How to move a website to new hosting without losing rankings: a checklist

Published 2026-11-03 · 6 min read · By the Alian Digital team

A move does not hurt rankings because the site moved but because URLs changed, redirects vanished or mail broke. Here is an order that lowers the risk.

1. Make a full backup

Files and database are saved separately before work starts. Check that the backup can be restored, not just that it exists.

2. Make an inventory

• A list of pages and URLs (from the sitemap and analytics).
• Redirects that already exist.
• Mail, DNS records, subdomains.
• Integrations: payments, CRM, mail, API.
• Counters and verifications: Search Console, pixels.

3. Bring the site up in the new place and test

Before switching DNS, check the site on a temporary address or through the hosts file. Look at forms, payments, search, mail and speed.

4. Prepare 301 redirects

If URLs change, build a map of old URLs to new ones and set up permanent redirects. Avoid chains and redirecting every page to the home page.

5. Lower the TTL and issue SSL

A day or two before the move, reduce the TTL of DNS records so the switch is quick. Prepare the certificate in advance so the site opens over https right after the change.

6. Switch at a convenient time

Choose the period with the least traffic. Switch DNS and immediately check the main pages, forms and mail. Do not turn off the old environment until you are sure everything works.

7. Checks after the move

• 404 errors and redirect chains.
• The sitemap is updated and submitted in Search Console.
• Indexing and crawl errors.
• Speed on the new hosting.
• Mail: messages arrive and SPF, DKIM, DMARC are in place.
• For a domain change: the change of address tool in Search Console.