The trick to a zero-downtime migration is that you build the site fully on the new host first, test it, and only then point your domain at it. The old site keeps serving visitors the whole time.
The three ways to migrate
| Method | Best for | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Migration plugin (Duplicator, All-in-One WP Migration) | Most WordPress sites | Low |
| Host-assisted (the new host does it free) | Anyone whose new host offers it | Lowest |
| Manual (files by SFTP, database by export/import) | Large sites, non-WordPress, troubleshooting | High |
The zero-downtime steps
- Take a full backup of the current site and download it somewhere safe.
- Set up hosting on the new provider and install a fresh copy of the platform.
- Move the files and database with your chosen method.
- Preview the new site using the host's temporary URL or by editing your local hosts file. Click through every important page, test forms and checkout.
- Lower your domain's DNS TTL to 300 seconds a day before the switch, so the change propagates fast.
- Update the DNS records (usually an A record or nameservers) to point at the new host.
- Keep the old hosting active for a week while DNS fully propagates, then cancel it.
Freeze changes during the switch. If your site takes orders or comments, put it in maintenance mode for the short window, or accept that anything submitted to the old server between the file copy and the DNS switch will not carry over. For a content site this is usually a non-issue.
After the move, check
- SSL is active on the new host (issue a fresh certificate if needed)
- Permalinks, internal links and images all resolve
- Email still works, or has been moved too
- Caching is enabled on the new host
- Search Console and analytics still verify
HM Towhidul Islam · Senior Technical SEO Lead
If your new host offers free migration, use it. Their team does this every day, they know the edge cases, and it is included. Do a manual migration only if the site is unusual or an automated one failed.
Prices checked September 2026. Hosting prices change often and vary by region and term. Confirm the current number on the provider's own site before you buy. Where we could not verify a figure we left it out.