How to Migrate Your Domain to a New Hosting Provider Without Downtime

If you’ve ever thought about moving your website to a new hosting provider, you’ve probably heard horror stories: websites disappearing, emails going missing, or worse—the dreaded downtime that leaves your visitors staring at a blank page and your business in panic mode.

Let me tell you, I’ve been there.

Years ago, I tried to switch my hosting without much planning. What I thought would be a simple two-hour task turned into three days of pure chaos—my site was down, my emails weren’t coming through, and I lost more than just traffic. I lost trust.

But here’s the good news: migrating your domain and website to a new host doesn’t have to be a nightmare. In fact, if you do it right, your visitors won’t even notice you moved. You’ll just be faster, smoother, and better off for it.

And for those of us in Nigeria, where internet stability is already shaky and customer trust is hard-won, doing it right the first time matters more than ever.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to move your domain and website without downtime, and without data loss, whether you’re switching to telaHosting or any other reliable provider.

Understanding Domain and Hosting: What’s the Difference?

Before we jump into the process, let’s clear something up real quick. Many people confuse domain names with web hosting, but they’re two different things:

Domain Name

A domain name is the URL people type into their browser to find your website. It’s what your customers remember, what goes on your business card, and what your Instagram bio links to. For example: www.yoursite.ng. It’s essentially your digital address which is your unique identity on the internet.

But just like knowing someone’s address doesn’t mean you can walk into their house, having a domain doesn’t mean your site is “live.” The domain needs to be connected to a hosting server where your content actually lives.

How Do Domain Names Work?

Every website on the internet has a special number called an IP address. That’s what computers use to find websites. It’s like a home address—but made of numbers. Example of an IP address: 196.25.180.112

Now imagine having to remember numbers like that just to visit Facebook or Jumia. Stress, right?

This is why domain names exist. Instead of typing that long string of numbers, you just type www.jumia.com.ng. Easy!

Your domain name is mapped to your website’s hosting space using something called DNS (Domain Name System). DNS is like a phonebook that matches names to numbers. When someone types your domain into a browser, DNS finds the correct IP address and loads your website.

That’s it. Behind the scenes, a lot happens, but all you need to remember is: Domain name = easy-to-remember name for your website.

Web Hosting

Web hosting is the service that stores all the files, images, text, code, videos, and emails that make up your website. When someone types your domain name into their browser, your hosting server delivers your website to their screen which is almost like flipping on a light switch.

It’s where your site lives, sleeps, and breathes. Imagine your domain name is the address on a street. Web hosting is the building at that address. Without the building, all you’ve got is an empty plot of land with a fancy signboard. No one can enter. No one can shop, read your blog, or send you a message.

Your website won’t function unless it’s hosted somewhere. So, when you buy a hosting plan let’s say, from telaHosting, then, you’re not just buying space. You’re buying:

• Storage for your files and emails

• Bandwidth (like internet electricity) so users can load your content

• Security to protect your site from hackers

• Support to help you when things go wrong

• Uptime guarantees to keep your site live around the clock

It’s like paying rent for a clean, secure apartment where your business can thrive. And guess what? The quality of that space matters.

Cheap or unreliable hosting = constant outages, slow loading, missing emails. But good hosting = a fast, safe, and always-on experience for your visitors. That’s why smart businesses in Nigeria are switching to telaHosting—where you get local speed, real support, and solid performance without the stress.

Why Migrate in the First Place?

If your current hosting is working fine, you might wonder, “Why bother moving at all?” Great question. But here’s the thing—sometimes the signs that it’s time to switch are subtle until they become urgent.

Here are some of the top reasons people migrate:

• Slow website speed (especially frustrating for Nigerian users on mobile data)
• Frequent downtimes or “site not available” messages
• Poor customer support (waiting hours for a reply that never comes)
• Pricing issues (hidden fees or costly renewals)
• DNS errors and SEO drops
• Limited email features or lack of security

If any of these sound familiar, migrating might not just be a good idea—it might be necessary.

It’s like moving your business to a better location without changing your name or brand. Your customers still find you at the same address—they just enjoy a better experience when they get there.

But to make that transition smooth (and invisible to your audience), you need to handle it carefully. That’s why proper migration planning is essential.

When you migrate to a new hosting provider, your domain name can stay the same, you’re just moving your files, emails, and website structure to a new, (hopefully better) building.

That’s why it’s totally possible to keep your domain while switching to a new host. You just have to handle it carefully to avoid any interruptions. And when you do decide to move, doing it without downtime is crucial. That’s where proper planning comes in.

Pre-Migration Checklist: What to Do Before You Begin

Migration is not the kind of thing you want to do impulsively. The key to a smooth switch is preparation. Before you even touch your domain settings, do these three things:

1. Backup Everything

Don’t take chances here. Even if your current host promises “nothing will be lost,” always create your own backup:

• Website files (HTML, CSS, JS, PHP, etc.)
• Databases (especially if you use WordPress or another CMS)
• Email data (if your current host handles your email)
• SSL certificates (if you already have one installed)

Use cPanel, FTP, or a backup plugin—whatever you’re comfortable with.

2. Audit Your Domain and DNS Settings

Write down or take screenshots of:

• Nameservers currently in use
• TTL (Time to Live) values
• A, MX, and CNAME records

These will come in handy when replicating your DNS setup on the new host.

3. Confirm New Hosting Details

Make sure your new host is ready to receive your site:

• Have your login credentials handy
• Confirm control panel access
• Make sure you know the file upload methods (FTP, SFTP, file manager)
• Check PHP and database compatibility if you’re using a CMS

With all this set up, you’re ready to move without causing chaos.

The Migration Process Explained Step-by-Step

Alright, this is the part you’ve been waiting for—the actual moving process. And don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it like we’re moving houses together. Grab your digital boxes and let’s go!

Step 1: Point Your Domain to the New Host

Here’s a sneaky little trick many people skip: lower your TTL (Time To Live) before you start. TTL is the amount of time your DNS records stay cached on users’ browsers and devices.

If it’s set too high let’s say, 24 hours, any changes you make later (like pointing to the new host) can take forever to go live. But if you lower your TTL to 300 seconds (5 minutes) a day or two before the move, your switch will happen much faster and more smoothly.

Think of it like preheating your oven. It’s a small step, but it sets the stage for everything else to work perfectly. Don’t change nameservers yet—just prep your DNS to move fast when it’s time.

Step 2: Move Website Files and Databases

Now it’s time to copy your entire site from the old host to the new one and you have two options:

• Manual Transfer (Techy Route):
  Download all your files via FTP (FileZilla is great), export your database using phpMyAdmin, then upload both to the new host and import your database there.
• One-Click Migration Tools (Easy Route):
  Some hosts (like telaHosting) offer free migration tools or do it for you. If you’re using WordPress, plugins like All-in-One WP Migration or Duplicator are perfect.

Once everything is uploaded, double-check that:

• Your database connection is configured correctly in wp-config.php or other config files
• File permissions are intact
• URLs and links still work

Step 3: Create and Configure Emails

One of the most overlooked parts of a migration is email continuity. If your emails are tied to your domain (like [email protected]), you need to make sure you set those up on your new host before switching DNS.

Steps to follow:

• Create the same email addresses on the new host
• If possible, export old emails via IMAP or POP
• Set up MX records and email routing to match your previous settings

Bonus tip: Test sending and receiving emails from the new host using webmail or an email client before updating anything publicly.

Step 4: Test the Website on the New Server

Before you switch DNS and make the new host live, you want to test the website privately to ensure everything is working.

You can do this using your hosts file. It’s a file on your computer that tells your browser where to find websites—allowing you to view the new site at your domain without making it live for everyone else.

This lets you:

• Click through every page
• Test forms and checkout systems
• Ensure everything is smooth and bug-free

If it’s all looking good, it’s time for the final step!

Step 5: Update Domain Nameservers

Now the moment of truth: pointing your domain to the new hosting provider.

Log in to your domain registrar (where you bought the domain—like telaHosting etc.) and update your nameservers to the ones provided by your new host.

Example:

Once you update the nameservers, DNS propagation begins. Thanks to that TTL tweak we made earlier, this step should only take a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Boom! Your site is now live on the new host—with zero downtime, no broken links, and your emails still intact.

Keeping Your SEO and Emails Intact During Migration

If SEO matters to you (and it should), you’ll want to avoid any changes that confuse Google or your users. Here’s how to keep your rankings and email flows rock-solid.

Use 301 Redirects (If URL Paths Change)

If your website’s structure stays exactly the same, you don’t need to do anything. But if any URLs are changing (e.g., from /blog-post to /articles/blog-post), set up 301 redirects so Google and visitors can find the new pages.

This keeps your link juice flowing and avoids 404 errors that hurt your ranking.

Set Up SPF, DKIM, and MX Records

Setting up SPF, DKIM and MX records make sure your emails:

• Don’t go to spam
• Can be verified as sent from your domain
• Continue to work after migration

Use your new host’s documentation to add these records to your DNS settings after the switch. If you’re on telaHosting, we’ll help you configure them properly—even if you’re not sure what they are.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Here’s a quick cheat sheet of the most common migration mistakes and how to avoid them.

Migrating your domain and hosting can sound stressful. Between the backups, the DNS records, the emails, and the possibility of downtime, it’s enough to make you delay the process forever. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to do it alone.

At telaHosting, we’ve helped countless Nigerian businesses and creatives move their websites safely, smoothly, and without disruption. We know the terrain. We understand the quirks of Nigerian internet providers. And we’re obsessed with one thing: making your digital life easier.

Here’s why we are your best bet when it comes to domain migration, especially if you want it to happen without any headaches.

Free Website Transfer for New Clients

Yes, you read that right. If you’re switching from another host to telaHosting, we’ll handle the entire migration for you—for free. That includes:

• Backing up your files and database
• Moving your site to our optimized servers
• Reconfiguring your DNS
• Testing everything before the switch

You don’t need to touch a single line of code. Just sit back, sip your Zobo, and we’ll do the heavy lifting.

Local Nigerian Support

Have you ever submitted a support ticket and waited 48 hours for a response… only to get a generic reply that solves nothing?

Yeah, we hate that too. That’s why our support team are here in Nigeria. Real people who understand your business, your audience, and your infrastructure. Whether it’s NEPA wahala or ISPs acting up, we get it and we’re here when you need us, via phone, chat, or email.

DNS Optimization for Speed and Reliability

A lot of downtime during migration happens because of poor DNS handling. Our system is designed to:

• Lower TTL automatically before the switch
• Use failover and redundant DNS servers
• Test for DNS propagation in real time

That means your site stays online, loads fast, and ranks better on Google, even during a major move.

So whether you’re migrating a personal blog, a full-blown e-commerce store, or a government agency portal, telaHosting has your back.

Conclusion

Migrating your domain to a new hosting provider doesn’t have to be scary—or messy. With the right steps, a solid plan, and the right hosting partner, you can:

• Avoid downtime
• Keep your emails running
• Maintain your SEO rankings
• Improve your website’s speed and stability

Whether you’re upgrading to better support, escaping slow load times, or finally moving on from an unreliable host, one thing is clear: you deserve better. And better starts with telaHosting.

• Ready to move your website without the drama?
• Want real humans to walk you through every step—without charging a fortune?

Switch to telaHosting today. We’ll migrate your domain, optimize your DNS, preserve your SEO, and get you up and running with zero downtime. Let’s build a faster, safer, and more reliable online home for your brand—together.

FAQ

1. Will my website go offline during migration?

Not if you follow the proper steps—or let us handle it. Downtime usually happens when people switch nameservers before testing the new site. By copying your site, testing it, and only then pointing the domain, you can avoid any interruption.

2. Can I move my emails too?

Absolutely. We help you migrate your emails alongside your website. We’ll recreate your email accounts on the new server and configure MX, SPF, and DKIM records to keep everything running smoothly

3. Do I need to change my domain name?

Nope. Your domain name can stay exactly the same. You’re just changing where it’s hosted, not what it’s called.

4. How long does a domain migration take?

With telaHosting’s help, the entire process can be done in a few hours, depending on the size of your website. DNS propagation usually takes 1–2 hours if you’ve adjusted the TTL ahead of time.

5. Is domain transfer the same as website transfer?

Not quite. Domain transfer means moving your domain registration to another registrar. Website transfer means moving your website files and hosting. You can do one without the other—but doing both together is ideal if you’re switching everything over to a new host.