Migration
Good evening,
we would need to migrate to another web hosting provider and we would need some information:
1. Is it possible to transfer DNS management to another provider without interrupting the service?
2. Is it possible to keep the mailboxes active on Inmotion while having the website domain and web hosting on another provider?
Thanks in advance,
best regards.
Hello,
Thanks for your questions! It is possible to migrate to another host and keep email active here at InMotion. I'll explain in more detail below:
Yes, but you will need to keep your existing service running while the new service is being setup. Once, you set up your new hosting service there will be a short propagation period when the DNS will transfer to its new location. The time that it takes for the DNS to change is known as DNS propagation and is typically 24 hours or less. Since you're also asking that email remain at InMotion, then you would need to keep the old hosting service running.
Keep in mind that if you can't finish the migration of the website to the new location in 24 hours or less (the domain propagation period), then you would need to change the A record for the website in your DNS at the new location to point to the IP address of the old hosting service (at InMotion).
In my opinion, if you want to make your move appear seamless then you should keep the service running at the old server (don't change the nameservers for your domain name) then work at the new location to setup your website. Once you're ready, change the nameservers and allow for 24 hour period for the DNS to change. DNS propagation typically is quicker than 24 hours, but we estimate the time to be up to a 24 hours in the event of a delay. Also, keep in mind that if you have an ecommerce site or other website that takes data from your viewers, then that data will exist on the old server UNTIL the DNS changes. If you want to avoid the headache of moving records or merging databases, then you should announce a hold on transactions to your customers/viewers when you're migrating.
So, the main answer is YES, you can do both. However, you need to make the decision about where the DNS will be controlled for your domain. If you want have more control over the DNS at your new host, then your DNS should be managed from there.
You can avoid making changes to the MX records here, and maintain your hosting account and still have your website at a new host. However, you will be required to change the MX records at the new location once the DNS authority has passed to your new host.
Another important thing to understand is that email requires a hosting subscription. So, you would need to maintain the hosting account here if you intend to let us manage your emails.
I hope that helps to clarify the matter and answer your questions. If you have any further questions or comments, please let us know.
Kindest Regards,
Arnel C.