Get a free website with any plan

See how
MIGRATIONS

How long a migration takes

Last updated

IN SHORT

A standard Flashcloud site migration takes 2-5 business days from details submission to final DNS cutover. Simple sites finish faster, while large databases or custom setups take longer. The team copies and verifies your files for free while your existing site stays live.

A standard migration to Flashcloud takes 2-5 business days from the time you submit your site details to the moment DNS is fully cut over. Simple brochure sites and small WordPress installs often finish on the faster end; large databases, custom stacks, or sites with many add-on domains can run closer to the outer end. Your old site stays live while we build the copy on our servers, so in most cases the migration itself does not take your site offline.

What happens during those 2-5 days

Our team handles the transfer for you free of charge. You don't need to package anything yourself. Once everything is copied over, we verify the site before calling it done.

On most sites, the bulk of the time is spent verifying rather than moving files.

What makes a migration faster or slower

  • Site size and file count. Large media libraries or big MySQL databases take longer to export, transfer, and import than a lean site.
  • Number of domains and subdomains. If you're consolidating several sites from one host, each add-on domain and its DNS needs its own pass.
  • Custom software. Anything outside standard WordPress, like custom PHP applications, Node apps, or unusual cron jobs, takes more manual setup than a Softaculous-installed app.
  • Access to the old host. If your current host's panel access is slow to arrive or slow to work with, that adds time outside our control.
  • DNS propagation. Once we're ready to cut over, actual propagation is usually fast, though some resolvers hold onto old records for a while depending on caching settings.

DNS cutover and downtime

Your current site keeps serving visitors while we build and test the copy on our servers. The only point where timing matters to visitors is the final DNS switch: once your domain's nameservers or records point to us, new visitors start hitting the new server, while anyone still holding a cached DNS lookup briefly sees the old one. This overlap window is normal and typically resolves as caches expire.

If your domain is registered elsewhere and you're only moving hosting, you'll update DNS records in your registrar's panel or point nameservers to Flashcloud. Either way, SSL is reissued automatically once DNS resolves to the new server, so there's no manual certificate step on your end.

Tracking progress

You'll get updates through the support ticket tied to your migration request. If you want to check in without waiting on an email, open a new message on the same ticket from Support in the portal. Support PIN verification may be requested for account-sensitive changes, so keep that handy if you're submitting changes via chat or ticket.

When to contact support

If your migration is past the 5-business-day mark with no update, or you notice the live site behaving differently after cutover (missing pages, broken forms, email not arriving), open a ticket through the portal.

Common questions

Will my website go down while you move it?

In most cases, no. Your current site stays live and serves visitors while we copy and test files on our servers. Visitors only shift over during the final DNS switch.

How much does a migration cost?

Nothing. Our team handles the transfer free of charge.

Why is my transfer taking several days?

Sites with large databases, custom code, or multiple add-on domains take longer to copy and verify. Delays also occur if your previous host's panel access is slow to arrive or work with.

Do I have to install an SSL certificate after moving?

No. SSL reissues automatically once your domain's DNS resolves to Flashcloud.

CAN'T FIND IT?

Real humans answer fast.

Hosting with us? Open a ticket and a real person replies - no scripts, no upsells. Still choosing a host? The same team is included with every plan, from day one.