It is great that you want to learn about migrating to VPS Hosting. Kudos for planning to take the next step.

Moving to VPS hosting offers more control, resources, and responsibilities, much like upgrading from a crowded apartment to a spacious townhouse. Just as each living situation requires careful planning and execution, so does the migration from shared hosting to VPS.

To migrate a website from shared hosting to VPS hosting, you will need to:

  • Backup your website files and database.
  • Set up your VPS environment.
  • Transfer the files and database to the VPS.
  • Update the DNS settings.
  • Test the website to ensure it is working properly.

If all of this sounds overwhelming, BigRock makes it easier!

Our Website Migration Service comes with a team of hosting experts who will assist in moving your site to VPS hosting.

Want to learn how to do it yourself? Here is our detailed guide to help you.

Step-by-step Guide for Migrating from Shared Hosting to VPS Hosting 

1. Secure Your website 

  • First, back up your site files and databases before moving them to the new server.
  • Start by logging into the Control Panel of your current web server.
  • Access your hosting account using an FTP client like FileZilla.
  • Locate your website files, typically in the root folder, and export them to create an archive of your site data.
  • For the database, access phpMyAdmin from the Control Panel. Select the relevant database, click Export, and then confirm the information before clicking Go to complete the process.

If you need to keep your email correspondence, download your messages using your email client before proceeding.

2. Configure your VPS 

While web hosting providers often handle this step, self-managed VPS users may need to configure their servers themselves. Most servers utilize the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP), but other server technologies, such as Nginx, PostgreSQL, or Python, can also be configured.

Start with installing and configuring your chosen operating system and software stack. Make sure to secure your server by setting up a firewall and implementing best practices for SSH access. Update your software regularly to protect it against vulnerabilities. Check with your provider to see what options and support are available to assist you in this process.

3. Upload website data to your new VPS 

Now, it is time to transfer your backup from the previous step to your new virtual server. This can be done easily over a secure SSH connection. You will need the location and destination of the backup file on the server. Your command might look like this:

scp ~ / Downloads / backup_db.sql.gz username @ server_ip address:

username scp ~/Downloads/wp-content.zip@server_ip_address

Alternatively, you can use your FTP client to handle the file transfer. To restore the database, access phpMyAdmin in your new server’s control panel. Navigate to the desired database and select the Import option. This will enable you to choose a database file from your local computer and upload it to your server.

4. Verify everything 

Once you have migrated your site from shared hosting to the new VPS, it is essential to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

  • Load your website to check if it displays as expected.
  • Test all relevant plugins and functionalities to confirm that no errors occurred during the migration.
  • Verify that all links, forms, and interactive elements are working properly.

It is also a good idea to review server logs for any issues or warnings. Performing thorough testing will help you identify and address any potential problems before your site goes live to users.

5, Update your domain DNS 

For your website to operate on the new VPS, you will need to update your domain’s DNS settings.

  • Log into your domain registrar’s account and find the option to update the nameservers.
  • Input the nameserver details given by your VPS provider and save the changes.

Keep in mind that DNS updates can take 24-48 hours to propagate globally, so there may be a delay before the changes take full effect.

Looks like a lot of work? Well, it does come with loads of benefits!

ALSO READ: What is VPS Hosting and How to boost your website with VPS Hosting

Reasons to Upgrade to VPS Hosting 

Knowing your upgrade options is valuable, but how do you determine when it is time to transfer from shared hosting to a VPS?

Here are a few indicators that it could be time for an upgrade:

1. Performance issues

In shared hosting, multiple users share the same server resources, leading to unpredictable performance. This means that the server’s resources, such as CPU, RAM, and bandwidth, are shared among all the websites. As a result, if one website experiences a spike in traffic or uses more resources, it can impact the performance of other websites on the same server.

If you are running a business or an e-commerce site, website speed is crucial. VPS hosting can provide the better performance required for a smoother user experience.

2. Insufficient CPU/RAM 

VPS hosting provides scalability, enabling you to expand resources as required. This means you can easily increase or decrease the amount of CPU and RAM your website uses based on your needs. For example, if your website starts getting more traffic and requires more processing power or memory, you can upgrade your plan to add more CPU cores or RAM.

For example, as an e-learning platform permanently grows its user base and course offerings, it can increase CPU and RAM resources with VPS hosting. This ensures a smooth and responsive experience for students accessing courses and live sessions.

3. Security concerns 

Security risks in shared hosting can arise if another account on the same server is compromised. In 2018, GoDaddy, a major web hosting company, faced a serious security breach. Hackers took advantage of a flaw in their shared hosting system and accessed several customer accounts. This incident showed the dangers of shared hosting, where one compromised account can affect others on the same server.

VPS hosting isolates each user’s environment, reducing the risk of cross-account security breaches and offering a more secure solution.

4. Need for customization 

Shared hosting environments often restrict the ability to make server-level adjustments, as changes affect all users on the server. For example, if you wanted to install a special software or change security settings, you might not be able to do so because it could affect everyone else’s websites. With a VPS, you have greater control and flexibility to customize the server settings to meet your specific needs.

ALSO READ: VPS Hosting: 7 Must-Have Features

 

Conclusion –

Make sure all files are removed from your shared hosting folders and that you have completed a full backup of your site. It is important to verify this thoroughly, as it is common to inadvertently leave files behind.

We hope this guide helped you understand the process of migration from shared hosting to VPS hosting.

If you still have any questions or suggestions, leave them in the comment section below. We will be happy to help.