How Do I Move with Less Downtime?
Switching to a new host can be a complicated process. Follow the steps below to ensure a smooth and painless transition to your new host.
Step 1: Sign up with your new hosting company
Join your new host. Do NOT cancel with your old hosting provider or tell them you are canceling, as this could prematurely terminate your site and cause downtime.
Step 2: Make a backup of your files
At this point, you should have hosting accounts with two hosting providers (the old host and the new host). You will now migrate your entire site from the old host to the new one. This can be done by connecting to the old host's FTP, downloading all your files, then connecting to the new host's FTP and uploading all your files (maintaining the same file and folder structure). More information on FTP can be found in our FTP Getting Started article.
Step 3: Backup the databases
You must also backup any databases on the old host (contact the old host for instructions) and upload the backup files to the new host via FTP. You must then restore your databases from those backup files; this can be done via SSH or cPanel's phpMyAdmin.
Emails do not usually transfer, but you can archive your emails from the old host by making a POP3 connection to each email address; all the old emails are downloaded to your local computer. The new host will not have those old emails, but the new host will be able to get new emails.
Step 4: Update the DNS
After you have all your files on both hosting accounts, it is time to change your domain name's DNS. Your new host will provide the correct name servers (DNS). You may need to contact the new host to find out what DNS settings you will use for your domain name.
DNS name servers usually look like this (replace yourhostname.com with your host's actual domain name):
- ns1.yourhostname.com
- ns2.yourhostname.com
Once you have the correct DNS, go to the registrar, the company where you purchased your domain name, to make the change. If you bought your domain name from your host, you must ask them to make the DNS changes. If you bought your domain name from HostGator, we are happy to help you or even make the DNS changes.
If you want to point your DNS to your HostGator account, you can do the update through your Customer Portal.
Please note that due to the upgrade done on the Customer Portal in November 2023, all new customer signups will be moving to the new DNS setup.
The name servers of new customers will look like the following:
- hgns1.hostgator.com
- hgns2.hostgator.com
Customers who signed up before November 2023 will have the following format for their name servers:
- ns0000.hostgator.com
- ns1111.hostgator.com
Step 5: Wait to propagate
Once your DNS changes have been made, you will need to wait 48 hours from the time of the change before your site will load from the new host. During these 48 hours, your DNS propagates worldwide, and your site will randomly load from old or unknown hosts. Once the two days are complete, your site will only load from the new host.
Step 6: Cancel hosting with the old host
After 48 hours, your updated DNS will be fully functional. You will now contact your old host and cancel your hosting account with them. Do not cancel your domain registration if you originally bought your domain name from the old host.
By following and completing the steps above, you will have successfully switched hosts with no downtime! For advanced techniques, please refer to the following article: