Base de Conhecimento

Moving your website to a new host can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. At HostedLight, we aim to make the transition as smooth as possible. This article will guide you through migrating your website to HostedLight using cPanel, a common control panel used by many hosting providers. This method is generally the easiest if your current host also uses cPanel.

Before You Begin:

• Backup Your Website: This is the most crucial step. Before making any changes, create a full backup of your website, including all files, databases, and emails. Your current hosting provider should have tools for this.
• HostedLight Account: Ensure you have an active HostedLight hosting account.
• cPanel Access: You'll need access to both your current hosting provider's cPanel and your new HostedLight cPanel.
• FTP Credentials (Optional but Recommended): While not strictly necessary for this method, having your FTP credentials handy can be useful for troubleshooting or if you prefer to transfer files via FTP.

Steps to Migrate Your Website:

1. Backup Your Website via cPanel: Log in to your current hosting provider's cPanel. Look for a "Backup" or "Backup Wizard" option (the name might vary slightly). Create a full website backup. This usually creates a compressed file (like a .zip or .tar.gz file) containing all your website's data.

2. Download the Backup: Once the backup is complete, download the backup file to your local computer. This might take some time depending on the size of your website.

3. Log in to HostedLight cPanel: Log in to your HostedLight cPanel.

4. Upload the Backup: In your HostedLight cPanel, find the "Files" section and click on "File Manager." Navigate to the public_html directory (this is usually the root directory for your website). Upload the backup file you downloaded earlier to this directory.

5. Extract the Backup: Once the upload is complete, right-click on the backup file in the File Manager and select "Extract." This will unpack the backup file and restore your website files to the public_html directory.

6. Restore the Database: In your HostedLight cPanel, find the "Databases" section and click on "phpMyAdmin." If you haven't already, create a new database and a database user with appropriate permissions. Then, import the database backup from your original website (which was included in your full website backup) into this new database using phpMyAdmin.

7. Edit the Configuration File: Your website's configuration file (usually named wp-config.php for WordPress, or similar for other CMSs) will contain database connection details. Edit this file (using the File Manager in cPanel) and update the database name, username, and password to match the database you created on HostedLight.

8. Update DNS Records: This is the crucial step that switches your website over to HostedLight. Log in to your domain registrar's control panel (this is where you bought your domain name, it might not be HostedLight if you bought the domain elsewhere). Find the DNS settings for your domain and update the A record to point to the IP address of your HostedLight server. You can find this IP address in your HostedLight welcome email or in your cPanel dashboard. If you are using nameservers, you will need to update them at your registrar to the HostedLight nameservers.

9. Wait for DNS Propagation: DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours (or, rarely, even longer) to propagate across the internet. During this time, some visitors might see your old website, while others will see the new one on HostedLight.

10. Test Your Website: Once DNS propagation is complete (or mostly complete), test your website thoroughly to ensure everything is working correctly. Check all pages, links, forms, and functionalities.

Important Considerations:

• Downtime: There will be some downtime during the migration process, especially when you switch the DNS records. Try to schedule the migration during a period of low traffic.
• File Permissions: After extracting the backup, ensure the file permissions are correct. Incorrect permissions can cause issues with your website. Your hosting provider's documentation or support can help you with this.
• Email Migration: If you are also migrating email accounts, this is a separate process. Contact HostedLight support for assistance with email migration.

Need Help?

Migrating a website can be technically challenging. If you're not comfortable with any of these steps, don't hesitate to contact HostedLight's support team. We're here to help you through the process and ensure a smooth transition to our hosting platform.

Ready to move your website to HostedLight?

We're confident you'll be happy with our hosting services.

Sign up for a HostedLight account today and let us help you migrate your website! Visit HostedLight.com to choose the perfect plan for your needs.