Making the transition.
BEFORE YOU MOVE
Confirm you actually need it Decide managed or self-managed Plan who administers it
THE SEQUENCE
- Order the VPS
- Set it up and secure it before putting anything on it
- Install your control panel, if using one
- Move one site and test thoroughly
- Move the rest
- Change DNS
- Keep the old hosting for a week
SECURING IT FIRST
Before anything else: change default passwords, configure the firewall, disable password-based root login, apply all updates.
A new server left open is scanned within minutes.
WHAT TO MOVE FIRST
Your least important site. Learn on that.
WHAT TO TEST
Every site, every form, email both directions, cron jobs, SSL.
WHAT PEOPLE FORGET
Email, cron jobs, and DNS records other than the main one.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Move everything at once Cancel the old hosting before verification
