Preparing for a website migration

A website migration means moving your existing website from another hosting provider to WP Performance Hosting.

Migration requirements can vary depending on your current host, website type, domain setup, email setup, website size, plugins, backups and access details.

WP Performance Hosting may use automated migration tools, hosting control panel transfer tools, backups or manual migration steps depending on the situation.

Before requesting a migration

Before requesting a migration, gather as much information as possible about your current website and hosting setup.

This helps reduce delays and avoids missing important services such as email, DNS records, forms, checkout settings or third-party integrations.

Information we may need

For a WordPress or WooCommerce migration, we may ask for:

• Current website URL

• WordPress admin login

• Current hosting control panel login, if available

• cPanel login, if available

• FTP or file manager access, if needed

• Database access, if needed

• Backup files, if already available

• Domain registrar login or DNS access, if DNS changes are required

• Details about email currently connected to the domain

• Details about important forms, checkout features, payment gateways or integrations

• Any known website issues before migration

Do not send passwords in plain text unless we specifically ask for access and provide a safe method.

Current hosting access

If your existing host uses cPanel, the migration may be easier because files, databases, email settings and account data may be more structured.

If your existing host does not use cPanel, extra information or a different migration method may be required.

Some migrations can be handled using automated tools or backup-based methods. Others may require manual review.

How migration may be handled

WP Performance Hosting will choose the most suitable migration method based on the access available and the condition of the existing website.

A migration may involve:

• cPanel account transfer tools

• WordPress migration tools

• Backup-based migration

• File and database transfer

• DNS planning

• Post-migration checks

• Manual review where needed

The method used depends on your current hosting provider, available access, control panel type, website condition, file size, database size, email setup and the data available for migration.

Migration tools are useful, but they do not remove the need for correct access details, DNS planning and post-migration checks.

WordPress and WooCommerce migration notes

WordPress websites usually require files and database content to be moved together.

WooCommerce stores need extra care because they may involve:

• Products

• Orders

• Customer accounts

• Checkout pages

• Payment gateways

• Shipping settings

• Coupons

• Store emails

• Stock settings

• Active transactions

If your WooCommerce store is active, let us know before migration so timing and order changes can be considered.

Avoid making major changes to products, orders, pages or checkout settings during migration unless instructed.

Domain and DNS planning

A website migration usually requires domain or DNS changes after the new hosting is ready.

Depending on your setup, this may involve:

• Updating nameservers

• Updating A records

• Updating CNAME records

• Confirming www and non-www records

• Checking SSL after DNS changes

• Keeping email records intact

DNS changes can take time to update across the internet.

Do not change DNS until the migration plan is confirmed.

Email warning

Website migration and email migration are not always the same thing.

Moving your website does not automatically mean your existing email inboxes, email history or mail provider will be moved.

Before migration, confirm whether your domain email is currently handled by:

• Your old hosting provider

• cPanel email

• Google Workspace

• Microsoft 365

• Zoho Mail

• Another email provider

If your domain has working email, DNS changes must be handled carefully so email is not interrupted.

Email migration, inbox history transfer, device setup and third-party workspace administration are not included unless separately agreed.

Do not cancel your old hosting too early

Do not cancel your old hosting service before the migration is completed, tested and confirmed.

Cancelling old hosting too early can cause:

• Website downtime

• Loss of files

• Loss of backups

• Loss of database access

• Email disruption

• Migration delays

• Missing access needed for troubleshooting

Keep your old hosting active until WP Performance Hosting confirms the migration has been checked.

What happens after migration

After migration, the website may need to be checked for:

• Homepage loading

• Important pages

• Contact forms

• Login page

• Images and media

• Menus and links

• SSL certificate

• Mobile layout

• WooCommerce checkout, if applicable

• Payment gateway settings, if applicable

• Shipping settings, if applicable

• Email sending, where relevant

You should also check the website yourself and report anything that does not look correct.

What may not be included

Migration help does not automatically include every possible website or email task.

Depending on the service purchased, migration may not include:

• Website redesign

• Malware cleanup

• Fixing pre-existing website errors

• Updating broken plugins

• Rebuilding pages

• SEO recovery

• Email migration

• Inbox history transfer

• Device setup

• Third-party platform administration

• Custom development

• Large content cleanup

If extra work is required, WP Performance Hosting may recommend a paid support task, emergency fix or separate quote.

How to request migration help

Existing customers should request migration help through the client portal.

Client portal link:

https://client.wpperformancehosting.com/

When opening a ticket, include:

• Your domain name

• Current hosting provider

• Whether your current host uses cPanel

• Whether your website uses WordPress

• Whether your website uses WooCommerce

• Whether email is currently connected to the domain

• Whether you have domain registrar or DNS access

• Any known website issues

• Any deadline or preferred migration timing

Providing complete information helps us confirm the safest migration path.