A short planning step before migration prevents lost data and surprise downtime. Use this checklist to gather everything you need before moving a single file.
Back Up Everything
- Download a full copy of your website files over FTP or from the File Manager.
- Export every MySQL database through phpMyAdmin.
- Save copies of any email you cannot afford to lose, especially on IMAP accounts.
Document Your Current Setup
Record details you will need to recreate the site on the new server:
- PHP version your site currently runs on.
- List of databases and their users.
- Email accounts and any forwarders or autoresponders.
- Cron jobs and their schedules.
- Custom DNS records such as MX, SPF, and DKIM.
Check Compatibility
| Item | Why it matters | |------|----------------| | PHP version | Older code may break on a newer version | | Disk usage | New plan must fit your current size | | Extensions | Some apps need specific PHP modules |
Plan the DNS Switch
- Note your current TTL and lower it a day or two before cutover.
- Confirm where your domain is registered and that you can edit nameservers.
- Have the new nameservers ready: ns1.nairohost.site and ns2.nairohost.site.
Final Pre-Flight
- Tell stakeholders when the switch will happen.
- Schedule the cutover for a low-traffic period.
- Keep the old hosting active until the new site is fully verified.
Working through this list first means the actual migration becomes a copy-and-verify task rather than a scramble to recover missing pieces.