Switching Providers
Moving a website, a mailbox or a whole cloud estate without breaking anything.
How switching providers works
Plan it, copy it, test it, switch.
Most migrations fail in the same way: the DNS is changed before the destination is ready. Move in the opposite order — copy everything, test it in place, then re-point the domain — and a website move takes a day with no downtime, while an email move takes a few days and no lost mail. The risk is almost entirely in the sequencing.
These guides cover the three moves businesses actually make: a website to a new host, mailboxes to a new email provider, and workloads to a different cloud. The principles overlap, but the failure modes do not, so they are grouped separately below.
Switching providers does not have to mean downtime or lost email. The safest way to handle switching providers is to treat it as a short project with a clear order of work: list what you have, copy it to the new home, test it there, and only then point your domain at the new service.
This page covers the three moves we see most often: website migration, email migration and moving workloads to the cloud. Each has its own risks. A website migration mostly involves files, databases and DNS. An email migration also involves mailboxes, folders, calendars and the settings on every phone and laptop. Cloud moves add identity, access and cost planning.
Before switching providers, take an inventory of domains, mailboxes, scheduled jobs and logins. Turn on multi-factor sign-in for every account involved, and the CISA guide to multi-factor authentication is a good place to start. If your site runs on WordPress, our guide to migrating WordPress yourself or hiring help can help you decide how much to take on.
Whether you are planning a website migration or an email migration, switching providers goes better when one person owns the checklist. Use the guides below to plan each step and avoid the common mistakes.
Start here
The four questions that come up before every migration we are asked about.
- Website Migration Checklist: What to Do Before, During and After Switching Hosts
A step-by-step checklist covering what to do before, during and after the move. - How to Move Your Website to a New Host Without Losing Your Rankings
How to move hosts without losing search rankings, and which mistakes actually cost positions. - What Does Email Migration Mean? A Plain Guide for Business Owners
What email migration involves in plain terms, and why it takes longer than a website move. - How Much Does Email Migration Cost for a Small Business?
What email migration costs for a small business, and what should be included in the price.
Moving a website
The mechanics of a site move, including doing it without downtime and deciding whether to do it yourself.
Moving to the cloud
Larger moves, where the planning matters more than the copying.
Where LiberationTek fits
LiberationTek includes migration with hosting and email plans rather than charging for it separately. We copy the site or mailboxes, test everything on our side, and only then ask you to change DNS.
Frequently asked questions
Will moving hosts hurt my search rankings?
Not if the URLs stay identical and the site is reachable throughout. Rankings fall when a migration changes URL structure, drops pages, or leaves the site down for hours. Copy, test, then re-point DNS, and keep every URL the same.
How long does a website migration take?
A day of work plus up to 48 hours for DNS to propagate worldwide. Visitors see whichever server their resolver knows about, which is why both must be live during the changeover rather than one being switched off.
Will I lose email during a migration?
You should not. Mailboxes are copied while the old provider still receives mail, then MX records are changed, then a final sync catches anything that arrived in between. Mail is only lost when that final sync is skipped.
Should I migrate myself or pay someone?
If the site is a straightforward brochure site on common software, doing it yourself is realistic. Databases, ecommerce and anything with live transactions are worth handing over, because the cost of a bad cutover is measured in orders rather than hours.
What does a migration cost?
It varies from included to several hundred dollars depending on complexity and provider. Ask whether it is included before comparing monthly prices, because a cheaper plan with a paid migration is frequently the more expensive option in year one.
Thinking about moving?
Tell us what you are running and where it lives now. We will tell you what the move involves and how long it takes before you commit to anything.
Custom Solutions
Take your business to the next level with Liberation's full suite of services & solutions.
Custom Management
Don’t like managing? We offer managed services for hosting, ecommerce, web sites, and more.
Our Promise Of Digital Independence
Liberating Your Digital World Is Our Passion
- U.S.A. owned and based
- We own and control our entire platform
- More security to protect your data
- No Censorship Guarantee
- 100% data ownership
- Your data is NEVER shared
Global Edge Network
Liberation’s global edge network provides enhanced performance & security.
Freedom Tech News
Stay informed on the latest tech news, new products, promotions, & more!
