Website Migration Services

Technical Implementation

Professional website migration implements comprehensive pre-migration auditing with complete site inventory including file counts, database tables, email accounts, and third-party integrations. DNS TTL reduction to 300 seconds occurs 48-72 hours before migration to minimize propagation delays during cutover. Complete backup creation uses rsync for file systems, mysqldump or pg_dump for database exports with compression, and IMAP sync for email accounts maintaining folder structures and read/unread states.

Staging environment deployment replicates production configuration on destination infrastructure with identical PHP versions, server software, and extension availability. Database migration includes character set and collation verification, table structure comparison using schema diff tools, foreign key constraint validation, and index optimization for new database engine. Application-specific migrations handle WordPress wp_options table URL replacements with serialized data integrity checks, WooCommerce order and customer data verification, and plugin compatibility testing with fallback strategies for incompatible extensions.

SSL certificate provisioning includes Let's Encrypt automated certificate generation with ACME protocol, commercial certificate CSR generation and installation, wildcard certificate configuration for subdomain coverage, and certificate chain validation with intermediate certificate verification. DNS cutover strategy implements staged migration with hosts file testing, A record and CNAME updates with low TTL values, MX record migration for email continuity, and SPF/DKIM/DMARC record transfer maintaining email deliverability and authentication.

SEO preservation requires comprehensive 301 redirect mapping for all indexed URLs, XML sitemap regeneration and Search Console resubmission, robots.txt verification for crawler access, canonical URL validation across all pages, and Google Analytics tracking code verification with goal and conversion tracking continuity. Post-migration monitoring includes uptime verification with 1-minute intervals, performance benchmarking comparing pre and post-migration metrics, broken link detection with automated crawling, Search Console error monitoring for crawl errors and server errors, and traffic analytics comparison detecting ranking or visibility drops requiring immediate remediation.

How much does website migration cost?

Migration starts at $497 for our Launch package (simple sites up to 5GB). Growth tier is $997 (medium sites up to 20GB), Professional is $2,497 (large sites up to 100GB with e-commerce), and Enterprise is $5,997 (complex sites over 100GB with custom features).

Will my website go down during migration?

No! We perform zero-downtime migrations. Your site stays live on the old host while we set up and test everything on the new host. Only after everything works perfectly do we switch DNS. The switch takes minutes and your site stays accessible throughout.

How long does website migration take?

Most migrations complete in 3-7 days. Simple sites take 2-3 days, medium sites 3-5 days, large sites 5-7 days, and complex sites 7-14 days. Timeline depends on site size, complexity, and coordination with hosting providers.

Will I lose my Google rankings during migration?

No! We implement proper 301 redirects so Google knows your pages moved. We also update your XML sitemap, verify Search Console settings, and monitor rankings after migration. When done correctly, migration doesn't hurt SEO - it can actually improve rankings if you're moving to faster hosting.

Can you migrate my email accounts too?

Yes! Email migration is included in all packages. We transfer all email accounts, messages, folders, contacts, and settings. Your email keeps working throughout the migration with no interruption. MX records get updated properly so mail delivery continues seamlessly.

What if something goes wrong during migration?

We create complete backups before starting and have rollback plans ready. If anything goes wrong, we can instantly switch back to your old host while we fix the issue. That's why we test everything in staging before going live. Migration failures are extremely rare with proper planning.

Can you migrate from any platform to any platform?

Yes! We migrate between WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, Joomla, Drupal, custom PHP/Python/Node.js sites, and more. Platform-to-platform migrations require content restructuring and template rebuilding, which is included in Professional and Enterprise tiers.

Do I need to do anything during the migration?

Very little! We need access credentials for your current host and new host, domain registrar access for DNS changes, and your approval before we make the final switch. Otherwise, we handle everything. You can keep running your business while we work behind the scenes.

Will you help me choose a new hosting provider?

Absolutely! We have experience with all major hosting providers and can recommend the best option for your needs and budget. We consider factors like performance, support quality, pricing, and technical requirements. No affiliate bias - just honest recommendations.

What happens to my old hosting after migration?

We recommend keeping your old hosting active for 30 days as a safety backup. After verifying everything works perfectly on the new host, you can cancel the old hosting. We help coordinate the cancellation timing to avoid losing data or paying for unnecessary months.

Can you migrate an e-commerce site without losing orders?

Yes! E-commerce migrations are more complex but we handle them regularly. We migrate all products, orders, customers, payment gateway configurations, and shipping settings. We schedule migrations during low-traffic periods and synchronize any orders placed during the cutover window.

Do you serve clients outside Michigan?

Yes! While we're based in Michigan and proudly serve Birmingham, Livonia, Northville, Detroit, Ann Arbor, and the entire state, we work with clients across the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. All services available remotely.