Switching hosts sounds scary. It isn't — if you work the checklist. Here's the exact sequence we use to move sites and servers to QILAK with little or no downtime. (Want help? We'll do it with you — talk to the team.)
Before you move
- Inventory what you're moving — domains, sites, databases, email, SSL certs, cron jobs, DNS records.
- Note your current specs — so we can match or right-size on QILAK (CAD pricing, no surprises).
- Lower your DNS TTL to 300s a day ahead, so the cutover propagates fast.
- Take a full backup at the old host (files + databases). Keep a copy off-server.
Set up on QILAK
- Pick your service — VPS, dedicated, managed, or colocation. Not sure? Talk to the team.
- Provision and deploy — usually minutes for VPS/managed; dedicated from live stock.
- Copy your data over — files, databases, email. (We can do this with you.)
- Install SSL — free certificates, set up before you flip DNS.
Test before you flip
- Preview on QILAK using a temporary URL or hosts-file entry.
- Check everything — pages, forms, logins, email send/receive, scheduled jobs.
- Fix anything flagged — better now than after cutover.
Go live
- Update DNS / nameservers to point at QILAK.
- Watch propagation (usually fast with low TTL).
- Confirm SSL + email are working on the live site.
- Keep the old host for a few days as a safety net, then cancel.
After
- Set up backups on QILAK.
- Raise DNS TTL back to normal.
- Tell us how it went — and reach a real person any time at info@qilak.ca or 647-478-0818.
Prefer we handle it? We'll migrate your sites with you. Start your migration → or talk to the team →.