Poor page loading, regular downtime, and lackluster customer service are some of the usual reasons why you need to switch hosting companies. The main reason that prevents many business owners from switching hosts is their fear that the website will be down during the transfer process.
It is not necessary for a website to be down while migrating from the old server to the new one, since you can move a website without any downtime on the part of the site if the old hosting account remains open till then.
The process below covers backups, testing, DNS changes, and email for business websites in Nepal, including WordPress sites and cPanel accounts.
Quick Answer
For the smooth migration of the website to a new host without any interruption, one should keep the current host alive and take backup of the website and database and transfer them to the new host. One should test the site on a temporary address and change the DNS address to the new address.
What Does Website Migration Without Downtime Mean?
Website migration without downtime means visitors can open the website at every moment of the move. For a short period, two working copies of the site exist: one on the old server and one on the new server.
After the domain is pointed to the new host, some visitors still reach the old server while others reach the new one. Both servers show the same content, so no visitor sees a broken site.
Downtime usually comes from doing the steps in the wrong order. Cancelling the old plan before the transfer is complete is the classic example.
Before You Change Hosting Provider: Preparation Checklist
Good preparation removes most of the risk. Complete these checks before moving any files.
- Keep the old hosting active. Cancel nothing until the move is finished.
- List everything the website uses. Include website files, databases, and scripts, plus every email address on the domain.
- Match the server environment. Confirm the new host supports the same PHP version and database type as the old host.
- Confirm domain access. Make sure you can log in to the account where the domain is registered. A domain bought through the old host must not be cancelled along with the hosting plan.
- Lower the DNS TTL. TTL (Time To Live) tells DNS servers how long to remember a domain’s records. Set TTL to 300 seconds 24 to 48 hours before the switch so the change spreads in minutes. Lowering TTL on the same day has little effect.
- Pick a quiet time. Late nights and weekends usually have the least traffic.
How to Migrate Website to New Hosting: Step by Step
Step 1: Back up the website files and database
Download all website files and export the database as an SQL file. WordPress site owners can use a backup plugin such as UpdraftPlus instead of exporting by hand.
Step 2: Prepare the new hosting account
Create a new database and a database user in the new host’s cPanel, then give that user full privileges on the database.
Step 3: Upload the files and import the database
Upload the website files to the new host with FTP, then import the SQL file through phpMyAdmin. Update the site’s configuration file with the new database name, user, and password.
Step 4: Test the new copy before changing DNS
Testing before the DNS change is the most important step for preventing downtime. Most hosts provide a temporary URL for previewing the site. Another option is editing the hosts file on your own computer so only your computer loads the new server.
Test the features that bring in business first. The priorities differ by type of website:
| Type of website | Example | What to test first |
|---|---|---|
| Online store | Newish Fashion Destiny | Product pages, cart, checkout, and payment options |
| Clinic or service business | Agni Dental | Appointment booking form and contact numbers |
| Travel and trekking agency | Discover Himalaya Nepal | Trip pages, inquiry forms, and booking forms |
Step 5: Point the domain to the new host
Update the domain’s nameservers to the new host’s nameservers, or change only the A record if DNS is managed elsewhere.
Step 6: Monitor, then close the old account
Confirm the domain loads from the new server and that forms, logins, and email work. Keep the old hosting active for at least several days, because both servers can receive visits until cached DNS records expire. Once the move is confirmed, raise the TTL back to its normal value and cancel the old plan.
Three Ways to Transfer a Website to Another Host
A website can be moved manually, with a plugin, or by the hosting provider’s own migration service.
| Method | How it works | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Manual transfer | Copy files with FTP and move the database with phpMyAdmin | Owners comfortable with a control panel |
| Migration plugin | A WordPress plugin such as Duplicator packages the site for upload | Anyone who wants to migrate a WordPress site to a new host |
| Host-assisted migration | The new provider’s team moves the site for you | Owners who prefer not to handle technical steps |
Some hosting companies offer free website migration to new customers, so ask before you buy a plan. In a cPanel to cPanel migration, moving the entire cPanel account also carries over the existing mailboxes.
How to Keep Business Email Working During the Move
Email keeps working when the domain’s MX records point to a working mail server at every stage. MX records are the DNS entries that direct incoming mail to the correct mail server.
Email hosted separately, for example on Google Workspace or Microsoft 365: only the website’s A record needs to change. If you switch nameservers instead, copy the MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records into the new DNS zone first. A new zone without the existing mail records can send incoming email to the wrong place.
Email hosted on the old hosting account: recreate every mailbox on the new host before the DNS change. Old messages do not move by themselves, so copy or archive them. Keep the old mailboxes active for a few weeks to catch late messages. A website migration plugin normally copies files and the database only. DNS records and mailboxes need separate handling.
Hosting Transfer in Nepal: Points to Check
.com.np domains follow a different timeline. Nameserver changes for .np domains are requested by logging in to the official .np domain management system, and the domain administration team processes requests twice a day. The registry states that propagation may take up to 24 to 48 hours. You cannot time the switch to the minute, so both copies of the website must stay online during the wait. Submit one request only, because repeated requests can delay the update.
Online stores need extra care. Orders and form submissions made before DNS finishes updating can be saved on the old server. Schedule the switch for a low-traffic period and check the old site for late orders before cancelling the old plan.
Ask about migration help. If you would rather not handle the hosting transfer yourself, ask the new provider about support. Suryani International lists migration among the issues its Nepal-based support team helps with.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Cancelling the old hosting plan before the domain loads from the new server
- Changing DNS before testing the new copy
- Lowering TTL on the day of the move instead of one or two days earlier
- Forgetting to recreate email accounts or copy MX records
- Cancelling a domain that was bought through the old host
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to migrate website to new hosting?
Copying the files depends on the size of the website. The DNS change takes roughly as long as the TTL that was set before the change: minutes when TTL was lowered to 300 seconds in advance, and up to 24 to 48 hours when it was not.
Will I lose emails when I change hosting provider?
Not if mailboxes are recreated on the new host and old messages are copied before the DNS change. Email hosted with a separate provider is unaffected as long as the MX records stay the same.
Do I have to transfer domain and hosting together?
No. The domain can stay with the current registrar. Only the DNS settings need to point to the new host.
Can I migrate a WordPress site to a new host myself?
Yes. A migration plugin or a manual copy of the files and database both work. Test the site on a temporary URL before changing DNS.
Is there a website migration service in Nepal?
Yes. Some hosting providers move the website for you. Suryani International includes migration among the issues its Nepal-based support team helps with.
The Order of Steps Matters Most
A hosting move goes wrong when steps happen out of order. Keep the old account running, lower TTL early, copy and test the site, switch DNS, and cancel the old plan last. Email needs its own check at every stage.
If you plan to move a business website, compare Suryani International’s web hosting plans or contact the support team to ask how they can help with your migration.