Migration Checklist —
Move Without Losing Anything.
Moving to Hoststack? Follow this checklist in order and your site, database, email and DNS will transfer without a hitch. Or just WhatsApp us — we do it for free.
Don't want to do it yourself?
Our team migrates files, database, and email for free on all plans.
Complete Migration Checklist
Follow these steps in order. Skipping steps (especially lowering TTL) can cause extended downtime.
Before You Start
Do all of this at your current host before touching Hoststack.
Back up your entire site
Download a full cPanel backup or use your host's backup tool. Store a copy locally — not just in the cloud.
Export your database
In phpMyAdmin, select your database → Export → Quick → SQL format. Save the .sql file.
Note all email accounts
List every email address, along with any forwarders and autoresponders you've configured.
Document custom DNS records
Screenshot your current DNS zone. Note any SPF, DKIM, MX, TXT or CAA records.
Lower your DNS TTL to 300
Go to your domain registrar or current DNS and change the TTL on all A/CNAME records to 300 (5 minutes). Do this 24 hours before cutover so old TTL expires.
Set Up at Hoststack
Get your Hoststack account ready before uploading anything.
Order your Hoststack plan
Sign up at client.hoststack.pro and choose your hosting plan. Use code APEX20 for 20% off.
Create your hosting account
Set up cPanel/DirectAdmin account from the client area. Note your temporary IP.
Add your domain as an addon domain
In cPanel → Addon Domains, add your domain. This creates the folder structure.
Create a new database and user
In cPanel → MySQL Databases, create a new database and user with full permissions.
Migrate Files & Database
Transfer your actual content to the new server.
Upload your files
Use FileZilla (FTP/SFTP) or cPanel File Manager to upload your site files to the correct public_html folder.
Import your database
In cPanel → phpMyAdmin, select your new database and click Import. Upload your .sql file.
Update wp-config.php (WordPress)
Edit wp-config.php with the new database name, username and password you created at Hoststack.
Test Before DNS Cutover
Verify everything works on the new server BEFORE you change DNS.
Use the temporary URL
Hoststack provides a temporary preview URL (e.g. server123.hoststack.pro/~username). Test your site here.
Use your hosts file (advanced)
Add a line to your /etc/hosts (Mac/Linux) or C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts (Windows): 103.x.x.x yourdomain.com. This makes your browser use the new server while others still see the old one.
Test all key pages
Homepage, contact form, product pages, checkout, login. Click around for 10 minutes.
Test your contact form
Submit a test enquiry and verify it arrives at your email.
Migrate Email
Move your email accounts and existing emails.
Create email accounts on new server
In cPanel → Email Accounts, recreate all your email addresses with new passwords.
Copy emails via IMAP (if needed)
To move existing emails: configure your email client with both old and new IMAP servers. Drag emails from old → new inbox.
Or export and import mailboxes
Many cPanel setups support .mbox export. Contact us if you need help with large mailbox migration.
Update DNS
This is the moment of cutover. TTL should already be at 300 from Step 1.
Change nameservers OR update A record
Option A: Change nameservers at your registrar to Hoststack nameservers (provided in your client area). Option B: Update the A record at your current DNS to point to your Hoststack IP.
Update MX records
Set MX records to Hoststack's mail server (provided in cPanel). This routes email to your new mailboxes.
Add SPF and DKIM records
cPanel provides the SPF and DKIM TXT records needed for email deliverability. Add them at your DNS.
Wait for propagation
With TTL at 300, most users will see the new server within 10-30 minutes. Full global propagation takes up to 24-48 hours.
Post-Migration Checks
Verify everything after DNS has propagated.
Test all pages on live domain
Clear your browser cache and visit your site on the real domain. Check homepage, inner pages, images.
Test contact forms
Send a test form submission and verify delivery.
Check SSL certificate
Your AutoSSL should have installed automatically. Verify the padlock shows in your browser.
Send a test email
Send an email to and from your new email address. Verify delivery both ways.
Verify Google Search Console
Update your sitemap in Google Search Console if needed. Check for any crawl errors.
Cancel old hosting
Once you've confirmed everything is working (give it 48 hours), cancel your old host. Don't delete it yet — keep access for a week as a safety net.
Common Migration Mistakes to Avoid
Not lowering TTL before migration — results in 24-48 hours of downtime instead of 10-30 minutes.
Deleting the old hosting account immediately — if something goes wrong post-migration, you have no fallback.
Forgetting to migrate email accounts — email stops working when you change MX records without creating accounts on the new server.
Not updating wp-config.php database credentials — WordPress shows a 'Error establishing a database connection' error.
Skipping the pre-cutover test — find problems before your visitors do, not after.
We'll Handle the Migration for Free
If you'd rather not deal with FTP, phpMyAdmin and DNS records — that's exactly what our team is here for.
Free migration included on all hosting plans. WhatsApp us and we'll take care of everything.