This article addresses basic automatic data migration to an empty Webhosting. If you want to migrate a site as an alias of an existing Webhost, follow the Webhosting - Expert Automatic Data Migration tutorial that follows this tutorial.
To migrate the site manually, follow the instructions in Services - Migrate from another provider.
In this article you will learn:
- Under what conditions can you perform basic automatic data migration
- How to start basic automatic migration
- How to check the site before production
- How to complete a basic automatic migration
- Common problems
- Frequently Asked Questions
Conditions for automatic site migration
Before you run a basic automatic site migration, make sure you meet the following conditions:
- With the original provider, you can access the site files via FTP. Various online web editors (similar to WebSite ⧉ for example) do not support this access and cannot be migrated.
- The domain points to the original site. Make any changes to DNS servers and records after the migration is complete. Pay close attention to automatic DNS change offers during the order or service management process.
- At VEDOS you have a newly set up or empty webhosting. If you already have some data on the Webhost you want to migrate to, we strongly recommend backing it up. If you delete the old site, restore the basic directory structure following these instructions.
Start automatic site migration
If you have FTP access to the original provider and a new or reset Webhosting NoLimit ready, start the automatic migration with the following steps:
- Log in to the customer administration ⧉.
- In the top menu, select Hosting Services Webhosting or WMS.
- From the list of services, select the web host to which you want to migrate your data.
- In the left menu, select Migrate from competitors - web.
- Read and complete the migration form carefully.
- Click Continue.
Get the FTP details of the original web host from the original provider. If they don't give them to you, you can't migrate.
If the domain name of the original web host is different from the name of the current web host, in the Source domain on original web host box, type the name of the domain whose content you want to migrate.
With every migration to NoLimit and NoLimit Extra web hosts, we add a free test domain that you choose from the drop-down list. The free period is 1 year and if the test goes well, you can use the domain for another project.
As part of the migration, you must agree that the data in the selected folder on the VEDOS web hosting will be backed up, then deleted from the FTP and replaced with new files.
The backup of the original hosting data is kept by VEDOS for 30 days.
The migration does not affect the data on the original webhost.
Site control before production
When the automatic migration is complete, you will see information in the interface that the migration has been successfully completed.
Click the link (here) in the Status column to view the site on the test domain you selected when you entered the automatic migration. If the site on that domain is working, you can auto-migrate:
- Finish. The migration script overwrites the test domain data with the name of the web host.
- Leave in this state. The site will continue to run on the test domain, you will need to make any other settings manually.
If a migration error occurs, either during the migration ( Error in the Status column) or during checking or completion (the site is not working properly on the test domain or after completion), activate temporary FTP access according to these instructions and contact customer support via the form ⧉. Please provide the site name and a detailed description of the error, ideally attaching a screenshot.
Completion of automatic site migration
If your migrated site is working properly, you can point the corresponding domain to it.
If you have a domain and DNS with WEDOS and you want to run both web and email on the webhost, you can follow this guide.
In other cases, set your DNS provider to the appropriate A, AAAA, and possibly MX web hosting records.
Common problems
Common problems with basic data migration include:
- Unavailable FTP providers
- The migrated website is not displayed correctly
- The migrated site overwrote the original one
Unavailable FTP
Problem: An Input Control Error (50: Source FTP incorrect login) or other FTP problem is displayed.
Cause: you are entering incorrect FTP details or the FTP account is blocked by the original provider.
Solution: Make sure you are entering the correct FTP login credentials (for example, try logging into the FTP client). Also check that the FTP account with your provider is not blocked or limited to specific IP addresses. Work with your provider to remove the blocking or restriction.
Incorrect site display
Problem: The website does not display correctly on the test domain or after the migration is complete.
Cause: basic migration always goes to the default www folder, where it deletes all existing data, including previous migrations.
Solution: Activate the temporary FTP access according to this guide and contact customer support via the form ⧉. Please provide the site name and a detailed description of the error, ideally attaching a screenshot ⧉.
Rewritten existing website
Problem: A website that was hosted before (including multiple migrated websites) stopped working.
Solution: If you want to migrate multiple different websites to one web host, use expert migration. If you have accidentally overwritten an existing website on a given hosting with the migration, please contact us as soon as possible via the form ⧉ to request a restore of the backup made during the migration. Please provide the name of the web host. We hold the migration backup for a maximum of 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should I migrate first, the domain or the webhosting?
It is recommended to re-register the domain, change DNS servers or DNS records only after checking the functionality of the website on the test domain.
Can I use automatic migration from one VEDOS Webhost to another?
Yes, you can migrate between any Web Hosting and WMS. WebSite 1.0 ⧉ cannot be migrated. You can also transfer the complete web hosting.
What happens to the original data at competitors?
Competitors' data is not affected by the migration. The script only copies them, so they should not be damaged or deleted.
Can I migrate multiple websites to one Webhosting?
Yes, but only through expert migration. For more information see the article Webhosting - Separate sites for aliases.
How do I migrate databases if I only specify FTP?
For the WordPress content management system, the migration script can access the database. For other content management systems or for a custom solution, enter the database in expert mode according to the Webhosting - Expert Automatic Data Migration instructions.
How do I check the functionality of a site on the main domain before pointing it to it?
Find out by of this guide to setting up a Type A record IPv4 address of the webhost and set it in the file according to the instructions for your operating system hosts.
How long will the copying take? Can I close the window with the migration in progress?
The copy time depends on the volume of data and the load on the migration server. As a rule of thumb, expect tens of minutes to units of hours. If the migration of a relatively small site takes more than a few hours, ask for a support check ⧉. But you can close the window. The system will notify you by email when the migration is complete.