How to Transfer WordPress to New Hosting Without Downtime

Moving WordPress to a new hosting provider does not have to take your website offline. The safest approach is to prepare the new server first, copy your website, test it before changing DNS, and keep the old hosting account active during the transition.

This guide shows how to transfer WordPress to new hosting without downtime while keeping the same domain name.

Note: This guide covers changing hosting providers while keeping the same domain. Moving WordPress to a new domain requires a different migration process.

Can You Move WordPress Without Downtime?

Yes. A carefully planned WordPress hosting migration can avoid noticeable downtime.

The basic process is:

1. Back up your website.
2. Prepare the new hosting account.
3. Copy WordPress files and the database.
4. Test the new server.
5. Perform a final database sync if needed.
6. Change DNS.
7. Keep the old server online during the transition.

WordPress supports moving an existing installation to a new server without reinstalling WordPress. WordPress migration documentation

Before You Transfer WordPress

Create a Complete Backup

Back up both:

• WordPress files
• WordPress database

Make sure the backup includes wp-content, which contains your themes, plugins, and uploaded media.

Keep a copy outside your old hosting account so you have a recovery option if something goes wrong.

Prepare the New Hosting Account

Set up the website on the new server before changing DNS.

Check that the new hosting environment supports your current:

• PHP version
• Database
• Required PHP extensions
• WordPress plugins and theme
• SSL certificate

Also review your existing DNS records, especially if your domain is used for business email.

Lower DNS TTL if Appropriate

If you control your DNS, consider lowering the TTL of the website’s relevant DNS record before the migration.

A lower TTL can reduce how long some DNS resolvers keep using the old DNS information. However, it does not guarantee that every visitor will switch to the new server at exactly the same time.

How to Transfer WordPress to New Hosting

1. Copy Your WordPress Files

Transfer the complete WordPress installation from the old server to the new one.

You can use a hosting migration tool, WordPress migration plugin, SFTP, FTP, SSH, or your hosting control panel.

Do not copy only wp-content. A complete migration requires the WordPress files and database.

2. Move the WordPress Database

Export the database from the old hosting account and import it into the database created on the new server.

If the database name, username, password, or host changes, update the corresponding values in wp-config.php.

For example:

define( ‘DB_NAME’, ‘database_name’ );

define( ‘DB_USER’, ‘database_user’ );

define( ‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘database_password’ );

define( ‘DB_HOST’, ‘database_host’ );

The correct DB_HOST value depends on your hosting environment, so do not assume it will always be localhost.

3. Keep the Same WordPress URLs

If you are only changing hosting providers, keep your existing domain and WordPress URLs.

For example:

https://example.com

should remain:

https://example.com

You normally do not need to perform a database-wide URL replacement just because the hosting provider has changed.

4. Test the New Website

Before changing DNS, test the website on the new server using a temporary URL, preview address, staging environment, or hosts-file override.

Check the most important functions:

• Homepage and key pages
• WordPress login
• Images
• Forms
• Plugins
• HTTPS
• Permalinks
• WooCommerce checkout, if applicable

Fix any problems before sending live traffic to the new server.

5. Perform a Final Database Sync

This step is important for websites where data changes frequently.

For example, a WooCommerce store may receive an order after you make the initial database copy.

If that new order exists only on the old server, switching to an older database on the new server can cause data loss.

For dynamic websites, perform a final database synchronization immediately before switching traffic. Minimize important database changes during this final step when necessary.

6. Update DNS

Once the new website is working correctly, point your domain to the new hosting server.

If your DNS provider is staying the same, you may only need to update the relevant A or AAAA record.

You do not necessarily need to change nameservers.

During DNS transition, some visitors may still reach the old server while others reach the new one. This is why both servers should remain functional.

Keep Your Old Hosting Active

Do not cancel your old hosting account immediately after changing DNS.

Keep it active until you have confirmed that:

• The new website loads correctly.
• DNS is pointing to the new server.
• Important website data is present.
• Forms and other critical functions work.
• Business email continues working.

Once the migration is stable, you can safely remove the old hosting account.

Don’t Break Your Email During Migration

If your business email uses the same domain, be careful when changing DNS.

Your email may depend on records such as:

• MX
• SPF
• DKIM
• DMARC

Moving WordPress does not require moving your email service.

If your DNS provider remains unchanged, update only the records needed for the website instead of replacing the entire DNS zone.

Common WordPress Migration Mistakes

Avoid these mistakes:

• Changing DNS before testing the new server.
• Deleting the old hosting account too early.
• Forgetting to migrate the database.
• Using an outdated database backup.
• Changing WordPress URLs unnecessarily.
• Replacing DNS records without checking email.
• Forgetting SSL on the new server.
• Ignoring .htaccess or server-specific rewrite rules.

Frequently Asked Questions