How to migrate to ScalaHosting

Migration prep: lower risk, not cost

ScalaHosting’s Mini plan starts at $2.95/month (renews at $5.95) with 20GB storage — a budget pick, but migration isn’t automated. Their support (24/7 live chat, ticket, phone) can assist, but backups and DNS changes are on you.

1. Back up everything twice

   • Export your database manually (no auto-migration noted in the pack).
   • Download all files via FTP/SFTP — ScalaHosting uses SPanel (screenshot-confirmed), so standard protocols apply.

2. Pre-stage DNS for fast cuts

   • Lower TTL to 300 seconds (5 mins) at least 48h before migrating.
   • ScalaHosting has Dallas, New York, London, and Amsterdam datacenters — pick the closest to your audience.

Upload and test before flipping DNS

• Files/database: Upload via SPanel’s File Manager or FTP. No “staging” feature mentioned, so test via:
  • A temporary URL (e.g., server-ip/~yourusername)
  • Local hosts file edits to preview the live domain.
• Check performance: Our benchmarks show 165ms TTFB and 1.5s fully loaded time on desktop — test if this matches your origin.

Final cutover and post-move checks

1. Point DNS to ScalaHosting’s nameservers (no specific IPs in the pack — ask support).
2. Monitor uptime: Their 365-day record is 100%, but verify with uptimerobot.com.
3. Cancel the old host only after 48h of stable traffic.

Money-back safety net: 30-day refund window if performance doesn’t match our benchmarks. Keep backups until then.