Changing hosting without losing your domain is entirely possible if you follow a clear order and take care of a few key points. In this guide, we explain how to do it step by step, without technical jargon and avoiding common mistakes.
Changing hosting providers can be scary, especially if your website is already online and running. The most common question is clear: Will I lose my web domain or my site if I change hosting providers?
The short answer is no. Your domain and your hosting are different services. If you do the process correctly, you can migrate hosting without losing your domain, your content, or your emails.
In this article, we explain how to do it simply, safely, and with real examples, designed for both those who are just starting out and those who already have some experience.
Domain and hosting: what each one is (explained simply)
Before we begin, it is important to understand this difference:
Web domain: this is your site’s address (for example: yoursite.com)
Hosting: this is where your website files are stored
You can change hosting providers as many times as you want without changing your domain. The domain simply “points” to the hosting provider you choose.
Why change hosting without losing your domain?
Some common reasons are:
- Your website loads slowly
- Support is unresponsive
- You’ve run out of space or resources
- You want a more reliable provider like Neolo
Changing hosting is a normal decision when growing a website.
How to change hosting without losing my domain (step by step)
1. Sign up for the new hosting before moving anything
Never cancel your current hosting until the migration is complete. Ideally, you should have both services active at the same time.
At Neolo you can choose:
- Shared hosting (ideal for most sites)
- VPS or dedicated server (more control and complete environment)
2. Copy your website files
From your current hosting, download:
- Website files
- Databases (if you use WordPress or another system)
This is usually done from the control panel of your current provider.
If you need more control, full access to the environment, or to work via console, we recommend a VPS or dedicated server.
3. Upload the files to the new hosting
Once you have contracted hosting with Neolo:
- Log in to the control panel
- Upload the website files
- Import the database if applicable
Little-known tip: you can upload the site first and test it using a temporary URL before changing the domain.
4. Change the domain’s DNS
This is the key step to changing hosting without losing your domain.
You must:
- Log in to the panel where you purchased your domain
- Replace the DNS with Neolo’s
The change can take between 1 and 24 hours. During that time, your site may be viewed on one server or the other, which is normal.
5. Verify that everything is working correctly
Before completing the process, check:
- That the website loads properly
- Forms and links
- Emails associated with the domain
Once you have confirmed that everything is working, you can cancel your previous hosting service.
Common mistakes when migrating hosting (and how to avoid them)
- Canceling the old hosting too early
- Not making a backup
- Forgetting to move emails
- Changing DNS without checking the new site
Avoiding these mistakes saves you downtime and headaches.
FAQs
Will I lose my domain if I change hosting?
No. The domain is independent of the hosting.
Will my website go down during the change?
If you do it correctly, it should not go down or it will be imperceptible.
Do I need technical knowledge?
Not advanced. With clear guidance, you can do it without any problems.
Does Neolo perform migrations?
The support team can guide and help you according to the plan you have contracted. They are free of charge.
Conclusion
Changing hosting without losing your domain is a safe process if you follow the correct steps. The key is to plan, not rush, and check everything before finalizing.
If you are looking for a reliable provider with support in Spanish and options for growth, Neolo is an excellent alternative.