How to Move a WordPress Website to a New Host (Without Downtime)

You can move a WordPress site to a new host without downtime if you copy it first, test it on the new server and only then switch your domain. The risky parts are the database, the live switch and anything that points to the old address. This guide walks through the steps in order and ends with what it costs if you hand it to someone else.

Before you start

• Decide why you are moving. Speed, price, support or a server problem. If the site is slow, check that hosting is actually the cause first; see why a WordPress site is slow.
• Check your new host. Many hosts offer free or limited migration, so ask before paying someone. Some limit it to certain plans.
• Do not cancel the old host yet. Keep it active until the move is fully checked, ideally for at least a week.
• Choose a quiet time. Avoid a sale, campaign launch or busy day.

Step by step

1. 1Back up everything. Take a full backup of files and database, and download a copy off the server. Check you can open it.
2. 2Note your setup. Write down the PHP version, any custom `.htaccess` or server rules, cron jobs, email accounts on the domain and the DNS records.
3. 3Copy the site to the new host. Either use a migration plugin such as Duplicator, or copy the files and export and import the database by hand.
4. 4Edit the config. Update `wp-config.php` with the new database name, user and password.
5. 5Test before you switch. Open the copy through a temporary URL or by changing your computer's hosts file. Check pages, forms, logins, checkout if you have a shop, and images.
6. 6Lower your DNS TTL. A day before the switch, reduce the TTL on your DNS records so the change spreads faster.
7. 7Switch DNS. Point the domain's A record, or nameservers, to the new host. It can take from minutes to a day or two to reach everyone.
8. 8Install or check SSL. Make sure HTTPS works on the new host straight away.
9. 9Check email. If email runs on your domain, confirm the MX records are still correct.
10. 10Final checks and clean-up. Test again, then keep the old host for a week before closing it.

Protecting your SEO

Moving host does not change your URLs, so rankings normally hold if the site is identical. Problems come from changes made at the same time:

• Keep the same URLs and page titles.
• Make sure the site is not set to "discourage search engines" in WordPress after the copy.
• Check the sitemap, robots.txt and redirects on the new server.
• Watch Google Search Console for errors in the first weeks.

If you change the domain or restructure URLs as well, plan 301 redirects. That is a bigger project than a host move.

Common problems

• Broken images or links: the old address is still stored in the database. Run a search and replace on the database.
• White screen or 500 error: often a PHP version mismatch or a missing extension.
• Login redirect loops: cache, wrong site URL settings or SSL not ready.
• Forms not sending: the new host may handle mail differently; use an SMTP plugin.

What a migration costs

Published guides put freelance WordPress migration at about $99 to $1,000, with $200 to $1,000 typical, and a simple site at the low end. One agency lists migrations from $499. Costs rise with site size, a shop or complex setup, and the number of things that must be tested. Many hosts migrate a site free, so ask yours first. These are market examples, not my quote.

When to hire someone

Do it yourself if the site is small, you have a good backup and the host helps. Hire someone if the site takes orders, is large or business-critical, or you cannot afford downtime or lost rankings. My WordPress migration service covers the copy, testing, DNS switch and post-move checks, and I quote in writing first. Send me your details and I will reply within 24 hours. A free audit is a good first step if you are not sure what is wrong with the current site.

Sources

• Migration costs: duplicator.com, seahawkmedia.com, cloudways.com

Related reading: WordPress maintenance costs and website redesign service.