Migrating a WordPress site looks straightforward until something goes sideways. Broken links, missing images, database encoding issues, email deliverability problems, SSL misconfigurations, DNS propagation delays. Each one can mean downtime, lost data, or both.
I’ve migrated hundreds of WordPress sites across every major hosting platform over the past 20 years. I handle the entire process and I do it with zero downtime.
Quote based on scope.
How It Works
Pre-Migration Assessment
I audit your current setup first. Hosting environment, server configuration, active plugins and themes, database size and structure, custom configurations, cron jobs, email routing, DNS records, third-party integrations. I want to know about any complications before they become problems.
Backup and Transfer
I create a complete, verified backup of your entire WordPress installation (files, database, media, configuration) and transfer it securely to the new environment. Nothing gets left behind.
Environment Configuration
The new hosting environment gets configured to match (or improve on) your current setup. PHP version and settings, server-level caching, SSL certificates, file permissions, email configuration, and any host-specific optimizations worth taking advantage of.
Testing and Verification
Before any DNS changes happen, I test the site in its new environment. Every page, form, and integration gets checked. Database integrity, media files, permalinks, performance. All verified.
DNS Cutover
I manage the DNS transition and time it to minimize propagation delays. Your old site stays live until the new one is fully serving traffic. Zero downtime.
Post-Migration Monitoring
After the cutover, I keep an eye on the new environment for issues that only surface under live traffic. I stay available for any post-migration questions and adjustments.
Common Migration Scenarios
Switching hosting providers. Moving between managed platforms (WP Engine to Kinsta, for example), upgrading from shared hosting to a VPS, or any other provider change. I was employee #5 at WP Engine and have worked at DreamHost and Liquid Web, so I know the ins and outs of most major WordPress hosts.
Outgrowing your current host. Traffic has grown beyond what your hosting can handle. I help identify the right new environment and migrate you there.
Consolidating multiple sites. Moving several WordPress sites onto a single hosting account or multisite network. Takes careful planning to avoid conflicts, and I’ve done it many times.
Leaving a website builder. Moving from Squarespace, Wix, or another platform to WordPress involves content migration, URL structure planning, and redirect mapping to preserve SEO.
Migrating away from a developer or agency. Your previous developer managed your hosting and you need to take control of your own infrastructure. I can coordinate access handoffs and get everything moved cleanly.
Why Migrations Go Wrong
Email gets overlooked. DNS changes affect MX records, SPF records, and DKIM configuration. Many migrations break email deliverability because nobody thought about it until the emails stopped arriving.
SEO takes a hit. Incorrect redirects, changed URL structures, missing meta data, or brief downtime can all cause ranking drops that take months to recover from.
The small stuff compounds. Cron jobs that stop running. Hardcoded URLs in the database. Serialized data that breaks when domains change. Plugin license keys tied to specific domains. Each one is minor on its own. All of them together make for a rough week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a migration take?
Most complete within a week from start to finish, including testing. Actual downtime is zero.
Will my search rankings be affected?
If the migration is handled correctly, no. I preserve URL structures (or set up proper redirects), transfer meta data cleanly, and make sure there’s no downtime gap for search engines to notice.
Can you migrate a WooCommerce store?
Yes. WooCommerce migrations need extra care around order data, customer accounts, product configurations, and payment gateway settings. I’ve done many of these.
What if I’m not sure which host to move to?
I can recommend hosting providers based on your site’s needs, traffic patterns, and budget. I don’t have affiliate relationships with any hosting companies, so my recommendations are based on what I think actually fits.
Do you handle domain transfers?
I can advise on domain transfers and coordinate timing with the migration. I generally recommend folks maintain direct ownership of their domain registrations.