Hosting Fit Guide
Move your site with a backup, a test copy, and a plan for switching traffic.
Inventory and back up the existing site
Record WordPress and PHP versions, the domain registrar, DNS provider, custom redirects, scheduled jobs, and any email records you rely on. Export the database and site files and keep a copy off the old host. Ask the new provider what its migration service covers, especially email, multisite and ecommerce.
Test the new copy
Use a staging address or a provider’s preview method. Check key pages, images, HTTPS, forms, redirects, logins and scheduled tasks. Confirm that staging is protected against search indexing and that any staging restrictions are removed from production when it goes live.
Choose when to switch traffic
Pick a quieter period. If visitors can place orders or submit data, coordinate a final sync and a short write freeze as appropriate. Follow your new host’s DNS instructions. Preserve mail and verification records if you move nameservers, and retain the old host while you verify the change.
Verify production and keep a rollback path
Recheck important URLs, certificate status, forms, email delivery, redirects and your sitemap on the live domain. For a store or membership site, reconcile any new orders or accounts before rolling back. Keep the old backup until you’ve confirmed that traffic and data are reaching the new host.