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How to avoid downtime when moving providers

Dos and don'ts for a smooth move, whether we migrate for you or you do it yourself.

1 min read Updated

Do

  • Set up the new service first. Create mailboxes and upload the website before you change any DNS.
  • Pick a quiet time for the switch, such as an evening or a weekend.
  • Lower the DNS TTL (time-to-live) to 300 seconds a day before, if you can, so changes spread faster.
  • Keep the old service running for at least a week after the switch.
  • Tell your team when the switch is happening and what changes for them.

Don’t

  • Don’t cancel your old hosting or email before everything is confirmed working.
  • Don’t change nameservers without first copying all your existing DNS records (especially MX and TXT) to the new provider.
  • Don’t let your domain expire mid-move. Check the expiry date first. A transfer often includes a year’s renewal.
  • Don’t start a domain transfer if the registrant email no longer works. Fix the contact details first.

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