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    Website Migration Guide

    Step-by-step guide to moving your website to RamNode shared hosting.

    Table of Contents

    Pre-Migration Checklist

    Before starting the migration, gather the following information:

    • Access to old hosting cPanel or FTP
    • Database backup access
    • Domain registrar login (if changing nameservers)
    • Email account credentials (if migrating email)
    • List of all email addresses and forwarders
    • SSL certificate (if custom/commercial)

    Important: Always create a complete backup before migration! Keep your old hosting active until you verify everything works on the new server.

    Migration Methods

    cPanel to cPanelRecommended

    Easiest method if both hosts use cPanel.

    Manual Migration

    For non-cPanel hosts or when you want full control.

    Migration Plugin

    Automated migration for WordPress sites.

    cPanel to cPanel Migration

    1

    Create Full Backup on Old Host

    1. Log in to old host's cPanel
    2. Go to "Backup" or "Backup Wizard"
    3. Click "Download a Full Account Backup"
    4. Choose "Home Directory"
    5. Enter email for notification
    6. Click "Generate Backup"
    7. Wait for backup to complete (can take 30 minutes - 2 hours)
    8. Download the backup file (.tar.gz)
    2

    Upload Backup to New Host

    1. Log in to RamNode cPanel
    2. Go to "Backup" or "Backup Wizard"
    3. Click "Restore"
    4. Choose "Upload" backup file
    5. Select your backup file
    6. Wait for upload and extraction
    3

    Verify Migration

    • • Check that all files are present in File Manager
    • • Verify databases are imported
    • • Test website functionality
    • • Verify email accounts are created

    Manual Migration

    Step 1: Backup Website Files

    Via cPanel: Go to File Manager → public_html → Select all → Compress → Create ZIP → Download

    Via FTP: Connect to old host, download all files from public_html to your computer.

    Step 2: Export Databases

    1. Go to phpMyAdmin in old host's cPanel
    2. Select your database from left sidebar
    3. Click "Export" tab at top
    4. Choose "Quick" method, Format: SQL
    5. Click "Go" to download

    Step 3: Create Database on New Host

    1. Log in to RamNode cPanel
    2. Go to "MySQL Database Wizard"
    3. Create new database (note the name)
    4. Create database user with strong password
    5. Add user to database with "All Privileges"

    Step 4: Import Database

    1. In RamNode cPanel, go to phpMyAdmin
    2. Select the newly created database
    3. Click "Import" tab
    4. Choose your SQL file and click "Go"

    Step 5: Upload Website Files

    Via cPanel: File Manager → public_html → Upload ZIP → Right-click → Extract

    Via FTP: Connect to RamNode, upload all files to public_html.

    Step 6: Update Database Connection

    Update configuration files with new database credentials:

    WordPress (wp-config.php):

    define('DB_NAME', 'new_database_name');
define('DB_USER', 'new_database_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_database_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

    WordPress Migration with Plugin

    Using Duplicator Plugin

    On Old Site:

    1. Install "Duplicator" plugin
    2. Go to Duplicator → Create New
    3. Click "Next" through steps
    4. Click "Build" to create package
    5. Download installer.php and archive.zip

    On New Host:

    1. Upload both files to public_html
    2. Visit: https://domain.com/installer.php
    3. Follow installation wizard
    4. Enter new database credentials
    5. Delete installer files after completion

    Using All-in-One WP Migration

    On Old Site:

    1. Install "All-in-One WP Migration" plugin
    2. Go to plugin → Export
    3. Choose "Export to File"
    4. Download export file

    On New Host:

    1. Install WordPress fresh
    2. Install same plugin
    3. Go to plugin → Import
    4. Upload export file

    Migrating Email Accounts

    1

    Document Current Email Setup

    • • List all email addresses
    • • Note forwarders and auto-responders
    • • Document filters
    2

    Create Email Accounts on New Host

    • • In RamNode cPanel → Email Accounts
    • • Create each email account
    • • Set up same passwords (or update in email client)
    • • Configure forwarders and auto-responders
    3

    Transfer Email Messages (Optional)

    Set up both accounts in email client (Thunderbird, Outlook), then drag and drop emails from old to new account.

    Testing Before Changing DNS

    Method 1: Temporary URL

    RamNode provides a temporary URL in your welcome email. Visit: http://IP_ADDRESS/~username

    Method 2: Hosts File Edit

    Edit hosts file on your computer to point your domain to the new server IP:

    • Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
    • Mac/Linux: /etc/hosts

    Add line: NEW_SERVER_IP yourdomain.com www.yourdomain.com

    Changing Nameservers

    Once testing is complete and site works perfectly:

    RamNode Nameservers:

    ns1.ramnode.com
ns2.ramnode.com
    1. Log in to domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
    2. Find domain management section
    3. Look for "Nameservers" or "DNS Management"
    4. Change from "Default" to "Custom"
    5. Enter RamNode nameservers
    6. Save changes

    DNS propagation takes 24-48 hours (usually much faster). Keep old hosting active during this period.

    Post-Migration Checklist

    • Test all pages and links
    • Verify forms work (contact, newsletter)
    • Test e-commerce checkout (if applicable)
    • Check image displays
    • Test email sending/receiving
    • Verify SSL certificate is installed
    • Check site speed and performance
    • Verify cron jobs are set up

    Common Migration Issues

    Broken Images or Links

    Cause: Absolute URLs pointing to old domain

    Solution: WordPress: Use Better Search Replace plugin. Database: Search and replace old URLs with new ones.

    Database Connection Errors

    • • Verify database credentials are correct in config file
    • • Ensure database user has all privileges
    • • Confirm database host is "localhost"

    Permission Errors

    • • Folders: 755
    • • Files: 644
    • • wp-config.php: 600 (WordPress)