To migrate a website, we need access to your domain and DNS, the current hosting environment, the website’s files and database, and any connected services like email, SSL, forms, and analytics.
In practice, most delays happen when one of these is missing: the domain login (so DNS can’t be updated), the database (so content and settings can’t be copied), or details for email and third-party tools (so forms, bookings, or messages stop working). If you’re moving a WordPress site, we also need WordPress admin access and any premium plugin or theme license keys tied to the old domain.
| What we need | What you provide | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Domain registrar access | Login to where your domain is registered (plus 2FA access) | Lets us update nameservers or DNS records during cutover |
| DNS record list | Current DNS records (A/AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, SPF/DKIM/DMARC, and any SRV records) | Keeps your site, email, and verification records working after the move |
| Current hosting access | cPanel/Plesk/host dashboard login, or a full backup export | Lets us pull site files, config, and backups from the source host |
| File transfer access | SFTP/SSH credentials (or a downloadable backup zip) | Moves themes, uploads, custom code, and server-side files |
| Database access | Database name/user/password and phpMyAdmin export (if available) | Moves pages, posts, settings, orders, and form entries stored in the database |
| CMS admin access | WordPress admin login (or your CMS admin login) | Lets us adjust URLs, caching, plugins, and settings after import |
| Email setup details | Where email is hosted (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or host email), mailbox list, forwarders, and any catch-all rules | Prevents mail from bouncing when DNS changes |
| SSL/CDN/WAF accounts | Access to Cloudflare or other CDN/WAF, plus SSL certificate details if you use a custom cert | Keeps HTTPS working and avoids security warnings |
| Integrations and API keys | Logins for forms/CRM/booking/chat/payments (HubSpot, Calendly, Stripe, etc.) and any API keys/webhooks | Keeps lead flow, appointments, and payment events working |
| Tracking and search tools | Access to GA4, Google Tag Manager, and Google Search Console | Verifies tracking after launch and helps spot crawl or indexing issues |
| Redirect and URL notes | Any planned URL changes, plus a list of top pages that must not break | Prevents 404s and protects rankings if paths or domains change |
If you want the step-by-step flow we follow, read our FAQ on how website migrations work so you know what happens before, during, and after cutover.
For Orlando and Central Florida businesses, email is often on Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace while the website is on separate hosting. That’s totally fine, it just means we need the MX and TXT records copied exactly so your inbox stays stable. If you’re in a regulated space (healthcare, dental, legal), tell us upfront if the site stores patient or client data, so hosting and access rules match your compliance requirements.
When you want a hands-off move with clean backups, staging testing, and a tidy cutover plan, our WordPress hosting team can handle the migration and keep ongoing updates and security in one place.
If downtime is your main concern, our FAQ on moving hosts without downtime explains the common approach: clone to the new server, test on a temporary URL, then switch DNS when everything checks out.
