This article deals with basic automatic data migration to an empty Webhosting service. If you want to migrate a website as an alias of an existing Webhosting, follow the guide Webhosting – Expert Data Migration Tool, which extends the information in this guide.

If you want to migrate your website manually, follow the instructions for Services – Migrate from Another Provider.

In this article, you will learn:

• What conditions you have to meet to migrate a website automatically
• How to start the automatic migration process
• How to check the migrated website
• How to make sure the website runs on the new hosting
• Common issues
• Frequently asked questions

Before you start a basic automatic site migration, make sure you meet these prerequisites:

• The files on your original provider’s hosting are accessible via FTP. Various simple editors (such as the one offered by our WebSite service) do not provide FTP access, and thus cannot be migrated.
• The domain directs to the original website. Make all changes to DNS servers and records only after the migration is complete. Pay close attention to automatic DNS change offers when ordering or managing services, especially if the domain uses our DNS servers (NSSET).
• You have a new or empty Webhosting service. If you already have some data on the Webhosting you want to migrate to, we strongly recommend backing it up.

If you have your original provider’s FTP accesses ready and a new or reset WEDOS Webhosting, start the automatic migration with these steps:

1. Log into the customer administration panel.
2. In the navigation bar, select Web & Email Hosting Webhosting.
3. Select the target Webhosting service from the list.
4. In the left menu, click Website Migration Tool.
5. Carefully read and fill in the migration form.
6. Click the Continue button.

Ask your provider for the required Original web hosting information: the FTP Server name, Login name and Password. If the host doesn’t provide FTP access, you cannot perform the migration.

If the original website domain is different from the name of the WEDOS Webhosting, choose Another Domain… in the Source domain field and enter the original website domain there.

With every migration to NoLimit and NoLimit Extra Webhosting, you get a free test domain that you choose from the drop-down list. The free period is 1 year and if the test goes well, you can use the domain for another project.

Finally, you must agree that the existing data in the selected folder on WEDOS Webhosting will be backed up, then deleted from FTP and replaced with new files.

The original Webhosting data backup is kept for 30 days.

The migration does not affect the data on the original web hosting service.

After the automatic migration is completed, you will see the successful completion information in the interface.

Click the (here) link in the Status column to review the site on the selected test domain (if available). If the website on this domain works, you can:

• Finalize: The script will overwrite the test domain with the main domain.
• Keep Current State. The migrated website will continue to run on the test domain, you will have to perform any other settings manually.

If an error occurs, either during migration (the Status column shows Error) or during review (the website on the test domain or after finalization doesn’t work properly), activate temporary FTP access according to this guide and contact customer support via the form. Include the name of the website and a detailed description of the error, ideally including a screenshot.

If your migrated website works properly, you can direct the corresponding domain to it.

If you have a domain and DNS with WEDOS and want to run both a website and emails on the Webhosting, you can direct the domain according to this guide.

In other cases, set the Webhosting’s A, AAAA and possibly MX records with your DNS provider.

Common problems with basic data migration include:

• Original provider’s FTP is unavailable
• Migrated website doesn’t display correctly
• Migrated website deleted original Webhosting data

Issue: There’s a message: Failed to check entry (50: Source FTP incorrect login) or another FTP error.

Cause: You are entering incorrect FTP data, or the original provider’s FTP is blocked.

Solution: Check that you are entering the correct FTP credentials (for example, try logging into an FTP client with them). Also, check that the FTP account at your provider is not blocked or limited to specific IP addresses. Remove blocking or restrictions in cooperation with the provider.

Issue: The website doesn’t display correctly on the test domain, or after finalization.

Solution: Activate temporary FTP access according to this guide and contact customer support via the form. Include the name of the website and a detailed description of the error, ideally including a screenshot.

Issue: The website that was there before the migration attempt stopped working.

Cause: Basic migration always places data in the default www folder, from where it deletes all existing data, including previous migrations.

Solution: If you want to migrate or run several different websites on one Webhosting, use expert migration. If you accidentally overwrote an existing website during the migration, contact us as soon as possible via the form to restore the backup made during migration. Include the name of the Webhosting service. We keep the migration backup for a maximum of 30 days.

Question: What should I migrate first, the domain or the web hosting?
Answer: We recommend performing the domain transfer, changes to DNS servers or DNS records only after checking the functionality of the website on the test domain.

Question: Can I use automatic migration from one WEDOS Webhosting to another?
Answer: Yes, you can migrate data between any Webhosting and WMS. WebSite cannot be migrated.

Question: What happens to the original data with the previous provider?
Answer: The competitor’s data is not affected by the migration. The script only copies them, so they should not be damaged or deleted.

Question: Can I migrate multiple sites to one Webhosting?
Answer: Yes, but only using expert migration. You can find more information in the article Webhosting – Separate Alias Websites.

Question: How do I migrate databases if I only enter FTP?
Answer: With the WordPress content management system, the migration script can obtain access to the database from FTP files. For other systems or in the case of your own app, enter database credentials in expert mode according to the instructions Webhosting – Expert Data Migration Tool.

Question: How do I check the functionality of a site on the main domain before directing it there?
Answer: Find out the Webhosting IPv4 address according to these instructions for setting type A records and set it in the hosts file according to the instructions for your operating system.

Question: How long will it take to copy? Can I close the migration in progress window?
Answer: The copying time depends on the volume of data and the workload of the migration server. A good estimate is tens of minutes to units of hours. If it takes more than a few hours to migrate a relatively small site, ask support to investigate. You can close the window, though. The system notifies you by email when the migration completes.