Kerstin JA3 months ago
Klare Kommunikation, hohe Empathie und eine tolle Unterstützung bei Fragen und Unwissenheit. Ich kann seine Arbeit absolut empfehlen und bin sehr zufrieden mit dem Ergebnis meiner Webseite. Danke!
Migrating WordPress: Changing Servers and Domains Without Downtime
New hosting or a new domain? I'll migrate your WordPress website—with no downtime, no loss of emails, and clean redirects.
The Trigger
Why Many People Put Off Switching Hosting Providers
Slow or Expensive Hosting
Long loading times cost visitors and hurt search rankings, while rising contract prices strain the budget. Still, many stick with their old hosting provider—out of fear that moving to a new one might cause problems.
Fear of Downtime and Data Loss
A website that’s offline for days, or a database that’s only partially migrated—these kinds of horror stories result from doing things in the wrong order. With thorough preparation, the switchover is a non-event.
DNS, SSL, email—too much technical stuff
DNS entries, MX records, SSL certificates, database access—there are many factors to consider when moving a website, and even one mistake can affect accessibility. I’ll handle the entire technical process for you.
The Decision
Moving Your Hosting on Your Own vs. With a Professional
Technically speaking, the process of migrating a WordPress site is well documented—and yet, websites regularly go offline, emails disappear, or SSL certificates fail during the process. The difference rarely lies in the tool itself, but rather in the order of steps, testing, and having a Plan B.
| On Your Own | With a professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Downtime | risky—DNS and database errors can quickly lead to downtime | virtually zero – the switchover occurs only after a complete test |
| Email inboxes | are often forgotten and lost | are inventoried, migrated, and smoothly transitioned |
| Database & Files | Manual Export/Import with Pitfalls | Complete migration, including backup and verification |
| SSL & HTTPS | Certificate Errors and Mixed Content Warnings | Certificates and URLs are being migrated smoothly |
| Time commitment | Many evenings and uncertainty | A few hours, scheduleable for your preferred date |
To be fair: Many hosting providers offer their own migration tools that work well for standard installations. But as soon as email accounts, a domain change, or special configurations come into play, hiring a professional pays off—at the latest when the first problem arises.
Scope of Services
What's Involved in Migrating WordPress to a New Hosting Provider
Complete Migration of Files and Databases
Completely migrate the WordPress installation, uploads, themes, plugins, and database—including a backup before starting and a comparison with the original.
Domain & DNS Migration
Domains and DNS records are prepared and migrated on the desired date—with short TTL times to ensure a transition without any noticeable downtime.
Email Migration & Forwarding
Mailboxes, aliases, and forwarding rules will be transferred or set up anew—no emails will be lost during the migration.
SSL, HTTPS & Security
SSL certificates will be set up on the new hosting platform, all URLs will be properly migrated to HTTPS, and the basic security settings will be checked.
Final Check & Follow-up Inspection
After the switchover, I'll check forms, load times, redirects, and Google Search Console—and I'll be available in the days that follow.
And many other features available upon request
Today, we can meet almost any website need based on your specific needs and requirements. Just ask us.
After the Switchover
What Happens After the Switchover
The switchover takes a few hours to take effect everywhere—that’s why I stay on top of it during this time.
The Path
Here's How the WordPress Migration Works
- AssessmentDay 1I review your hosting, domains, email accounts, and specific features of your WordPress installation—and you’ll receive a reliable cost estimate.
- PreparationDay 1–2Back up the entire website, set up the new hosting, and copy the installation to the new environment.
- TestDay 2–3The copy is thoroughly checked—pages, forms, plugins, load times—while your website continues to run unchanged.
- Prepare DNS1–2 days priorThe validity of the DNS entries is shortened so that the switchover takes effect quickly later.
- SwitchoverMigration DayFinal backup, last data synchronization, switch DNS to the new server—including SSL and email.
After the Switchover
What Happens After the Switchover
The switchover takes a few hours to take effect everywhere—that’s why I stay on top of it during this time.
- Transitionfirst few hoursThe switchover propagates, old and new servers run in parallel during this time.
- Controlnext dayForms, email reception, SSL, redirects, and Search Console are checked.
- Completionafter one weekIf everything is running stably, the old hosting contract can be terminated.
The Investment
How much does it cost to migrate a WordPress site to a new hosting provider?
A simple hosting migration is straightforward: I charge by the hour— €95 —and most migrations are completed in just a few hours. If the project involves a domain change, multiple email accounts, or special configurations, I’ll provide you with a reliable estimate in advance.
After the free assessment, you’ll know what to expect. All prices at a glance: Web design costs.
Web Design Examples: Here's What Your New Website Could Look Like
What My Clients Say
Let's talk about switching your hosting provider
During the free assessment, I’ll review your hosting, domains, and email accounts—and you’ll receive an honest estimate of what the migration will cost and how to complete it without any downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions About WordPress Migration
How long will my website be offline during the migration?
Normally, you won't even notice it. The website is first copied in its entirety to the new hosting server and tested there—only then is the domain switched over. Thanks to preconfigured DNS settings, the switchover usually takes just a few minutes, and the site remains accessible to visitors the entire time.
What will happen to my email accounts?
All mailboxes, aliases, and forwarding rules are recorded in advance, set up in the new configuration, and the MX records are updated to ensure that no emails are lost. Upon request, I can also migrate the mailbox contents—or the emails can remain with the previous provider while only the website is moved.
Will my Google rankings change?
If the domain remains the same, practically nothing changes for Google—faster hosting can even have a positive effect. If the domain changes, Google re-evaluates the website; by setting up 301 redirects for each old URL and monitoring the process through Search Console, I minimize the risk.
What hosting service do you recommend for WordPress?
That depends on your budget and requirements. It’s important to have the latest PHP versions, daily backups, good support, and—for most of my clients—a server location in Germany. I provide independent advice and recommend the hosting solution that’s right for your website, not the one that pays the highest commission.
How much does it cost to migrate my hosting?
We bill on an hourly basis at €95 —a standard move is usually completed in just a few hours. After the free on-site assessment, you’ll receive a reliable estimate; nothing will cost more without your approval.
Do you also migrate websites that aren't powered by WordPress?
Yes—if the migration involves switching to WordPress. I can fully migrate websites from Jimdo, Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, TYPO3, Joomla, or Drupal to WordPress. I do not offer server migrations for other systems that do not involve switching to WordPress.