This article covers the basic automatic migration of data to an empty VEDOS Webhosting. If you want to migrate a website as an alias of an existing VEDOS Webhosting, follow the instructions Webhosting – Expert Automatic Data Migration, which build on these instructions.
If you want to migrate the website manually, follow the instructions Services – Move from Another Provider.
In this article, you will learn:
- Under what conditions you can perform a basic automatic data migration
- How to start the basic automatic migration
- How to check the website before production
- How to complete the basic automatic migration
- Common issues
- Frequently asked questions
Conditions for automatic website migration
Before you start the basic automatic website migration, make sure you meet these conditions:
- You have access to the website files via FTP at the original provider. Various online website editors (similar, for example, to the WebSite ⧉ service) do not support this access and therefore cannot be migrated.
- The domain points to the original website. Make all DNS server and record changes only after the migration is completed. During the order or service management process, pay close attention to offers for automatic DNS changes.
- You have a newly created or empty webhosting service at VEDOS. If there is already some data on the Webhosting you want to migrate to, we strongly recommend that you back it up. If you delete the old website, restore the basic directory structure according to these instructions.
Starting the automatic website migration
If you have prepared FTP access from the original provider and a new or reset Webhosting NoLimit, start the automatic migration with these steps:
- Log in to the customer administration ⧉.
- In the top menu, select Hosting Services Webhosting or WMS.
- From the list of services, select the webhosting to which you want to migrate the data.
- In the left menu, select Migration from Competitor – website.
- Carefully read and fill in the migration form.
- Click the Continue button.
FTP details of the original webhosting must be obtained from the original provider. If they do not provide them to you, you cannot perform the migration.
If the domain of the original webhosting differs from the name of the current webhosting, enter the domain name whose content you want to migrate into the Source domain on the original webhosting field.
For each migration to NoLimit and NoLimit Extra webhostings, we add a free trial domain, which you choose from the drop-down list. The free period is 1 year, and if the test goes well, you can also use the domain for another project.
As part of the migration, you must agree that data in the selected folder on the webhosting at VEDOS will be backed up, then deleted from FTP and replaced with new files.
VEDOS keeps a backup of the original hosting data for 30 days.
The migration does not affect the data on the original webhosting in any way.
Checking the website before production
After the automatic migration is completed, you will see information about successful completion in the interface.
By clicking the (here) link in the Status column, you will display the website on the trial domain you selected when entering the automatic migration. If the website works on this domain, you can use the automatic migration to:
- Complete it. The migration script overwrites the trial domain details with the webhosting name.
- Leave it in this state. The website will continue to work on the trial domain; any further settings will have to be made manually.
If a migration error occurs, either during the migration itself (the Status column shows Error) or during checking or completion (the website does not work properly on the trial domain or after completion), activate temporary FTP access according to these instructions and contact customer support via the form ⧉. Provide the website name and a detailed description of the error, ideally including a screenshot.
Completing the automatic website migration
If your migrated website works correctly, you can point the corresponding domain to it.
If you have both the domain and DNS at WEDOS and want to run both the website and email on the webhosting, you can perform the directing according to these instructions.
In other cases, set the corresponding A, AAAA and, if applicable, MX records of the webhosting at your DNS provider.
Common issues
Common problems with basic data migration include:
- Unavailable provider FTP
- The migrated website does not display correctly
- The migrated website overwrote the original one
Unavailable FTP
Problem: Login check error (50: Source FTP incorrect login) or another FTP issue is displayed.
Cause: You are entering incorrect FTP details, or the FTP account at the original provider is blocked.
Solution: Check that you are entering the correct FTP login details (for example, try logging in to the FTP client with them). Also check that the FTP account at your provider is not blocked or limited to specific IP addresses. Work with the provider to remove the blocking or restriction.
Incorrect website display
Problem: The website does not display correctly on the trial domain or after the migration is completed.
Cause: The basic migration always takes place in the default www folder, from which it deletes all existing data, including previous migrations.
Solution: Activate temporary FTP access according to these instructions and contact customer support via the form ⧉. Provide the website name and a detailed description of the error, ideally including a screenshot ⧉.
Overwritten existing website
Problem: The website that was on the webhosting before stopped working (including multiple migrated websites).
Solution: If you want to migrate multiple different websites to one webhosting, use expert migration. If you accidentally overwrote an existing website on that hosting during migration, contact us as soon as possible via the form ⧉ and request restoration of the backup made during migration. Specify the webhosting name. We keep the migration backup for a maximum of 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
What should I migrate first, the domain or the webhosting?
We recommend performing the domain transfer, DNS server changes or DNS record changes only after checking that the website works on the trial domain.
Can I use automatic migration from one VEDOS Webhosting to another?
Yes, you can migrate between any Webhosting and WMS services. WebSite 1.0 ⧉ cannot be migrated. You can also hand over a complete webhosting.
What happens to the original data at the competitor?
The data at the competitor are not affected by the migration in any way. The script only copies them, so they should not be damaged or deleted.
Can I migrate more websites to one Webhosting?
Yes, but only using expert migration. More information can be found in the article Webhosting – Separate websites for aliases.
How do I migrate databases if I only enter FTP?
For WordPress, the migration script can obtain access to the database on its own. For other content management systems or in the case of a custom solution, enter the database in expert mode according to the instructions Webhosting – Expert Automatic Data Migration.
How do I check the website's functionality on the main domain before pointing it to it?
Find the IPv4 address of the webhosting according to these instructions for setting an A record and, according to the instructions for your operating system, set it in the hosts file.
How long will the copying take? Can I close the window with the migration in progress?
The copying time depends on the amount of data and the load on the migration server. As a rough estimate, expect tens of minutes to several hours. If the migration of a relatively small website takes more than several hours, ask support ⧉ to check it. However, you can close the window. The system will inform you about the completion of the migration by email.