How to Migrate Your Website to a VPS Without Losing Data

To migrate your website to a VPS without losing data, follow four essential steps: create a full backup, prepare the new server, transfer files and databases, and update DNS records only after everything has been verified.

Moving from shared hosting to a VPS is a smart upgrade when your traffic grows or you need more control over your environment. The process can look daunting at first, but with the right sequence it's straightforward and safe. This guide walks you through every stage.

Step 1: Create a Full Backup Before Touching Anything

Before you move a single file, create complete backups of your current site. This is the golden rule of any migration.

What you need to back up:

Website files: download all content from public_html (or your site's root folder) via FTP or your control panel's file manager.
Database: export each database as a .sql file from phpMyAdmin or using the mysqldump command.
Email accounts: if you have email accounts, download your messages using a client like Thunderbird before migrating.
Configurations: note your current DNS records, configured email accounts, and any rules in .htaccess.

Store everything in at least two separate locations: your local computer and a cloud storage service (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.).

Step 2: Prepare Your VPS Before the Migration

Your new VPS must be ready to receive your site before you start copying files. Installing and configuring software while the site is in production increases the risk of errors.

Preparation tasks on the VPS:

Install your web server (Apache or Nginx) and the PHP version your current site uses.
Install MariaDB or MySQL, and create a database user and database for your site.
Set up a control panel if you prefer (cPanel, Plesk, CyberPanel) to simplify file and domain management.
Configure a basic firewall: open only ports 22 (SSH), 80 (HTTP), and 443 (HTTPS).
Install an SSL certificate (Let's Encrypt is free via Certbot).

If you're not comfortable managing a Linux server, consider a managed VPS. The team at elenlace.com offers plans with technical support included, so they handle the server environment setup for you.

Step 3: Transfer Files and Database

With the VPS ready, it's time to move your site's content.

File Transfer

Use SCP or SFTP to copy files directly to the server:

scp -r /local/path/site/ user@VPS-IP:/var/www/html/

Alternatively, if your new VPS has cPanel, you can upload a ZIP file and extract it through the file manager.

Database Import

On the new VPS, import the .sql file you exported earlier:

mysql -u db_user -p database_name < backup.sql

After importing, update your site's configuration file (e.g., wp-config.php for WordPress) with the new database username, password, and host on the VPS.

Verify Everything Works Before Changing DNS

Edit your local computer's hosts file to temporarily point your domain to the new VPS IP and verify your site without affecting real visitors:

On Linux/Mac: /etc/hosts
On Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Add a line like: 123.45.67.89 yourdomain.com (using your VPS's real IP). Open your browser and confirm that the site loads correctly, forms work, and images display.

Step 4: Update DNS and Complete the Migration

Once you've confirmed everything works on the VPS, update your DNS records to direct real traffic to the new server.

DNS Record	Old Value	New Value
A	Shared hosting IP	New VPS IP
CNAME www	Old host	yourdomain.com (or VPS IP)
MX	Old mail server	New mail server (if applicable)

DNS propagation can take 1 to 48 hours, though it typically completes in under 4 hours. During this window, keep your old hosting account active — do not cancel it until propagation is fully complete worldwide.

To monitor propagation, use tools like DNS Checker or run dig yourdomain.com +short from your terminal.

Find more technical guides on VPS hosting and server management in our VPS servers section.

Key Takeaways

Always create a full backup (files + database) before starting.
Set up and test the new VPS before changing DNS records.
Use your local hosts file to verify the site on the VPS without affecting real visitors.
Only update DNS records once you've confirmed everything works correctly.
Keep your old hosting account active until DNS propagation is complete worldwide.

Would you rather have experts handle the migration for you? elenlace.com provides professional website-to-VPS migrations with no downtime and guaranteed backup.

FAQ

How long does it take to migrate a website to a VPS?

It depends on your site's size. A small site can be migrated in 1 to 2 hours. Sites with many files or large databases may take 4 to 8 hours, mostly due to transfer time and testing.

Will I lose traffic or SEO rankings during the migration?

You shouldn't lose rankings if the migration is done correctly. Changing servers doesn't affect SEO as long as the domain, URLs, and content remain the same. You may see minor traffic fluctuations during DNS propagation, but these are temporary.

Do I need advanced technical skills to migrate to a VPS?

For an unmanaged VPS, yes — you need basic Linux knowledge (SSH, file management, package installation). To avoid this, choose a managed VPS where the provider handles server configuration, or hire an agency to perform the migration for you.

Can I migrate any type of website to a VPS?

Yes. WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, PrestaShop, Magento, custom-built stores, and any PHP/MySQL-based site — even Node.js or Python apps — can run on a VPS. The key is correctly configuring the runtime environment your application requires.