Capture the current site
Export files, database, DNS records, email setup, certificates, scheduled jobs and integration secrets. Store at least one independent backup.
Ormaven Guides · Migration checklist · 2026-10-08
Moving web hosts: plan a safe migration, not a blind switch
A hosting migration is a process, not a change of logo. Protect the working version first, then test the new environment before switching traffic.
A decision checklist based on provider documentation and public guidance. We did not personally test or purchase the listed services.
Decision process
Four steps to a practical choice
Set up a temporary copy
Use the new host’s staging or preview option. Test all routes, forms, logins and checkout in a non-production environment.
Plan DNS and email separately
Provider migration help may not include mailbox contents, DNS entries, cron jobs or custom settings. Assign each task explicitly.
Switch with an escape route
Schedule a change window, validate SSL, redirects and uptime, then keep the previous environment available until confirmation.
Worked example
Example: the two-year cost check
Hypothetical inputs to demonstrate a formula; they are not actual Hostinger or SiteGround prices. Add domain, mailboxes and migration labor where applicable.
12 × €5 intro + 12 × €12 renewal + €35 extras = €239 / 24 months
Before payment
The final checklist
- Independent backup downloaded and tested
- Preview copy reviewed on mobile and desktop
- Forms, checkout and email delivery tested
- DNS records and redirects documented
- Previous site remains recoverable
Red flags
Common traps
- Changing nameservers before verifying the new site.
- Forgetting mailboxes and scheduled integrations.
- Treating a backup as proven without a restoration test.
Service options
Check the provider before committing
Web hostingOfficial site
Hostinger
Verify the current price, exact features and exclusions with the provider before purchasing.
Verify terms Official siteWeb hostingOfficial site
SiteGround
Verify the current price, exact features and exclusions with the provider before purchasing.
Verify terms Official siteLinks marked Partner link may earn Ormaven a commission. Inactive partnerships lead to the provider's ordinary official site. How partner links work.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Can a host migration guarantee zero downtime?
No universal guarantee. Good preparation reduces risk, but DNS caching and complex applications can still cause disruption.
Will the hosting provider move my emails?
Not necessarily; check scope. Some migration services explicitly exclude email.
When should I cancel the old hosting?
After the new site, emails, redirects and backups have all been verified.
Checkable sources
Source documents and next reads
No firsthand testing is claimed. Example prices are illustrative rather than live quotes.