Website migration comes with too many changes and is not a simple update. It also involves many potential risks that may affect the structure, design and content of the website. At times, it can affect your website traffic.
Most businesses undergo the process of website migration for expansion. It could be moving to a new host, changing domain names or changing the website URLs. It could also be moving from an HTTP website to an HTTPS.
But, the most common migration process is changing the hosting provider. Then again, there are various reasons why a person might consider migrating to a new host.
The most common reason is the availability of a better web hosting plan. If a new host provides better web hosting features and prices, then migration is the best option. Read this HostGator review to know about the web hosting plans offered by HostGator.
The reasons could be many, but the way you do it matters the most as one wrong move, and your site’s traffic and ranking may get impacted.
What Tasks Should You Consider When Migrating Your Website to a New Host?
Migrating a website involves a lot of risks and is a challenging process for non-technical users. Not only website traffic, but you could also lose your ranking in SERP if there are any issues during the migration process. Loss of data is also a high probability. If you choose a reliable web hosting provider, you could easily complete the migration process with zero downtime. However, before you begin the migration process, there are a few tasks that you need to do, and to know what these are, read this blog!
To purchase web hosting, use these HostGator Coupons.
Contents
- What Tasks Should You Consider When Migrating Your Website to a New Host?
- Important Tasks To Do While Migrating Website to a New Host
- 1. Create a Data Backup
- 2. Calculate Risks and Prepare in Advance
- 3. Take Stock of Database Files
- 4. Transfer of the Domain Name
- 5. Remove Broken Links and Related Errors
- 6. Setup a Robots.Txt File
- 7. Pay Attention to the URL Structure
- In Closing,
Important Tasks To Do While Migrating Website to a New Host
1. Create a Data Backup
Before migrating to a new host, create a data backup. You’ll be able to download the data as a local copy and store it in your system. Another feasible option is to take a backup of your website on a Cloud Server of Google or the drive you use.
If anything goes wrong with migration or there is a technical error, you know you can use your backup. Having a backup will also help you restore your website to its previous state within minutes.
2. Calculate Risks and Prepare in Advance
When you finally decide that you want to migrate your website to a new host, you need to calculate the possible risks involved in the process.
It is highly recommended to always have a backup plan for any unexpected situation coming your way. You should start by making a list of all the possible errors that can hinder your process of migration. It includes loss of critical data, fall in SEO ranking, and a threat to traffic.
When you prep in advance, you minimize the risks. So, always have a ready plan at hand if things don’t work out at the end.
3. Take Stock of Database Files
Before the migration process begins, you will need to transfer the database and other web files to the new host. For this, you will have to import all database files to a new web hosting account.
All files related to your website can be uploaded with the help of FTP into the public HTML directory. It might take time, but it is an important step.
Note, if you’re using various plugins for migrating different databases and web files, some may not cater to media files and images.
For transferring media files, you will have to use different tools. You also have the option of downloading these files separately and then uploading them to your new web server.
4. Transfer of the Domain Name
Transfer of domain can help make the task of migration easier. After you move your web host, you have two options; you can either continue using the domain name or transfer your domain name to the new web host.
The latter option will require you to switch to added DNS, so you’ll be able to continue with the new web host. The former option will require you to make a switch from the domain name registrar so that there is no change in your website’s settings.
Learn more about domain and register/transfer domain name with HostGator domain coupons.
5. Remove Broken Links and Related Errors
When you migrate to a new web host, you need to ensure that the data is not lost in the process. You also need to safeguard the domain authority that you have gained over the years.
Thus, before you start with migration, it is essential to conduct a site audit and remove all broken links or errors as transferring broken links to your new web host may affect your website’s performance.
Use this free tool – Dead Link Checker – to check for broken links on your website
6. Setup a Robots.Txt File
Setting up a robots.txt file is essential for website migration to a new web host.
If the website is being migrated to a new web host with a similar URL, then you don’t need to change the robots.txt file.
But, if your website is being transferred or migrated to a new URL along with the latest web host, then you’ll have to set up a separate file since the older robots.txt file may block all the redirects in the system.
7. Pay Attention to the URL Structure
A new URL structure may hamper your SEO activities, so you need to take care of it. It is recommended to update your internal links after you have completed the process of migration. Also, ensure that there are not too many redirects on your website as that can slow down the server, affecting SEO and resulting in a negative user experience.
In Closing,
Before you start with the migration process, inform your users that you are moving your website. Even if you follow all instructions, you still need to be prepared for minor glitches.
Create a test sample of a new site and don’t migrate the whole website at once. Migrate your site when there is slow traffic for the best results. Also, it is ideal to plan, test, and make a checklist for a smooth migration process.
As always, use HostGator hosting coupons if you want to buy web hosting at an economical price.
Leave a Reply