Migrating a website means moving your website data from your current hosting provider to Cloudways.
This usually includes your website files, database, media, plugins, themes, and other required application data.
Cloudways offers assisted migration to help make this process easier, especially if you do not want to move your website manually.
This guide explains how to create a migration request from the Cloudways Platform, what information you need to provide, which checks you should complete before migration, what happens during the migration process, and what to review after the migration is completed.
What is Cloudways Migration?
Cloudways Migration is a service that helps you move your website or application from another hosting provider to Cloudways.
The current hosting provider is called the source host or source server, and the Cloudways server where your website will be moved is called the destination server.
A migration request is submitted through the Cloudways Platform. Once the request is created and the required details are provided, the Cloudways migration team reviews the information and begins the migration process.
Providing complete and correct information at the start helps the migration team begin the work without delays.
It also reduces repeated communication and helps ensure a smoother migration experience.
Before You Begin
Before creating a migration request, make sure you have access to your Cloudways account and the website that you want to migrate. You should also have access to the current hosting account or server where the website is hosted.
You may need the following details during the migration request:
WordPress admin or backend login details, if your application has an admin area. The admin area is the private dashboard where you manage your website content, users, plugins, themes, or settings.
SSH, SFTP, FTP, cPanel, or other hosting access details for the source server. These details allow the migration team to access your website files and database so they can move the website to Cloudways.
Additional notes or instructions, such as specific pages to test, login flows to verify, checkout steps to check, or any special redirection rules that your website uses.
How to Create a Migration Ticket
To start the migration process, log in to your Cloudways account.
From the left-side menu, go to Integrations. This section includes Cloudways add-ons and services, including the application migration option.
On the migration page, review the available migration information and click Migrate Your Application.
The Application Migration Request form will open. This form is used to collect the details needed by the migration team.
Step #1 - Select the Application:
In the first step of the migration request, select the application which you want to migrate. This application is the destination application on your Cloudways server.
Select the product and select the application.
Click Next.
Step #2 - Add Site Details:
In the Site Details step, enter the application domain name. This is the domain name of the website you want to migrate, such as
example.com.If your application has a CMS or back-office admin area, select the relevant option. A CMS means a content management system, such as WordPress, Magento, PrestaShop, or another platform used to manage website content. A back-office admin means the private login area used to manage the website.
If your website contains a subsite, select the relevant option. A subsite is usually part of a larger website network or setup, such as a WordPress Multisite installation.
After adding the required details, click Next.
Step 3: Add Connection Details
In the Connection Details step, provide access to the source website. The source website is the website currently hosted with your existing provider.
You can choose the connection type based on what your current host supports. Common options include SSH, SFTP, FTP, cPanel, or Other Hosting.
SSH means Secure Shell. It is a secure method used to connect to a server and transfer data. SSH is usually the fastest and most stable option for migration.
SFTP means Secure File Transfer Protocol. It is used to transfer website files securely.
FTP means File Transfer Protocol. It is also used to transfer website files, but it may be less secure than SFTP or SSH depending on the source host configuration.
cPanel is a hosting control panel used by many hosting providers. If your current host uses cPanel, you may provide cPanel access if required.
If you select SSH, enter the source server username, password, host or IP address, and port. The host or IP address identifies the server where your current website is hosted. The port is the connection number used to access the server. For SSH, the default port is usually
22, unless your host uses a different port.Cloudways recommends using SSH where possible because it is the fastest and most stable method for secure data transfer.
If SSH is not available, you can upload a complete and updated website backup to a cloud storage provider, such as Google Drive, and share the backup link in the
Make sure the backup includes all required website files and the database. An incomplete or outdated backup may delay the migration.
Step #4 - Add Additional Details:
In the Additional Details step, provide any extra information that can help the migration team complete and test the migration correctly.
If your website uses a custom SSL certificate, select the relevant option. An SSL certificate helps secure the connection between your website and its visitors. It is what allows the website to load over HTTPS.
You can also mention any specific checks you want the migration team to perform. For example, if you run an ecommerce website, you can ask the team to test the add-to-cart process, checkout page, login page, registration page, or any other important user journey.
Use the Additional Notes field to provide any special instructions. For example, you can mention forced HTTPS redirection, custom redirects, special login rules, or backup links if direct server access is not available.
After adding all information, click Submit to create the migration request.
Required Information for a Smooth Migration
To avoid delays, make sure your migration request includes accurate access details.
If your website is built on WordPress or another CMS, provide the admin or backend login details. These details help the migration team review the website from the admin side when needed.
You should also provide SSH, SFTP, FTP, cPanel, or other hosting access details. These details help the team access your current website files and database.
If you cannot provide direct hosting access, share a complete website backup through a cloud storage link. The backup should be recent and should include all required files and the database.
Providing complete information at the beginning helps the migration team begin the process faster and reduces the need for repeated follow-ups.
Pre-Migration Checks
Before the migration starts, it is recommended to complete a few basic checks. These checks help reduce migration delays and help ensure that the website works properly after it is moved to Cloudways.
Check Available Disk Space
The destination Cloudways server should have enough free disk space to store the website data that will be migrated.
Disk space means the amount of storage available on your server. Your website files, database, media files, backups, logs, plugins, and themes all use disk space.
Before migration, check the size of your current website and compare it with the available space on your Cloudways server. This is especially important for websites hosted on platforms such as WP Engine or Kinsta, where the visible website size may need to be confirmed before migration.
If your website is built on WordPress, you can check the website size from the WordPress admin area. Log in to WordPress Admin, then go to Tools > Site Health > Info > Directories and Sizes. Review the total website size shown there.
After checking the website size, make sure your destination Cloudways server has enough available storage to hold the migrated website.
Check PHP Version Compatibility
Before migration, compare the PHP version on the source server and the destination Cloudways server.
PHP is the programming language used by many websites and applications, including WordPress, Magento, Laravel, PrestaShop, and custom PHP applications. If the PHP versions are not compatible, the website may show errors or behave unexpectedly after migration.
To check the PHP version on the source site, you can ask your current host, create an info.php file, or connect to the source server through SSH and run the following command:
php -v
To check the PHP version on the destination Cloudways server, log in to your Cloudways account and open your server. Go to Settings & Packages, then open the Packages tab. The PHP version is shown there. You can also modify the PHP version from this section if needed.
Click here to read the article on how to check and upgrade PHP version on Cloudways.
The PHP versions on the source and destination servers should ideally match or be within a compatible range. This helps prevent plugin conflicts, theme issues, application errors, and unexpected website behavior after migration.
What Happens During Migration
Once the migration request is submitted and the provided details are verified, the Cloudways migration team starts the migration process.
You will receive an update confirming that the migration is in progress. The standard migration SLA is 24 hours per site. An SLA, or Service Level Agreement, is the expected time frame for completing a service request.
During migration, the Cloudways team transfers the website data from the source host to the Cloudways destination server. This may include website files, database content, media files, and other required application data.
After the migration is completed, another update is shared with guidance on what to review, which validation checks to perform, and what actions to take before updating DNS records.
Post-Migration Checks and Next Steps
After the migration is completed, the migrated website should be reviewed carefully before pointing the live domain to Cloudways.
Start by checking the website layout. Make sure the design, images, fonts, menus, headers, footers, and page structure look correct.
Next, test the important internal pages of the website. Open the homepage, main service pages, product pages, blog pages, contact page, and any other important pages.
If your website includes user actions, test the key functions. For example, check the add-to-cart process, checkout process, login form, registration form, contact form, search feature, and any other important website feature.
If your website is an ecommerce store, it is especially important to test the cart and checkout flow before updating DNS.
DNS means Domain Name System. It connects your domain name, such as example.com, to the server where your website is hosted. Updating DNS is usually the final step that sends live website traffic to the new Cloudways server.
Cloudways recommends reviewing the migrated website before DNS is updated so any issue can be identified and fixed before visitors start using the Cloudways-hosted version of the site.
Performance Optimization After Migration
Once the migrated website is confirmed to be stable and working properly, performance optimization tools may be installed and configured to help improve the website’s speed and performance.
These tools include Breeze and Object Cache Pro.
Breeze is a Cloudways caching plugin that helps improve WordPress website performance by managing cache and optimization settings. Cache means stored website data that helps pages load faster for visitors.
Object Cache Pro is a performance tool that helps improve database-related performance for supported WordPress websites. It helps reduce repeated database requests and can improve response times for dynamic websites.
These tools do not carry an additional cost when configured as part of the migration process.
Service Ready Confirmation
After all migration and validation checks are completed, the engineer shares a Service Ready ticket.
The Service Ready ticket confirms that the migration has been completed successfully. It also includes guidance on the next steps you should follow before updating DNS records.
Review this ticket carefully and follow the recommended steps before pointing your domain to Cloudways.
Supported Applications
Cloudways assisted migration supports several popular applications and frameworks, including WordPress, Magento, Laravel, PrestaShop, and custom PHP applications.
A framework is a development structure used to build websites or web applications. Laravel is an example of a PHP framework. A custom PHP application is a website or web application built using PHP without relying fully on a standard CMS.
If you are not sure which CMS or framework your website uses, contact Cloudways Support. The team can review the website’s file structure and help identify the application or framework.
Important Notes and Best Practices
Always provide accurate login and hosting access details. Incorrect credentials can delay the migration.
Use SSH access where possible because it is faster, more stable, and more secure for transferring website data.
If SSH access is not available, provide a complete and recent backup through a cloud storage link.
Check your website size before submitting the migration request to make sure your Cloudways server has enough disk space.
Compare the PHP versions on the source and destination servers before migration to avoid compatibility issues.
Add clear testing instructions in the migration request if your website has important flows, such as checkout, login, registration, membership access, or booking forms.
Review the migrated website carefully before updating DNS records.
That’s it! We hope this article was helpful.
Need Help?
If you need assistance, feel free to:
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Or create a support ticket anytime.
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