Migrating From Another Host

From Your Current Host: Website files, database backups, email settings, SSL certificates, subdomains list, and custom configurations.

For Sitelutions: Purchase hosting plan, obtain cPanel credentials, and note nameserver information.

1) CRITICAL: Don't cancel your current hosting account until you've completed ALL steps and verified everything works. This prevents downtime and provides a backup.

2) Purchase a hosting plan from Sitelutions and wait for activation confirmation.

(See here for help Purchasing and Configuring Hosting Services.)

Verification: Access your new cPanel to confirm the account is active before proceeding.

3) Create a complete backup of your current website before uploading to Sitelutions.

Recommended Method: Use the cPanel Backup Wizard at your current host (if available) to export and download a full backup to your local machine. This captures all files, databases, and email accounts in one file.

Alternative: Manually download files via FTP and export databases through phpMyAdmin separately.

4) Upload your site's files to your active Sitelutions hosting account.

Using Full Backup: In your Sitelutions cPanel, use Backup Wizard > Restore to upload and import your backup file. Wait for restoration to complete (may take 30 minutes to several hours).

Manual Upload: Upload files via File Manager or FTP, then import databases through phpMyAdmin and recreate email accounts.

Verification: Check that all files are present and test database connections if applicable.

5) Configure your domain with your Sitelutions account: Add a Domain, Transfer a Domain or Add a Subdomain (unless already done when using other Sitelutions services).

6) Visit your domain's registrar and point your domain's nameservers to Sitelutions' nameservers.

If you've registered or transferred your domain through Sitelutions, you can do this in the Domain Control Center. Check the box to the left of the desired domain, then click "Modify Nameservers" below to update your nameservers.

Note: updating your nameserver settings may take 24 to 48 hours and transferring a domain may take 7 to 10 days. For important information on these processes, visit our help pages for Adding a Domain and Transferring a Domain.

7) Test that your domain points to Sitelutions before canceling old hosting.

Testing Method: Create a test file named "migration_test.html" and upload it ONLY to your Sitelutions account. If you can access www.yourdomain.com/migration_test.html, your domain is pointing to Sitelutions.

Additional Tests: Check all website functionality, test email sending/receiving, verify SSL certificates, and test from multiple devices.

8) Configure email services and finalize migration.

Remember to re-configure mail services with your Sitelutions account – or set them up for the first time if you've never had e-mail through your domain. See here for help on Configuring Mail Services.

If you'd used web mail (instead of downloading mail to your own e-mail client) at your current host, you may also want to look through or save any e-mails stored on their servers before canceling your account with them. They may not be available once you cancel your account.

9) Once everything is verified working, it's safe to cancel your account with your current host and remove the test file.