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Migrating a web hosting contract to IONOS

Valid for Web Hosting and Managed Dedicated Servers.

This article provides information on how to move a web hosting contract to IONOS step by step. The contents of the webspace, web applications, and databases, as well as domains and email inboxes are taken into account.

Please Note

These instructions are only a general guide and cannot cover all possible import scenarios. Special initial configurations may require a different procedure. If necessary, contact IONOS Customer Support for additional assistance.

Overview of your move

The basic process of your move consists of creating a one-to-one copy of all data with your previous provider. You transfer this to IONOS and configure it for the new environment. Finally, you adjust the accessibility of your web hosting site:

  • Step 1: Back up webspace with your previous provider
  • Step 2: Back up databases with your previous provider
  • Step 3: Upload files to the IONOS webspace
  • Step 4: Create and manage databases at IONOS
  • Alternatively: Reinstall applications at IONOS
  • Step 5: Move email to IONOS
  • Step 6: Transfer domain to IONOS
  • Tips for a successful move
  • Additional information

Notes

Step 1: Back up webspace with your current provider

Webspace is the storage space on a server that is used to provide websites and web applications. To move to IONOS, first download all files to your computer so that you can transfer them to the IONOS webspace in the next step.

You can use the FTP program Filezilla, for example. The Help Center article "Transferring files with FileZilla using SFTP" explains how to do this.

Step 2: Back up databases with your previous provider

Note

This step is only necessary if you have used databases with your previous provider.

Some web applications, such as content management systems, require a database to store content and settings. To restore such web applications after a move to IONOS, a new database must be created at IONOS, the database content imported from your previous provider, and the configuration customized.

Create an export in SQL format with the database administration of your previous provider. The phpMyAdmin program is often available for this purpose. The Help Center article "Backing up MySQL/MariaDB databases with phpMyAdmin" explains how to do this.

Step 3: Upload files to the IONOS webspace

Now transfer the webspace files saved in step 1 to the IONOS webspace. You can use the FileZilla program again to do this. Please note that you must first create an SFTP/SSH user as described in the Help Center article "Creating an SFTP/SSH account". You can import this user's data into FileZilla via a configuration file. The Help Center article "Setting up FileZilla using an IONOS configuration file" explains how to do this.

Step 4: Create and manage databases in IONOS

To be able to reuse the previous database content, create a new database at IONOS. How to create a new database is explained in the Help Center article "Creating MySQL or MariaDB databases in your IONOS account". Additional information on handling databases can be found in the Help Center section "MySQL & MariaDB Databases" (Help Center > Hosting > MySQL & MariaDB Databases).

In order for the database-supported applications imported in step 3 to work again, the previous database parameters (host, user, password, database name) must be adjusted. The procedure for various content management systems is explained in the Help Center article "Changing the database configuration file of a CMS". If your application is not included, please refer to the help section of your web application for information on how to make adjustments.

Alternative: Reinstall web applications on IONOS

Notes

  • Make sure that the corresponding web application has import and export options that take all relevant data into account.

  • To ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible, both the previous web application and the new installation should have the same version.

Instead of the manual migration of existing data described above, you also have the option of reinstalling web applications and repopulating them with an export from the respective application.

You can use the Click & Build function in your IONOS account to install the most common applications quickly and easily. The Help Center article "Click & Build: Installing applications" explains how to do this.

If your application is not available in the Click & Build directory of IONOS, download an installation package from the developer and start the installation manually. The developer usually provides installation help.

Step 5: Move email to IONOS

Note

Create a backup of your email inbox before moving.

To move an email inbox from your previous provider, IONOS recommends using the audriga service. The web-based service is compatible with most email servers and services. The Help Center article "Domain transfer to IONOS: Moving emails and folders to an IONOS email account" explains how to proceed.

Further information on using the IONOS email functions can be found in the "Email" Help Center section (Help Center > Email).

Step 6: Transfer domain to IONOS

A domain is the address under which your website can be reached on the Internet, e.g. www.example.com

If you would like to transfer a domain from another provider to IONOS, you will find numerous step-by-step instructions in the "Domain Transfers" Help Center section to help you.

Alternative: Link an external domain

If you would prefer to keep your domain with your current provider, you can simply link it to your IONOS webspace. This will redirect calls to your domain to your IONOS hosting without moving the domain registration itself. The Help Center articles "Setting up an external domain at IONOS“ and ”Setting up an external domain with IONOS (detailed instructions)" explain how to proceed.

Tips for a successful move

Check PHP version

Many web applications require a specific version of the PHP scripting language in order to function properly. To avoid problems when moving applications, the PHP version should be the same for your previous provider and IONOS. You can find out how to determine the current version of PHP used by your IONOS webspace in the Help Center article "Displaying or changing PHP versions". Additional information on PHP can be found in the "PHP" Help Center section (Help Center > Hosting > PHP).

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