Switching web hosts can feel intimidating — like moving houses but with your entire online presence at stake. Downtime, broken links, or lost data are every website owner’s nightmare.
The good news? With the right preparation, the right tools, and a reliable hosting provider, you can transfer your website without losing traffic or breaking your site.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Why you might need to switch hosting providers
- The step-by-step process to move your website
- Common mistakes to avoid during migration
- How to minimize downtime
- Why HostPawa is one of the best options for smooth website transfers in Nigeria
Why People Switch Hosting Providers
Before we get into the “how,” let’s understand the “why.” The most common reasons website owners decide to migrate include:
- Slow Loading Speed – Your visitors don’t have time for a site that takes 8 seconds to load.
- Poor Customer Support – When your site is down, waiting hours for help is unacceptable.
- Frequent Downtime – Even a few minutes of outage can mean lost sales or credibility.
- High Renewal Prices – Some hosts lure you in with cheap first-year rates, then increase costs drastically.
- Limited Features – You may outgrow your current host’s storage, bandwidth, or security offerings.
Example: A small business in Lagos might start with a cheap shared hosting plan, but as traffic grows, the need for better performance and support makes migration inevitable.
Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Your Website
Step 1: Choose Your New Hosting Provider
Your first decision is where to move your site. This choice determines how smooth your migration will be.
When picking your new host, look for:
- Free Migration Service – Some hosts handle the whole process for you.
- High Uptime Guarantee – Aim for at least 99.9%.
- Fast Servers – Preferably SSD-powered.
- Responsive Support – 24/7 availability is a must.
Pro Tip: If you want a hassle-free migration, HostPawa offers free professional website transfers, SSD-powered hosting, and 24/7 support, making it a top choice for Nigerian website owners.
Step 2: Back Up Your Website
Before making any changes, create a full backup of your site files and database.
Ways to back up:
- Using Your Current Host’s cPanel:
- Log into cPanel
- Click Backup Wizard
- Select Full Backup and download it
- Using a Plugin (For WordPress Sites):
- UpdraftPlus
- Duplicator
- All-in-One WP Migration
Always store backups off-site — on Google Drive, Dropbox, or an external hard drive.
Step 3: Download Your Website Files
If you’re migrating manually, connect via FTP using tools like FileZilla.
- Open FileZilla and connect with your FTP login credentials.
- Navigate to your website’s root directory (
public_htmlorwww). - Download all files to your local computer.
Step 4: Export Your Database
Most websites rely on databases to store content and settings.
If you’re on WordPress:
- Log into phpMyAdmin from your hosting control panel.
- Select your site’s database.
- Click Export → Quick → SQL format.
Step 5: Upload Files to the New Host
Once you’ve purchased your new hosting plan:
- Access your new host’s cPanel or FTP.
- Upload the files you downloaded earlier.
- If you’re on WordPress, also import your database via phpMyAdmin.
Note: If you choose HostPawa, you can skip these manual steps — their migration team will handle everything free of charge.
Step 6: Update Your DNS Settings
To point your domain to your new host:
- Log into your domain registrar account (e.g., Namecheap, GoDaddy, Whogohost).
- Find Nameserver Settings.
- Replace the old nameservers with the ones provided by your new host.
Example for HostPawa:
ns1.hostpawa.com ns2.hostpawa.com
DNS propagation may take 4–48 hours, but it’s often faster.
Step 7: Test Your Website
Before officially switching, test your site on the new server:
- Use a temporary URL provided by your host.
- Check all pages, forms, and media files.
- Test on both desktop and mobile.
Avoiding Downtime During Migration
- Transfer your site during low-traffic hours.
- Keep your old hosting account active until the migration is confirmed successful.
- Use a maintenance mode plugin for WordPress to notify visitors.
DIY vs Professional Migration
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| DIY Migration | Free, full control | Risk of mistakes, time-consuming |
| Professional Migration | Stress-free, handled by experts | May cost extra with some hosts |
HostPawa Advantage: Free expert migration with zero downtime.
Common Migration Mistakes to Avoid
- Not Backing Up First – This is the fastest way to lose data.
- Forgetting Email Accounts – If your old host manages your email, back them up too.
- Not Updating DNS Properly – One wrong character in a nameserver can break your site.
- Cancelling Old Hosting Too Soon – Wait until your site runs perfectly on the new host.
Post-Migration Checklist
- Test your site speed using GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights
- Confirm SSL (HTTPS) is working
- Check SEO settings and sitemaps
- Monitor site uptime with a tool like UptimeRobot
When Is the Best Time to Switch Hosts?
- When your current hosting plan is about to expire
- When you’re launching a major update and want a faster server
- During promotional periods (Black Friday, New Year) for discounts
Pro Tip: HostPawa regularly offers discounted migration plans, so you can switch without breaking the bank. See deals here.
Transferring your website to a new host doesn’t have to be stressful. By backing up your files, updating your DNS, and working with a reliable hosting provider, you can make the move seamless and risk-free.
If you want to avoid the technical steps altogether, HostPawa’s free migration service is a fast, safe, and cost-effective way to move your site with zero downtime.
Ready to switch? Start your free migration with HostPawa today.