Migrating a WordPress Site Without Downtime
Moving a WordPress site to new hosting, a new domain or a fresh design can feel risky, but done properly it should be invisible to your visitors. The key is preparation and a clear sequence.
This article outlines how we migrate sites smoothly, keeping the old one live until the new one is proven.
Our Migration Sequence
- Copy the site to the new location without changing DNS.
- Test thoroughly on a temporary address.
- Sync any content changed during testing.
- Lower DNS TTL in advance for a fast switch.
- Point the domain over and monitor closely.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
- Watch for hard-coded old URLs in the database.
- Re-check email and form delivery after the move.
- Preserve redirects so old links keep working.
- Confirm SSL certificates are in place on day one.
Why There Is No Gap
Because both copies exist at once during the cutover, visitors always reach a working site. We only retire the old environment after the new one is fully confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my search rankings drop?
A clean migration with correct redirects usually preserves rankings. We follow SEO best practice to protect them.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.