Website migration & relaunch in Adelaide
Move or relaunch a business website with the domain, hosting, email dependencies and customer experience considered together.
Last updated
The short answer
Moving a website to a new host or platform safely means mapping every page, form and DNS record first, including email records on the same domain. WaTo Consulting builds the new site on a staging address for Adelaide businesses, sets page by page redirects and keeps the old site running until the new one is confirmed working.
What does website migration & relaunch involve?
Before anything moves, we record every page address, form, redirect, tracking code and DNS record the current site depends on, including the email records that often share the same domain. The new site or host is built and checked on a temporary address while the old one keeps running. At launch we switch DNS, put redirects in place for changed pages and watch for errors in forms, email delivery and Google Search Console.
What WaTo can help with
Pre-move review
Map the current site, hosting, domain, forms, analytics and connected services.
Migration plan
Choose the safest route to move or rebuild without unnecessary downtime.
Launch checks
Test forms, email notifications, mobile use and important public pages before launch.
After-launch support
Monitor the transition and resolve the loose ends that surface after going live.
Sites we build and host
Ten at random from our web portfolio. Click one for the full gallery.
Who it is for
- A business moving off a host that is shutting down, getting more expensive or no longer answering support tickets.
- Owners rebuilding an old WordPress or Joomla site onto a new design or platform.
- A business whose domain is registered to a former web developer and needs bringing back under its own name.
- Companies rebranding to a new domain name that want customers and Google to follow them.
How it works
- We take stock of the current site. Pages, files, databases, DNS records, form destinations and logins are captured, and a full backup is taken.
- We build or copy to the new home. The site is set up on the new host or platform at a staging address so you can review it before anyone else sees it.
- We prepare the cutover. Old addresses are mapped to new ones for redirects, the DNS time to live is lowered and the launch is timed for a quiet part of the week.
- We switch over and keep watching. Once DNS changes we test forms, email, SSL and mobile pages, submit the new sitemap and check for errors over the following weeks.
Why WaTo for website migration & relaunch
- We check email and DNS records alongside the website, so mail keeps flowing when the domain moves.
- Redirects are mapped page by page rather than sending every old link to the home page.
- We host websites too, so we can move you onto our hosting or work with the host you prefer.
- The old site stays available until the new one is confirmed working.
Website migration & relaunch questions
Will the website go offline during the migration?
Usually not at all. The new site is ready and tested before the switch, and both versions run side by side while the DNS change spreads, which can take a few hours. Most visitors will not notice anything happened.
Do we need to move our domain registration too?
Not always. The domain can stay where it is and simply point to the new host, but if it is registered under a former developer's or agency's account we recommend moving it into the business's name. We handle the transfer and check the renewal details while we are there.
Can you move the site and redesign it at the same time?
Yes, though it is often safer in two stages. Moving the existing site first keeps hosting problems separate from design changes, and the new design then launches onto a stable platform. If the old site is beyond saving, a rebuild and relaunch in one go makes more sense, and we will tell you which suits.
How do I move my website to a new host without losing anything?
Back up the site, files and databases, copy them to the new host and test them there before changing anything, then switch the domain over. Email often lives on the same hosting, so that has to be planned too. We handle the whole move.
Will changing my website lose our Google rankings?
Not if the move is handled carefully. Keeping the same page addresses where possible, redirecting the ones that change and checking the site after launch protects the rankings you already have.
Related services
Guides on this topic
- Website redesign checklist: improve the site without losing what already works
- Do I need a new website, or can the old one be fixed?
Ready to get website migration & relaunch sorted?
Send us your current website address and tell us where you want to move it. We will plan the move so your domain, email and search rankings stay intact.
Mon to Fri, 8:30am to 5pm
