How to Migrate Your Website to GrabbyHost

Moving a website from another host to GrabbyHost involves three pieces: your files, your database (if any), and your domain's DNS. Doing them in the right order keeps your site online throughout, with little to no downtime.

Before You Start

• Make sure your GrabbyHost hosting plan is active and ready (see How to Place an Order for Hosting if you haven't ordered yet).
• Take a full backup on your old host first, in case anything needs to be re-copied.
• Note your current DNS records (especially MX records for email) so nothing gets missed when you switch over.

Step 1: Copy Your Website Files

Download your site's files from your old host (via FTP or its file manager), then upload them to GrabbyHost using either method in How to Upload Website Files (File Manager & FTP). For WordPress specifically, most hosts let you download a full-site archive that's faster than copying files one by one.

Step 2: Move Your Database

If your site uses a database (WordPress, most CMS platforms, and many custom apps do):

1. Export the database from your old host, usually via phpMyAdmin ("Export" tab, SQL format).
2. Create a new, empty database on GrabbyHost (see How to Create a MySQL Database).
3. Import the exported SQL file into the new database via phpMyAdmin's "Import" tab.
4. Update your site's configuration file (for example WordPress's wp-config.php) with the new database name, username, and password.

Step 3: Test Before Switching DNS

Before pointing your domain at GrabbyHost, confirm the site actually works on the new hosting. Most hosting accounts include a temporary URL or you can edit your computer's hosts file to preview the site using your real domain name without changing DNS yet. Check that pages load, forms work, and (for WordPress) the site isn't still hard-coded to the old URL.

Step 4: Switch Your DNS

Once you've confirmed the site works, point your domain at GrabbyHost:

• If GrabbyHost is also your registrar or you want to use GrabbyHost's nameservers, follow How to Point Your Domain to GrabbyHost (Nameservers).
• If you're keeping your current nameservers, just update the A record to GrabbyHost's server IP instead – see How to Update DNS Records.
• Don't forget MX records if your email is hosted separately from your website – moving web hosting doesn't have to mean moving email too, unless you want it to.

Step 5: Confirm the Cutover

DNS changes can take a few hours to propagate fully. During this window, keep your old hosting account active rather than cancelling it – that way visitors reaching either server still see a working site. Once you've confirmed traffic is reaching GrabbyHost and everything looks right, it's safe to cancel the old hosting.

Related Articles

• How to Upload Website Files (File Manager & FTP)
• How to Create a MySQL Database
• How to Update DNS Records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT)
• How to Point Your Domain to GrabbyHost (Nameservers)
• Troubleshooting Common Website Errors (500, 403, 404)