Switching hosts is a sequence, not a leap. Work it in order and nothing goes dark.

This is the checklist we run ourselves, in full, on the page. There is nothing to download and nothing to fill in to read it.

Ask us to plan the move with you Call 647-478-2049
  1. 01

    Before you move

    • Inventory what is moving: domains, sites, databases, email, SSL certificates, cron jobs, DNS records.
    • Note your current specs so we can match them or right-size against them, priced in CAD.
    • Lower your DNS TTL to 300 seconds a day ahead, so the cutover propagates fast.
    • Take a full backup at the old host, files and databases, and keep a copy off-server.
  2. 02

    Set up on QILAK

    • Pick the layer: VPS, dedicated, managed or colocation. Ask us if you are unsure.
    • Provision and deploy. VPS and managed are usually minutes; dedicated ships from live stock.
    • Copy the data across: files, databases, email. We can do this part with you.
    • Install SSL and confirm it works before you touch DNS. Certificates are free.
  3. 03

    Test before you flip

    • Preview the site on QILAK with a temporary URL or a hosts-file entry.
    • Check pages, forms, logins, email send and receive, and every scheduled job.
    • Fix anything you find now. It is a much cheaper problem before the cutover than after it.
  4. 04

    Go live

    • Point DNS or the nameservers at QILAK.
    • Watch propagation. With the TTL already lowered it is usually quick.
    • Confirm SSL and email are working against the live site, not the preview.
    • Leave the old host running for a few days as a safety net, then cancel it.
  5. 05

    After the cutover

    • Set up backups on QILAK and verify the first one actually restored.
    • Raise the DNS TTL back to normal.
    • Tell us how it went. A real person is on 647-478-2049 or info@qilak.ca.

Downtime depends on your DNS, your stack and how much data has to move, so we do not publish a single number for it. Walk us through the setup and we will give you an honest window for yours.

Send us the inventory.

List what you are running and where it runs now. We will tell you what it looks like on our side, what the cutover involves, and whether moving is even worth your while.

Get started Ask a question first