Have you chosen a client-managed virtual private server hosting service in place of a shared web hosting plan? If yes, you may need to manually move your website data from that shared server hosting account to the newly bought one. In that situation, you may act as per the following for a successful migration.
Backing Up Your Website Data
Firstly, you should copy the databases and files associated with your website to allow a safe transfer to your new VPS space. For that, use your present host credentials to access its control panel.
For the website files, you may connect to that web hosting account with Filezilla or another FTP client. Locate the files, usually in the system’s root directory, and choose the option named Export. That would make an archive containing your website data.
When it comes to the database or databases, you should discover a tool known as phpMyAdmin in your account control panel. In it, locate the database concerned and choose Export. After verifying all information, choose Go to complete the process.
When you also wish to keep your electronic mail communication, be sure of downloading those messages with your email client before proceeding.
Setting Up The Virtual Private Server
While web hosts tend to cover this particular step, those with self-managed virtual private server hosting plans may have to undergo it regardless. Almost every web hosting service provider uses LAMP stack, but you may configure another server technology if you wish to do it. If in doubt, talk to your web host about your possible options.
Uploading Website Data On Your New VPS Account
You should now transfer the above-mentioned archives to that virtual private server. It is easy to do through a secure form of SSH connection. You only require your backup location and the server destination.
Alternatively, the FTP client you use can help to do it as well. To simplify database restore, go to the phpMyAdmin section of your shared account’s control panel. Then, go to the New Database section and choose Import. That will allow choosing that database archive in your local system and uploading the archive to your new server.
Testing Everything
After migrating to the virtual private server hosting account, you should check whether everything works properly. Just try to load your site and check every associated plugin to confirm that nothing failed in the transition process.
Pointing Your Domain Name Server
While the site may be completely functional on your VPS hosting platform, it is still important to let your domain know where to discover it. For that, sign into the new account through the company you registered your website domain with and then find the nameserver change option.
Pointing the name servers is as easy as inputting and saving the ones you got from your VPS service provider. Remember that the process of the modification taking effect globally, perhaps requires 24 to 48 hours because a propagation time follows such changes.
