/ Web design
How do I move my website to a new host without downtime?
Copy the site to the new host, test it there, lower your DNS TTL, then switch. Downtime should be minutes, not days.
/ 01
The short version
Migrations go wrong when people change DNS first and test later.
/ 02
What actually matters
- • Full backup of files and database before anything.
- • Deploy and test on the new host using a temporary URL.
- • Lower DNS TTL to 300 seconds 24 hours ahead.
- • Switch nameservers or A records, then verify SSL reissues.
- • Keep the old host live for a week as a fallback.
/ 03
The bit most people get wrong
Email is the usual casualty. If your email runs on the same host, move or preserve MX records deliberately.
/ 04
What to do next
Write down where your domain, hosting and email each live before you start. Half of migration pain is not knowing.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get hosting migrations right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
Will I lose rankings?
Not if URLs stay identical.
How long does DNS take?
Usually under an hour with a low TTL.
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