Website migrations work by moving your website’s files, database, and settings to a new server or platform, testing everything in a safe staging copy, then switching traffic over while keeping URLs and tracking consistent so visitors and Google still find the right pages.
Most migrations fall into one of three buckets: a hosting move (same site and URLs, new server), a rebuild or platform change (often WordPress to WordPress, or Wix/Squarespace to WordPress), or a URL or domain change (new paths, new domain, or HTTP to HTTPS). The steps are similar, but the risk goes up anytime URLs change because that’s when **301 redirects** and SEO checks become non-negotiable.
| Phase | What happens | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory and plan | We list every live URL, forms, tracking, DNS records, email-related DNS (MX, SPF, DKIM), and integrations like booking or payment tools. | 1-3 days |
| Build and migrate | We copy the site and database, update environment settings, and run a full search-and-replace if the domain or paths change. | 1-7 days |
| Pre-launch QA | We test page templates, mobile, site speed, SSL, analytics, forms, and any gated content, then crawl the staging site for errors. | 1-2 days |
| Cutover | We flip DNS or update routing, install SSL, and publish the final version. During DNS caching, some visitors may still hit the old server. | Minutes to 48 hours |
| Post-launch monitoring | We watch 404s, redirects, indexing, uptime, and conversions, then fix anything that slipped through. | 2-4 weeks |
For a hosting move, we usually aim for close to zero visible downtime by building the new site in parallel, then doing a short content freeze during cutover. DNS changes do not update for everyone at the same moment because resolvers cache records until their TTL expires, so you can see mixed results for a while even when the change is correct. If your site is on WordPress, the migration is often a straight copy of files and database, with WordPress settings updated for the new environment, and permalinks re-saved after go-live when needed.
If URLs change, the migration becomes an SEO project too. Every old URL should point to the best matching new URL with a 301 redirect, not a blanket redirect to the homepage. That keeps visitors from landing on the wrong page and helps Google replace old URLs in its index over time. We cover the practical difference between 301 and 302 in our 301 vs 302 redirects FAQ.
If the domain changes, we also handle Google Search Console items after redirects are live, including the Change of Address tool for moves between domains or subdomains, plus fresh sitemap submission on the new property.
For Orlando and Central Florida businesses, the “hidden” risk is local lead flow. After cutover, we verify call tracking, click-to-call buttons, contact forms, and appointment booking. We also check your Google Business Profile website link, because if that link breaks or points to the wrong page, you feel it immediately in calls. If you want us to handle the server side and keep backups, security updates, and performance tuning in one place after the move, our WordPress hosting setup is built for ongoing care, not one-time launches.
What you can do to keep your migration smooth: gather logins (domain registrar, DNS, hosting, CMS, analytics), pick a short window where you can pause content edits during launch, and tell us about every tool tied to the site (chat widgets, CRMs, form plugins, payment links, HIPAA-facing patient forms, anything). If you’re unsure what type of migration you’re planning, we can map the safest path and call out the exact items that commonly break before anything goes live.
