What Should I Do on the Domain Level During a Hosting Migration?

Short Answer: On the domain level, you need to change the Domain Name Servers (DNS) so that they point to the IP address of your new hosting provider. This ensures that users can continue to access your website using your domain name instead of its IP address.

Full Explanation

When you migrate your website to a new hosting service, one critical step at the domain level is to update the Domain Name Servers (DNS). The DNS is a system that translates your website’s domain name into its corresponding IP address, allowing users to reach your site by typing your web address rather than a complex string of numbers.

Changing your hosting means that your website’s files and data reside on a new server with a different IP address. Therefore, your DNS records must be updated to reflect this new location. Without this update, visitors may still be directed to your old hosting server or encounter errors when trying to visit your site.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Identify your new hosting IP address: Obtain the IP address of your new hosting server from your hosting provider.
Access your domain registrar: Log in to the account where your domain name is registered.
Locate DNS management settings: Find the section where you can update your Domain Name Servers or DNS records.
Update DNS entries: Replace the current DNS with the new DNS provided by your new hosting provider or directly update the DNS records to point to the new IP address.
Save changes and wait for propagation: After saving, allow some time for DNS changes to take effect globally.

Real Examples

Suppose your old hosting server’s IP was 192.0.2.1, and your new hosting provider gives you an IP of 198.51.100.2. To complete the migration, you would change your DNS records so that the domain points to 198.51.100.2. This change ensures that when users enter your web address, they reach the new hosting server instead of the old one.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to update the DNS after changing hosting, which can lead to downtime or visitors reaching the old server.
Incorrectly entering DNS records, causing the domain to become unreachable.
Not allowing enough time for DNS propagation before assuming the migration is complete.

FAQs

Why do I need to update DNS when changing hosting?

Updating DNS makes sure your domain points to the new server’s IP address, so visitors reach the correct website location.

How long does DNS propagation take?

It can vary, but typically it takes a few hours to 48 hours for DNS changes to spread globally.

What happens if I don’t change the DNS during hosting migration?

Your domain will still point to the old hosting server, causing users to see the old website or an error if the old hosting is no longer active.

Key Takeaways

Changing your hosting requires updating your Domain Name Servers to point to the new IP address.
The DNS allows users to find your website by its domain name instead of an IP address.
Make DNS changes carefully and allow time for them to take effect to avoid accessibility issues.