Migrating your website can be taxing when transferring your business to a different hosting provider without experiencing downtime. Whether you are moving to a different hosting platform or introducing improvements, careful consideration and planning are required.
In this blog, we will look at tips on how you can change or improve your NZ website hosting platform with no or minimum downtime.
What is Website Migration?
Web host migration is when you buy a domain and web hosting plan from a different provider and then transfer your website to this new host. It is similar to shifting houses where you let people know you have shifted.
In the case of websites, you do that by choosing a website hosting provider, selecting a plan, transferring your files and updating your nameserver records.
Types of Website Migration
- White Glove Migration: This is the most common type of migration in which you take the website migration service provided by the new hosting provider and they will take care of everything.
- Manual Migration: As the name suggests, in this case of migration you make the transfer all by yourself without taking any help from any website migration services. The key reason why this form of migration is so unpopular is because of the complications it possesses.
Website Migration Tips To Avoid Downtime
Here are a few tips to help you avoid downtime when migrating your website:
1. Hold Your Current Website Till Migration is Over
It is advisable to keep holding to your current website until you have securely moved all your files and data to the new website. Not only does it help you avoid severe downtime but also reduces the risk of data loss.
2. Back-Up All Your Data
You must back up all your data from the old website and upload it on the new website to prevent data loss. This also increases your chance of recovering any old data in case you have lost it.
3. Set Up New Hosting Site and Transfer Your Files
Set up the new hosting site by installing applications, software and configuration settings that might be needed by the website. Once you are done with that, start transferring all your files using secure methods such as FTP/SFTP for files and phpMyAdmin or similar tools for the database.
4. Test New Site
Before you fully transfer your website to a new host, run the migration through a test on local servers or staging environments. This helps you to detect problems in the early stages to eradicate them before your website gets live.
5. Update DNS Settings
Once the website has passed the migration test, update your Domain Name System(DNS) settings to point your audience to your new website. A DNS update typically takes 48 hours to fully change, so schedule accordingly.
To Wrap Up!
Website migration without downtime is completely achievable if you plan it properly. Take note of these tips for seamless transfer without any data loss or fall in SEO rankings. Carefully monitoring the process and performing thorough post-migration testing are essential to maintain a smooth transition.
However, if you lack the required skills or technical knowledge, don’t shy away from seeking migration service from your new web host.
