How to Migrate Your Website to a New Host Without Downtime

Switching hosts sounds risky, but a clean migration should result in zero visible downtime for your visitors. The trick is to move and fully test a copy of your site on the new server first, and only point your domain across once everything works. Done in the right order, the changeover is invisible.

This guide walks through the whole process — taking a complete backup, moving your files and database, testing on the new host, then handling DNS and cutover. We'll also flag where you can skip the manual work entirely: several hosts, including [SiteGround](/reviews/siteground/), [Kinsta](/reviews/kinsta/) and [WP Engine](/reviews/wpengine/), will migrate your site for free.

1. Take a full backup before you touch anything

Before any migration, capture a complete copy of your current site so you can roll back if something goes wrong. For WordPress that means all files (themes, plugins, the wp-content uploads folder and wp-config.php) plus a full export of the database. A plugin like Duplicator, All-in-One WP Migration or UpdraftPlus bundles both into a single archive; for non-WordPress sites, download files over SFTP and export databases via phpMyAdmin.

Store at least two copies — one locally and one off-site — and note your current PHP version, so you can match it on the new server. Keep the old hosting account active throughout; don't cancel it until the new site has been live and stable for a week or two.

• All site files via SFTP or a migration plugin
• A full database export (.sql)
• A record of your PHP version and key settings
• A copy kept somewhere other than either host

2. Use a free migration if your new host offers one

The simplest path to a downtime-free move is to let the host's team do it. SiteGround includes a free WordPress migration plugin and one free professional transfer on its higher plans; Kinsta offers free expert migrations on most plans; and WP Engine provides a free automated migration plugin plus managed transfers for larger sites. A2 Hosting and Cloudways also handle migrations free of charge.

These teams move and test your site on their infrastructure before anything changes publicly, which removes most of the risk. If you're weighing up the two premium managed options, our [Kinsta vs WP Engine comparison](/compare/kinsta-vs-wpengine/) breaks down speed, support and pricing side by side.

• SiteGround — free migration plugin plus one free expert transfer
• Kinsta — free expert migrations on most plans
• WP Engine — free automated plugin and managed transfers
• A2 Hosting & Cloudways — free migrations included

3. Move your files and database to the new server

If you're migrating manually, upload your files to the new host via SFTP and import your database through phpMyAdmin or the host's import tool. Recreate the database user and password, then update wp-config.php (or your app's config) with the new credentials. Match the PHP version to your old environment first to avoid plugin errors.

The critical detail at this stage is not to change your domain's DNS yet. Your live site should keep serving from the old host while the new copy sits ready and untested. This is what makes a zero-downtime cutover possible.

4. Test thoroughly before changing DNS

Preview the migrated site on the new server before the public ever sees it. Most hosts give you a temporary URL or staging domain; alternatively, edit your computer's hosts file to point your domain at the new server's IP just for you. Either way, you can browse the real site on the new host while visitors stay on the old one.

Click through key pages, submit a contact form, test the checkout if you run a shop, and check that images, internal links and logins all work. Confirm SSL is in place and that any caching or CDN is configured. Only move on once you're confident nothing is broken.

• Load the homepage and several inner pages
• Test forms, logins and any checkout flow
• Verify SSL certificate and HTTPS redirects
• Check images, menus and search work

5. Lower your TTL, then cut over the DNS

DNS changes propagate gradually, controlled by a setting called TTL (time to live). A day or two before cutover, log into your DNS provider and lower the TTL on your records to 300 seconds (five minutes). This means that when you finally switch, the change reaches visitors in minutes rather than the usual hours.

When you're ready, update the A record (and AAAA/CNAME as needed) to the new host's IP address. Because both servers hold an identical, working copy of your site, anyone hitting the old IP and anyone hitting the new IP sees the same thing — so there's no downtime during propagation. Once traffic has fully moved across, you can raise the TTL again.

6. Verify, monitor, then decommission the old host

After cutover, confirm the site is loading from the new server (a tool like a DNS checker, or your host's analytics, will show this). Re-test forms and logins on the live domain, set up fresh backups on the new host, and keep an eye on uptime and error logs for the first few days.

Leave the old hosting account running for one to two weeks as insurance. Once you're certain everything is stable and recent backups exist on the new host, you can safely cancel the old plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my website go down during migration?

It shouldn't. If you keep the old site live until an identical copy is built and tested on the new host, then switch DNS only at the end, visitors see no interruption. Lowering your DNS TTL beforehand makes the changeover near-instant.

How long does a website migration take?

A small WordPress site can be moved and tested in a few hours, though DNS propagation may take up to 24–48 hours to complete worldwide (much faster if you lower the TTL first). A free managed migration from a host like Kinsta or SiteGround typically completes within a business day.

Do hosts really migrate your site for free?

Yes. SiteGround, Kinsta, WP Engine, A2 Hosting and Cloudways all offer free migrations, though the exact terms vary — some include unlimited transfers, others one free move per account or only on certain plans. Always check the number of sites and plan tier covered before signing up.