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Steps to Migrate Your Hosting Services to Bowhosts

Thank you for considering Bowhosts for your hosting needs! We understand that migrating your hosting services can seem overwhelming, but we're here to make the process as smooth and hassle-free as possible. Below is a detailed overview of the migration steps and the information we'll need from you to get started.

Hosting Migration Options

You have two options:

1. Self-service: You can sign up for a hosting package directly on our website at www.bowhosts.com and migrate your data internally in the event that you have internal staff available to do so.
2. Assisted migration: We can handle the entire migration process for you, which is generally free unless it's a large or technically complex migration. If applicable, we will provide a quotation for any migration costs before we proceed with migrating your data.

Migration Process and Information Needed

1. Access to your current hosting account
   We will need the login details to your current hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel, Plesk) so that we can review the existing account and determine what needs to be migrated, such as website files, emails, and databases. This also helps us assess the account size to match the appropriate hosting package.
2. Email account details (Optional)
   If you'd like us to ensure that your email accounts remain identical after the migration, please provide the email usernames and passwords. This step is optional—if you prefer not to share these details, you can simply update your email passwords on your devices after the migration is complete.
3. Migration quotation (if applicable)
   For larger or more complex migrations, we may send a quotation for the migration costs. Once approved, we will proceed with the migration. For standard migrations, there is no cost.
4. Setting up your new hosting account
   After confirming that we can proceed, you'll need to sign up for a hosting account via this link or we can set up your account on your behalf by requesting that you provide us with the relevant profile details (name, email, etc.).
5. Invoice and payment
   Once your hosting account is set up, we'll issue an invoice for the hosting package (and domain registration, if applicable). Upon payment, we'll schedule the migration.
6. Migration of files and domain transfer
   We'll migrate all website files, databases, and email data from your old hosting account to your new Bowhosts account. If you're transferring a domain, you'll need to accept a domain transfer request that will be sent to the domain’s registrant admin email address. Make sure you have access to that email before we proceed.
7. Finalizing the migration
   Once the domain transfer is complete and the DNS has propagated (usually within 24-48 hours), your services will be fully migrated to Bowhosts, and your old hosting account can be canceled.

Important Things to Note

• Domain registrant email: Before we initiate the domain transfer, please confirm with your current domain host what email address is listed as the "registrant admin email." This is where the domain transfer approval request will be sent.
• External email services: If you use external email services (e.g., Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace), let us know so we can ensure your DNS records (such as MX records) are correctly updated during the migration.

Manual Migration (When No Hosting Control Panel Access)

If you do not have access to a hosting control panel (like cPanel or Plesk), we can still help with the migration, but we will need additional information from you. Here’s what we’ll need:

1. Website files backup
   Please provide a complete backup of your website files (usually via FTP or a file manager). This includes all content such as images, scripts, and any other media files used on your website.
2. Database backup
   If your website uses a database (such as WordPress), we will also need a backup of the database (usually in .sql format). This backup is essential for migrating dynamic content such as posts, products, and user data.
3. DNS zone file
   If you manage your DNS settings manually, we’ll need the DNS zone file or information about your current DNS records. This includes records such as A, MX, CNAME, and TXT, which control how your domain and emails function. If you're unsure about this, we can assist you with obtaining these records from your current host.
4. Email accounts setup
   If you're not using an external service for emails (like Microsoft 365), we’ll need a list of your email account usernames and passwords so we can set them up on our end. After the migration, you'll just need to reconnect them on your devices.
5. Migration schedule and completion
   Once we have all of the necessary information, we will complete the migration and update your DNS settings as required. We'll guide you through each step to make sure everything is up and running smoothly.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns at any point during this process. We aim to ensure that your migration is seamless and that your website and emails are back up and running without any downtime.