12 min
Website Migration to New Hosting
Backup, transfer, DNS change step by step.
Migrating a website to new hosting sounds scary, but with the right steps you can do it with zero downtime. This guide walks through backup, FTP transfer, MySQL export and import, DNS update, and SSL setup. BeoHosting offers free professional migration for all paid plans.
Website Migration to New Hosting
Take a full site backup
Before any change, take a complete backup. In cPanel go to Backup → Download a Full Account Backup. This saves all files, databases, email accounts and settings. For WordPress, alternatively use UpdraftPlus for a one-click backup. Store the backup in multiple locations (local disk, cloud storage).
Export the database
In cPanel open phpMyAdmin, pick your site database and click "Export". Choose Quick → SQL format → Go. Save the .sql file to your computer. For large databases (>50 MB) use Custom Export with "gzipped" compression.
Copy files to the new host
Two ways: FTP client (FileZilla) — download all files from public_html on the old host, upload to the new. For faster transfer, zip public_html on the old host (File Manager → Compress), upload one .zip to the new host and extract. SSH transfer (scp command) is fastest for large sites.
Import the database on the new host
On the new host (BeoHosting cPanel) create a new MySQL database and user (MySQL Databases). Open phpMyAdmin, pick the new database and click "Import". Upload the .sql file and click Go. For large databases use the BigDump script.
Update configuration files
For WordPress: open wp-config.php in File Manager and update database details: DB_NAME (new db name), DB_USER (new user), DB_PASSWORD (new password) and DB_HOST (usually localhost on BeoHosting). For other CMSes, find the appropriate config file and update connection parameters. Check for hardcoded URLs that need updating.
Change DNS records (nameservers)
When the site works on the new host, change nameservers at your domain registrar to BeoHosting nameservers: ns1.beohosting.com and ns2.beohosting.com. DNS propagation takes 2-24 hours during which some visitors see the old site and some the new. Do not turn off the old hosting for at least 48 hours after the DNS change.
Test the site on the new host
Before the DNS change, test the site using the hosts file on your computer or the temporary URL BeoHosting provides. Check all pages, forms, links, images and functionality. Test load speed too. If using WordPress, install the Better Search Replace plugin and update all URLs in the database from old to new domain (if the domain changed).
Activate the SSL certificate
On BeoHosting, free Let's Encrypt SSL is included on every package. In cPanel open SSL/TLS Status, tick the domain and click "Run AutoSSL". Within minutes you get a valid SSL. Force HTTPS via cPanel "Force HTTPS Redirect" or .htaccess.
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FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about our services.
Call us: support works 24/7, by phone and through tickets.
(+381) 60 3535 720How long does site migration to a new host take?
The actual file and database migration takes 30-60 minutes for an average site. DNS propagation after the nameserver change takes 2-24 hours (rarely up to 48). During DNS propagation, the site works normally — some visitors see the old, some the new version. BeoHosting offers free migration completed within 24 hours of receiving the request.
Will I lose data during migration?
No, if you follow the steps in this guide. The key is taking a full backup before starting and not turning off the old host until the migration is complete and verified. BeoHosting free migration includes a complete check after the move. Even if something goes wrong, the backup on the old host guarantees a return to the previous state.
Does BeoHosting offer free migration?
Yes, BeoHosting offers free migration for all new customers. Our team will move your site, database, email accounts and all settings at no cost. Just open a ticket in the customer panel with credentials for the old host and we will handle everything for you. Migration completes within 24 hours.
Is there downtime during migration?
With proper migration, downtime is minimal or zero. The site on the old host works normally while files are copied to the new. The only "transition" period is DNS propagation (2-24h) when both servers are functional. For zero downtime, the BeoHosting team can set up temporary forwarding while DNS propagates.
What if I have multiple domains on one hosting?
Each domain (addon domain) is migrated separately — each has its own database, files and configuration. On BeoHosting, free migration covers all domains on your account. You need to change DNS for each domain individually at the registrar. We recommend migrating domains one by one, testing each, before moving to the next.
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