The Canadian Hosting Migration Checklist

Updated June 11, 2026

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 647-478-2049.

Prefer we handle it? We will migrate your sites with you. Start your migration or talk to the team.

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Take it with you

The printable version of this checklist is not published yet, so there is nothing to download here today. Ask us for the current copy and we will send it, along with a person who can walk the cutover with you.

Ask us for a copy Call 647-478-2049