Last updated: January 13, 2026

Migrating a WordPress site can feel like defusing a bomb—one wrong step and you risk downtime, broken pages, lost orders, or SEO turbulence.
The good news is that a “no-downtime” migration is absolutely achievable when you treat it as a controlled cutover: you clone the site first,
test everything on the new host, then switch DNS at the right moment with the right settings.

In this guide, you’ll get a practical, step-by-step process to move your WordPress site to Kinsta with minimal risk and near-zero disruption—
including a pre-migration checklist, DNS and TTL strategy, testing workflow, and a post-launch verification plan.

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What “No Downtime” Migration Really Means

A true “no downtime” migration does not mean your site magically teleports between hosts in one instant.
It means users can continue visiting your site during the move because:

• You clone the site to Kinsta first (the new site is private or on a temporary URL).
• You test the cloned site (plugins, forms, checkout, login, media, redirects, etc.).
• You switch traffic by updating DNS records—and you do it in a controlled way using TTL settings.
• You keep the old host active during the DNS propagation window so visitors never hit a dead end.

In other words: the migration work happens before you go live, and the “go live” moment becomes a simple DNS flip.

If you run a dynamic site (WooCommerce, LMS, membership, forums), the main extra concern is data changes—new orders, new posts,
new user signups—between the time you clone and the time you switch DNS. We’ll cover how to handle this later.

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Choose Your Migration Path (Kinsta Team vs DIY)

Kinsta gives you multiple migration options, and the best choice depends on your risk tolerance, technical comfort, and how “live” your site is.
Many site owners prefer using Kinsta’s migration team so they can focus on testing and cutover instead of moving files and databases manually.

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Pre-Migration Checklist (Do This First)

Do not skip this section. Most “migration disasters” are not caused by the migration itself—they’re caused by missing preparation.
Use this checklist to make the cutover predictable.

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Step-by-Step: Migrate to Kinsta Without Downtime

Step 1) Create your Kinsta plan and open MyKinsta

Start by choosing a Kinsta plan that matches your current setup (number of sites, traffic, storage).
Once you have access to MyKinsta, you can request a migration or set up a new WordPress install as the destination.

Step 2) Request a migration (recommended)

In MyKinsta, submit a migration request and choose whether you want it done ASAP or scheduled.
Scheduling is ideal if your site is continuously updated (stores, communities, membership sites) because it helps you plan a clean cutover window.

• Choose a schedule: ASAP or a specific date/time window.
• Provide access: current host login details, WordPress admin (if requested), and any special instructions.
• Share edge cases: forced HTTPS rules, special redirects, reverse proxies, or large file storage.

Step 3) Wait for the migrated copy, then test thoroughly

When the migration is complete, Kinsta will provide a way to access the migrated site (often via a temporary URL).
Before touching DNS, test the migrated site like a QA engineer—not like a casual visitor.

Test this minimum set:

• Homepage + key landing pages
• Menus, internal links, and images/media
• Forms (contact, newsletter signup, lead-gen)
• Login/logout flows
• Search, filters, and important plugins
• Checkout/cart (for WooCommerce)
• Custom scripts: analytics, pixels, tag manager
• Redirects (301/302) if you’ve migrated before

If anything looks off, document it and fix it on Kinsta before going live. This is the “hidden power” of the no-downtime approach:
problems are discovered while traffic is still safely on the old host.

Step 4) Prepare your domain inside Kinsta

In MyKinsta, add your domain(s) to the WordPress site, set the primary domain, and confirm the required DNS records you’ll need to update.
If you use multiple subdomains (blog, shop, app, CDN), list them now so nothing is forgotten.

Step 5) Enable SSL and confirm HTTPS behavior

You want HTTPS to be correct on day one. Confirm that your site loads securely and that mixed content warnings (HTTP images/scripts) are resolved.
Then verify that canonical URLs are set properly (especially if you are switching between www and non-www).

Step 6) Perform the DNS cutover (the “go live” moment)

Once you’re satisfied with testing, it’s time to point your domain to Kinsta.
This is where most downtime comes from—but only when TTL and DNS are handled poorly.
Use the DNS + TTL plan below to do it cleanly.

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DNS + TTL Cutover Plan (The Downtime Killer)

DNS is the most common cause of “downtime” during migrations, not the host itself.
Your goal is to make DNS propagation predictable and keep the old host available until the switch completes globally.

1) Reduce TTL 24–48 hours before cutover

TTL (Time To Live) controls how long resolvers cache your DNS records.
If the TTL is high (e.g., 24 hours), the DNS switch can take much longer for some users.
If the TTL is low (e.g., 1 hour), changes spread faster and the split-traffic window shrinks.

• If your current TTL is high, change it to 1 hour at least one day before cutover.
• Do not change TTL at the last minute and expect instant results—TTL changes take time to “settle.”

2) Update only what needs to change (A/AAAA/CNAME), keep the rest intact

Most WordPress migrations require updating the website’s DNS records (commonly A record and/or CNAME),
but your email records (MX), verification records (TXT), and other services must remain correct.

3) Keep the old host live during propagation

Even with a low TTL, some visitors may still reach the old server briefly.
Keeping the old host active ensures they still see a working site.
After traffic stabilizes on Kinsta, you can decommission the old host safely.

4) Verify propagation + performance

After the switch:

• Check that your domain resolves to the new IP.
• Open the site on mobile data + a different network (or use multiple devices) to spot split behavior.
• Confirm SSL, redirects, and caching are behaving as expected.

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Special Notes for WooCommerce, Memberships, and Dynamic Sites

If your site changes constantly, a basic “clone → test → DNS switch” can still work, but you must manage the data-change window.
Here are practical approaches:

Option A) Schedule the migration close to cutover

If you can schedule the migration, request it during your lowest traffic window so the time between “copy created” and “DNS switch” is minimal.
This reduces the chance of missing new orders, new posts, or new members.

Option B) Use a short “content freeze” window

For some sites, the simplest solution is a temporary freeze:

• Content sites: ask editors not to publish for 30–60 minutes during cutover.
• Memberships: avoid major campaigns during cutover.
• WooCommerce: consider scheduling cutover during off-peak hours to reduce new-order volume.

Option C) Validate critical workflows twice

On dynamic sites, test checkout/login flows before DNS switch and again immediately after.
If you use payment gateways, confirm webhook settings and callback URLs are correct post-cutover.

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Post-Migration Validation Checklist

Once DNS is pointed to Kinsta, your work is not done. This checklist helps prevent “silent failures” that show up later as lost leads or SEO drops.

• Speed: run a quick performance test and compare with the old host.
• Uptime monitoring: confirm your monitoring is still active and correct.
• Forms: submit test leads and verify you receive them.
• Checkout: place a real (or test) order and confirm emails + payment status.
• Media: spot-check image-heavy pages and sliders.
• Search Console: monitor coverage and crawl errors in the following days.
• Backups: ensure backups are configured and retention meets your needs.
• Redirects: validate important 301 redirects (especially if you migrated before).

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Common Migration Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Switching DNS before testing: Always test the migrated copy first. If it’s broken, fix it while traffic stays on the old host.
2. Ignoring TTL: High TTL values make propagation unpredictable. Lower TTL ahead of time to reduce the split-traffic window.
3. Breaking email by changing nameservers carelessly: If you switch nameservers, you must copy existing DNS records (MX/TXT/CNAME) first.
4. Forgetting third-party scripts: Analytics, pixels, tag managers, and ad scripts can “disappear” if not included in the migrated environment.
5. Not accounting for dynamic data changes: Stores and membership sites need a cutover plan that minimizes the copy-to-live window.

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Key Takeaways

• A no-downtime migration is a tested clone + controlled DNS cutover, not a live “move while users watch.”
• Lowering DNS TTL in advance is one of the biggest factors in avoiding downtime and confusion.
• Test beyond the homepage: validate forms, login, checkout, and scripts before switching DNS.
• Dynamic sites (WooCommerce/memberships) should schedule cutover and minimize the time between migration copy and DNS switch.
• Keep the old host live during propagation and verify everything again post-cutover.

FAQs

Will my WordPress site have downtime during a Kinsta migration?

A properly planned migration can avoid downtime by migrating a copy first, testing it, and then switching DNS.
Downtime typically happens due to DNS mistakes or switching too early.

How long does a WordPress migration to Kinsta take?

Time varies by site size and complexity. In general, the migration itself can be completed within business-day timelines,
and you can schedule the move for sites with special requirements. The DNS cutover is usually the shortest step when TTL is set correctly.

Do I need to cancel my old host before migrating?

No. Keep your old hosting active until DNS propagation is complete and you have verified the new site thoroughly.
Then cancel the old host when you’re confident the cutover is stable.

What if I run WooCommerce—can I still avoid downtime?

Yes, but you should schedule cutover during off-peak hours and minimize the window between the migrated copy and the DNS switch.
Always test checkout and payment flows before and after going live.

Will migrating affect SEO?

If you keep the same domain, preserve URLs, and ensure redirects and HTTPS are correct, SEO impact is usually minimal.
Most SEO issues come from broken redirects, mixed content, or accidental indexing of test environments.

Do I need to change nameservers or just DNS records?

It depends on how you manage DNS. Many migrations only require updating A/CNAME records.
If you change nameservers, you must replicate all existing DNS records first to avoid breaking email and services.

What should I test first after going live?

Start with your money paths: checkout (if applicable), lead forms, login, and critical landing pages.
Then verify analytics, pixels, and Search Console coverage over the next few days.

References

• Kinsta Docs: Migrating to Kinsta
• Kinsta: Free WordPress Migrations (No downtime)
• Kinsta Docs: Domains and DNS
• Kinsta Docs: Kinsta DNS (Copy records before changing nameservers)
• Kinsta Blog: DNS Propagation Guide
• Kinsta Blog: What is TTL?
• WordPress.org: Migrate Guru Plugin