How to Migrate Your Web Hosting Without Losing SEO or Your Sanity ?

Dec 11, 2025

Website migration is an awful task because it comes with the stress of unexpected downtimes, slow website speed, and losing search engine ranks. All such fears stop website owners from switching web hosting. But reality is different. Web hosting migration improves the website speed and performance, enhances the site security, and positively influences the search engine optimization (SEO).

In this article, you will learn how to migrate your website without losing sanity, SEO, or website traffic. Follow the step-by-step guidelines and migrate to new web hosting without losing your sanity.

STEP 1: Prerequisites of Migration

Initially, you must audit your website. It is good to document all the URLs, meta tags, internal links, page speed, website structure, plugins, themes, and custom scripts. Afterwards, you have to back up your entire website. Create complete backup folders, databases, and email accounts. It is recommended to save this folder at two different locations.

Now, it’s time to choose a reliable hosting company such as Server Sea Hosting. Always choose a web host that offers fast performance, high uptime, local servers, easy and reliable migration services, with 24/7 customer support.

STEP 2: Time for migration

Once you choose a suitable host, it’s time to set up the new server. You have to create a database, install the CMS, and set up the extensions needed. Afterward, upload the files and import the databases. You can easily transfer your files at cPanel > File Manager and use a migration plugin. Before going live, it is better to check the site properly, such as broken links, page speed, mobile responsiveness, layouts, pages, images, etc. The web host will provide a temporary URL that will be helpful to test your site. If any issue exists, it is recommended to fix them before updating the DNS.

STEP 3: Switch DNS, No Harm to SEO

A day before migration, lower the TTL to 300 seconds a day; this will increase the DNS propagation speed. Now update the DNS record, and it might take 1-12 hours depending on the website content. Herein, it is good to keep the old hosting for 2-3 days and ensure that no visitors are landing on the offline site. It is a good practice not to lose customers, specifically on e-commerce websites.

STEP 4: Post Migration Checks

Many websites lose search engine ranks after a web host migration. To avoid that experience, it is recommended to check 404 errors, search for and check for broken links, and fix them immediately. In addition, if any URLs are changed, then use 301 redirects to secure backlinks and preserve ranking. Also, upload a fresh sitemap to Google Search Console. It is also good to check the website speed; you may also compare it with the pre-migration page speed report. Moreover, monitor the ranking and traffic for one week; little fluctuations should be neglected for a few days, and if they persist, contact the web hosting provider to assist.

Things to Keep in Mind

Apart from this, some things should be kept in mind during migration.

• The stage site should be used before going live
• Low traffic hours should be selected for migration
• Do not change website designs during migration
• Cross-check SSL installation
• Verify email sending and receiving after migration
• Inform your team about the migration and timelines
• Don’t forget to back up your site
• Avoid changing URLs unnecessarily
• Don’t miss redirects
• Always test your site before DNS updates
• Regularly check the website speed and performance after migration

Final Words

Preparing a checklist of things to do during migration and working with your team will help you to smoothly migrate your website. Good Luck!