure everything works correctly. This catches any issues before the switch goes live.
3. Update the DNS — the DNS settings for your domain are changed to point at the new host. Once this propagates (typically within a few hours), visitors are directed to the new hosting. The old hosting can then be cancelled.
Is there any downtime?
With a properly managed migration, downtime should be minimal to zero. The key is having the site fully working on the new host before changing the DNS, and keeping the old hosting active until propagation is complete.
Avoid migrations that involve taking the old site down first and then moving it — this approach creates unnecessary risk.
What can go wrong?
The most common issues are:
- Database connection errors — database credentials need to be updated on the new host for the site to connect correctly
- Email disruption — if email is hosted alongside the website, DNS changes need to be handled carefully to avoid disruption
- SSL not configured — the new host's SSL certificate needs to be set up before the DNS switch, not after
These are all manageable with the right technical knowledge — but they're reasons why migration is best handled by someone who does it regularly rather than attempting it for the first time yourself.
NC Digital handles migrations
If you're unhappy with your current hosting, we can migrate your custom or WordPress site to our managed hosting — £20/month or £220/year — including SSL, Cloudflare CDN, daily backups, and 99.9% uptime.
We handle the full migration process, including testing and DNS changes, so your site moves across cleanly.
Get in touch to discuss moving your website across.