How to Migrate Your Website to Cloudways: Step-by-Step

Introduction

Moving a website to a better hosting provider can dramatically improve its speed, security, uptime, and overall performance. Whether you’re running a personal blog, an online store, or a business website, choosing the right hosting platform is essential for long-term success.

Cloudways has become one of the most popular managed cloud hosting platforms because it combines the power of leading cloud providers with an easy-to-use interface. Instead of dealing with complex server management, users can focus on growing their websites while Cloudways handles many technical tasks such as server optimization, security updates, backups, and monitoring.

One of the biggest concerns website owners have is migration. Many people worry that moving their website will result in downtime, broken pages, or data loss. Fortunately, Cloudways offers several migration options that make the process much easier, even for beginners.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything about website migration to Cloudways, including preparation, backup creation, using the free Cloudways Migrator Plugin, performing manual migration, updating DNS records, testing your website, fixing common migration issues, and much more.

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be able to migrate your website confidently with minimal downtime.

Why Migrate to Cloudways?

Website migration is often driven by the need for better hosting performance, improved security, or easier server management. Cloudways addresses these needs by offering managed cloud hosting powered by top infrastructure providers like DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode, AWS, and Google Cloud.

Here are the major reasons why website owners migrate to Cloudways:

1. Faster Website Performance

Website speed is a major ranking factor for search engines and also impacts user experience. Cloudways is optimized for high performance with:

1. SSD storage
2. Advanced caching (Varnish)
3. Redis support
4. Memcached
5. PHP-FPM
6. HTTP/2 support
7. Latest PHP versions
8. CDN integration

These technologies help websites load significantly faster than many shared hosting environments.

2. Managed Cloud Hosting

Unlike traditional VPS hosting, Cloudways manages most server-related tasks for you.

This includes:

1. Server setup
2. Operating system updates
3. Security patches
4. Monitoring
5. Backups
6. Scaling resources

This makes cloud hosting much easier, even for users with limited technical knowledge.

3. Better Security

Cloudways includes multiple security features out of the box, including:

1. Dedicated firewall
2. IP whitelisting
3. Free SSL certificates
4. Regular security updates
5. Automated backups
6. Two-factor authentication
7. Bot protection

These features help protect your website from common cyber threats.

4. Easy Vertical Scaling

As your website grows, you can increase server resources without migrating again.

You can upgrade:

1. RAM
2. CPU
3. Storage
4. Bandwidth

This flexibility makes Cloudways suitable for growing businesses.

5. Automated Backups

Cloudways allows scheduled backups ranging from every hour to once every week.

Benefits include:

1. Quick recovery
2. Protection against accidental deletion
3. Disaster recovery
4. Safe website updates

6. One-Click Application Deployment

Cloudways supports many applications, including:

1. WordPress
2. WooCommerce
3. Magento
4. Laravel
5. Joomla
6. Drupal
7. PHP applications

Deploying a new application only takes a few minutes.

7. Free Website Migration

One of the biggest reasons users switch to Cloudways is the availability of a free WordPress migration plugin.

Benefits include:

1. Minimal downtime
2. Automated migration
3. No coding required
4. Beginner-friendly process

For complex websites, Cloudways also provides professional migration assistance on eligible plans.

8. Better Uptime

Reliable uptime is essential for maintaining visitor trust and search engine rankings.

Cloudways infrastructure is built on premium cloud providers known for high availability, helping reduce downtime compared to many traditional shared hosting services.

9. Pay-As-You-Go Pricing

Instead of paying for resources you don’t use, Cloudways allows flexible billing based on your selected server configuration.

This is especially beneficial for:

1. Startups
2. Developers
3. Agencies
4. Small businesses

10. Excellent Developer Features

Advanced users benefit from features such as:

1. SSH access
2. Git deployment
3. Staging environments
4. WP-CLI
5. Team collaboration
6. API access
7. Cron Job Manager

These tools simplify development workflows and website management.

How to Migrate Your Website to Cloudways

If you’re migrating a WordPress website, the easiest and most beginner-friendly method is to use the Cloudways WordPress Migrator Plugin. It automates most of the migration process, reducing the risk of errors and minimizing downtime.

Using the Cloudways WordPress Migrator Plugin

The Cloudways WordPress Migrator Plugin is a free tool designed to transfer WordPress websites from almost any hosting provider to Cloudways.

It copies your:

1. Website files
2. WordPress database
3. Themes
4. Plugins
5. Media library
6. Settings

The plugin eliminates the need to manually upload files or import databases, making it ideal for users with little technical experience.

Why Use the Cloudways Migrator Plugin?

The plugin offers several advantages:

1. Free to use
2. Beginner-friendly
3. No coding required
4. Transfers files and database automatically
5. Supports most WordPress websites
6. Minimizes downtime
7. Faster than manual migration
8. Preserves website structure and content

Prerequisites

Before using the plugin, make sure you have:

1. A Cloudways account
2. A launched Cloudways server
3. A WordPress application installed on Cloudways
4. Admin access to your existing WordPress site
5. A recent website backup
6. Stable internet connection

Step 1: Launch a Server on Cloudways

First, log in to your Cloudways dashboard and create a new server.

During setup, you’ll choose:

1. Your cloud provider (DigitalOcean, Vultr, AWS, Google Cloud, etc.)
2. Server size (RAM, CPU, storage)
3. Application (WordPress)
4. Server location closest to your audience
5. Project name

Once the server is ready, Cloudways will automatically install a fresh WordPress application.

Step 2: Collect Cloudways Application Credentials

To migrate your website, you’ll need several details from the Cloudways dashboard.

Go to your Application Management panel and note the following:

1. Public IP Address
2. SFTP Host
3. SFTP Username
4. SFTP Password
5. Application URL (temporary URL)
6. Application Folder (if required)

Keep these credentials handy, as you’ll enter them into the migration plugin.

Step 3: Install the Cloudways Migrator Plugin

On your existing WordPress website:

1. Log in to the WordPress Admin Dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins → Add New.
3. Search for Cloudways WordPress Migrator.
4. Click Install Now.
5. Activate the plugin.

After activation, you’ll find the migrator tool in your WordPress dashboard.

Step 4: Enter Migration Details

Open the Cloudways Migrator Plugin and fill in the required information.

Typically, you’ll provide:

1. Destination Site URL (temporary Cloudways URL)
2. Server Public IP
3. SFTP Username
4. SFTP Password
5. Application Folder
6. Your email address (to receive migration status updates)

Double-check all details before proceeding to avoid connection errors.

Step 5: Start the Migration

Click the Migrate button to begin.

The plugin will automatically:

1. Compress website files
2. Export the database
3. Upload everything to the Cloudways server
4. Import the database
5. Update configuration files
6. Complete the migration

The duration depends on your website size and internet speed.

Step 6: Monitor the Progress

The plugin displays the migration status in real time.

It generally goes through these stages:

1. Preparing files
2. Compressing data
3. Uploading files
4. Importing database
5. Updating configuration
6. Finalizing migration

Avoid closing the browser or interrupting the process until it finishes.

Step 7: Review the Migration Report

Once complete, you’ll receive a success message and, if you provided an email address, a notification there as well.

Review the report for any warnings or errors before moving on to testing.

Tips for a Successful Plugin Migration

Follow these best practices to reduce the chances of issues:

1. Create a fresh backup before starting.
2. Disable maintenance, caching, and security plugins temporarily if they interfere with the migration.
3. Ensure your Cloudways server has enough storage and resources.
4. Avoid making content changes during the migration.
5. Keep your browser and internet connection stable.
6. Test the migrated site thoroughly before updating your domain’s DNS.

Advantages of the Cloudways Migrator Plugin

1. Quick setup with minimal technical knowledge required.
2. Automates both file and database transfer.
3. Reduces the risk of manual errors.
4. Suitable for most standard WordPress websites.
5. Free and officially supported by Cloudways.

Manual Migration to Cloudways

Manual migration involves transferring your website files and database from your current hosting provider to your Cloudways server.

When Should You Choose Manual Migration?

Manual migration is recommended if:

1. Your website is not built on WordPress.
2. The migration plugin fails.
3. Your website is very large.
4. You have custom server configurations.
5. You want complete control over the migration process.
6. You’re migrating Laravel, Magento, Joomla, Drupal, or a custom PHP application.

Requirements Before Starting

Ensure you have:

1. A Cloudways account with an active server.
2. Your website files.
3. A complete database export.
4. FTP/SFTP credentials.
5. Database credentials.
6. SSH access (optional but helpful).
7. A verified website backup.

Step 1: Download Website Files

First, download all website files from your current hosting account.

You can use:

1. FTP client (such as FileZilla)
2. cPanel File Manager
3. SSH
4. Hosting File Manager

Download everything inside your website’s root directory.

Common folders include:

1. wp-admin
2. wp-content
3. wp-includes
4. images
5. themes
6. plugins
7. uploads

For non-WordPress websites, download all application files.

Step 2: Export Your Database

Next, export your database.

Most hosting providers allow database export through phpMyAdmin.

Choose:

1. Export
2. Quick Export
3. SQL Format

Save the SQL file on your computer.

Step 3: Upload Files to Cloudways

Log in to Cloudways and obtain your SFTP credentials.

Using an FTP client:

1. Connect to your Cloudways server.
2. Open the application folder.
3. Upload all website files.

Large websites may take some time depending on your internet speed.

Step 4: Import the Database

After uploading the files:

1. Open Cloudways Database Manager or phpMyAdmin.
2. Select your application database.
3. Import the SQL file you exported earlier.
4. Wait for the import to complete.

If your database is very large, you may need to use SSH and command-line tools instead of phpMyAdmin.

Step 5: Update Configuration Files

Your website now needs to connect to the new database.

For WordPress, update the wp-config.php file with:

1. Database name
2. Database username
3. Database password
4. Database host

For Laravel, update the .env file with the new database credentials.

Other applications may have similar configuration files that need to be updated.

Step 6: Update URLs (If Necessary)

If your website uses absolute URLs, update them to match the new domain or temporary Cloudways URL.

For WordPress, this can be done using:

1. Search and Replace plugins
2. WP-CLI
3. SQL queries

This ensures links and media display correctly.

Step 7: Clear Cache

Before testing, clear all caches:

1. Application cache
2. Browser cache
3. CDN cache
4. Cloudways cache
5. WordPress cache plugins

Testing Your Website After Migration

Once the migration is complete, test every important part of your website before pointing your domain to the new server.

A thorough review helps identify issues early and ensures visitors have a smooth experience.

1. Check Website Loading

Open your website using the temporary Cloudways URL.

Verify that:

1. Homepage loads correctly.
2. Pages open without errors.
3. Images display properly.
4. CSS styles are applied.
5. JavaScript functions work.
6. Fonts load correctly.

2. Test Internal Links

Click through:

1. Navigation menu
2. Footer links
3. Category pages
4. Blog posts
5. Buttons
6. Breadcrumbs

Fix any broken or incorrect links you find.

3. Verify Forms

Test all forms, including:

1. Contact forms
2. Newsletter subscriptions
3. Quote request forms
4. Appointment booking forms
5. Login and registration forms

Confirm that submissions are received successfully.

4. Check Images and Media

Review your media library to ensure:

1. Images load correctly.
2. Videos play without issues.
3. PDFs download properly.
4. File permissions are correct.

Missing media often indicates incomplete file uploads or incorrect paths.

5. Test Plugins and Themes

If you’re using WordPress:

1. Activate essential plugins.
2. Ensure themes function correctly.
3. Test custom widgets and shortcodes.
4. Check page builders like Elementor or Gutenberg.
5. Verify WooCommerce functionality if applicable.

6. Verify SSL Certificate

After connecting your domain to Cloudways:

1. Install or enable an SSL certificate.
2. Confirm your site loads over HTTPS.
3. Check for mixed content warnings.
4. Ensure the padlock icon appears in the browser.

A secure connection is essential for user trust and SEO.

7. Check Website Speed

Compare performance before and after migration.

Measure:

1. Page load time
2. Core Web Vitals
3. Time to First Byte (TTFB)
4. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
5. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

A successful migration often results in noticeable speed improvements.

8. Test Mobile Responsiveness

Open your website on different devices to ensure:

1. Responsive layouts.
2. Proper image scaling.
3. Readable text.
4. Functional menus and buttons.
5. Smooth navigation.

9. Review SEO Settings

Ensure important SEO elements remain intact:

1. Meta titles and descriptions.
2. XML sitemap.
3. Robots.txt.
4. Canonical URLs.
5. Structured data.
6. Redirects.

This helps preserve your search engine rankings after the migration.

10. Monitor Error Logs

After the site goes live, monitor logs for:

1. PHP errors.
2. Database connection issues.
3. 404 errors.
4. Plugin conflicts.
5. Performance warnings.

Addressing these promptly helps maintain a stable website.

Post-Migration Testing Checklist

Before updating your DNS records, confirm the following:

✔ Homepage loads correctly.

✔ All pages are accessible.

✔ Images and media display properly.

✔ Contact forms work.

✔ Plugins and themes function as expected.

✔ SSL is configured.

✔ Internal links are working.

✔ Mobile responsiveness is intact.

✔ Website speed is satisfactory.

✔ No major errors appear in logs.

DNS Configuration

After successfully migrating and testing your website on Cloudways, the final step is to point your domain to the new server. This process is known as DNS (Domain Name System) configuration.

When you update your DNS records, visitors who type your domain name into a browser will be directed to your Cloudways-hosted website instead of your old hosting provider.

What is DNS?

DNS acts like the internet’s phonebook. Instead of remembering a server’s IP address, users simply enter a domain name (for example, example.com), and DNS translates it into the correct server IP address.

Without proper DNS configuration, visitors may continue seeing your old website or encounter errors.

Information You’ll Need

Before updating your DNS records, have the following ready:

1. Your domain registrar login (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains)
2. Cloudways server Public IP address
3. Access to your DNS management panel
4. SSL certificate (to be installed after DNS propagation)

Step 1: Find Your Cloudways Server IP

In your Cloudways dashboard:

1. Open your server.
2. Navigate to Server Management.
3. Copy the Public IP Address.

You’ll use this IP address in your DNS records.

Step 2: Update the A Record

Log in to your domain registrar and open the DNS management section.

Update:

Record Type	Host	Value
A	@	Your Cloudways Server IP

This directs your root domain to the Cloudways server.

Step 3: Update the WWW Record

If you want www.yourdomain.com to work, create or update the following record:

Record Type	Host	Points To
CNAME	www	@

Alternatively, some DNS providers allow another A record pointing to the same IP.

Step 4: Save Changes

Save the updated DNS records.

The changes won’t take effect instantly.

Step 5: Wait for DNS Propagation

DNS propagation is the time it takes for DNS servers worldwide to update.

Typical propagation times:

1. 5–30 minutes (best case)
2. 2–6 hours (common)
3. Up to 24–48 hours (maximum)

During this period, some visitors may see the old website while others see the new one.

Step 6: Install an SSL Certificate

After DNS propagation:

1. Install a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate (or your preferred SSL certificate).
2. Force HTTPS if needed.
3. Verify there are no mixed-content issues.

A valid SSL certificate encrypts data between your website and visitors, improving security and trust.

Step 7: Verify the Website

Once DNS has propagated:

1. Open your domain in a browser.
2. Confirm it loads from the Cloudways server.
3. Test all important pages and functionality.
4. Ensure HTTPS is active.

Only after confirming everything works correctly should you consider canceling your old hosting account.

Common Migration Errors

Even with careful planning, issues can arise during or after migration. Here are some of the most common problems and their solutions.

1. Website Shows “500 Internal Server Error”

Possible Causes

1. Incorrect file permissions
2. Corrupted .htaccess file
3. Plugin conflicts
4. PHP compatibility issues

Solution

1. Reset file permissions.
2. Regenerate the .htaccess file.
3. Disable recently installed plugins.
4. Ensure the PHP version is compatible.

2. Database Connection Error

Possible Causes

1. Incorrect database credentials
2. Database import failed
3. Wrong database host

Solution

1. Verify database name, username, password, and host in your configuration file (e.g., wp-config.php for WordPress).
2. Re-import the database if necessary.

3. Missing Images or Broken Links

Possible Causes

1. Incomplete file upload
2. Incorrect URLs
3. Wrong file permissions

Solution

1. Re-upload missing files.
2. Update URLs if the domain changed.
3. Check file permissions.

4. Mixed Content Warnings

Possible Causes

1. Some resources still load over HTTP.

Solution

1. Update all internal links to HTTPS.
2. Clear caches.
3. Use a plugin or search-and-replace tool to update URLs.

5. Slow Website After Migration

Possible Causes

1. Caching disabled
2. Large images
3. Unoptimized database
4. High server load

Solution

1. Enable caching.
2. Optimize images.
3. Clean the database.
4. Monitor server resources and upgrade if needed.

6. DNS Not Updating

Possible Causes

1. DNS propagation is still in progress.
2. Incorrect DNS records.
3. Browser or ISP cache.

Solution

1. Wait for propagation.
2. Verify your A and CNAME records.
3. Clear browser cache or test from another network.

7. Email Issues

Possible Causes

1. DNS MX records not configured.
2. Email service not migrated.

Solution

1. Check and update MX records if you’re using a third-party email service.
2. Verify email settings after migration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Cloudways Migration Free?

Yes. Cloudways offers a free WordPress Migrator Plugin for WordPress websites. Depending on your plan and website complexity, professional migration assistance may also be available.

2. Will My Website Experience Downtime During Migration?

If you complete the migration, thoroughly test the site, and only update your DNS records after everything is working, downtime is usually minimal or completely avoided.

3. Can I Migrate a Non-WordPress Website?

Yes. Non-WordPress websites such as Laravel, Magento, Joomla, Drupal, or custom PHP applications can be migrated manually.

4. How Long Does Website Migration Take?

The duration depends on your website size and complexity. Small websites may take less than 30 minutes, while larger sites can take several hours.

5. Do I Need Coding Knowledge?

Not necessarily. The Cloudways WordPress Migrator Plugin is designed for beginners. Manual migration, however, requires more technical expertise.

6. Should I Back Up My Website Before Migrating?

Absolutely. Always create a complete backup of your website files and database before starting any migration.

7. Can I Keep My Domain Name?

Yes. Your domain name remains the same. You’ll simply update its DNS records to point to the new Cloudways server.

8. When Should I Cancel My Old Hosting?

Only after:

1. Your DNS changes have fully propagated.
2. You’ve tested every important feature.
3. You’re confident the website is running correctly on Cloudways.

Ready to Migrate Your Website to Cloudways?

Moving your website to Cloudways doesn’t have to be complicated. With the Cloudways WordPress Migrator Plugin, manual migration options, careful testing, and proper DNS configuration, you can move your website with minimal downtime.

Prepare your backup, complete the migration, thoroughly test your website, and only switch your DNS after confirming everything works correctly on Cloudways.