FNO Services Europe
Website Migration Services for Businesses
Move your website without losing control of it
FNO Services Europe provides technical website migration services for businesses moving an existing website to new hosting, a new server, a different domain or an updated technical environment.
We work with WordPress, WooCommerce, Drupal, custom PHP websites and established web applications. A migration can include website files, databases, configuration, SSL certificates, DNS records, scheduled processes and third-party integrations.
The objective is not simply to copy files. It is to understand how the current website works, move the necessary components carefully and verify that important pages, forms, orders, redirects and integrations continue operating after the move.
What is included in a website migration service?
The exact work depends on the platform, hosting environment and reason for moving. A technical website migration service may include:
Website files and code
- Website files and media
- WordPress, Drupal or custom PHP code
- Themes, modules and plugins
- Configuration files
- Private and protected files
Database migration
- MySQL or MariaDB export and import
- Database user configuration
- Character-set and collation checks
- URL and path updates
- Post-migration data verification
Hosting configuration
- PHP version and extensions
- Web-server configuration
- File permissions
- Storage and resource limits
- Cron jobs and scheduled scripts
Domain, DNS and SSL
- DNS record review
- Domain connection changes
- SSL certificate installation
- HTTPS and redirect checks
- DNS propagation planning
Testing and verification
- Important page checks
- Forms and email delivery
- Login and account functions
- Checkout and payment testing
- API and integration checks
Redirect and SEO checks
- URL mapping
- 301 redirect implementation
- Canonical URL checks
- Sitemap and robots.txt review
- Analytics and tracking verification
Types of website migration we support
Move to a new hosting provider
Transfer an existing website from an unsuitable, expensive or unsupported hosting provider to a new environment.
Move to a new server
Migrate between shared hosting, VPS platforms, cloud servers, managed hosting or another server configuration.
Change the website domain
Move a website to a new domain while managing redirects, internal links, canonical URLs and technical configuration.
Move from staging to live
Deploy a replacement or rebuilt website from a staging environment to the production domain.
Upgrade the technical environment
Move an older website to hosting that supports a newer PHP version, database version or application stack.
Consolidate several websites
Move several websites or applications into a more manageable hosting arrangement while keeping them technically separated.
WordPress migration services
A WordPress migration can appear straightforward, but established websites often contain additional dependencies beyond the normal WordPress files and database.
We can review and migrate:
- WordPress core, themes and plugins
- The uploads and media library
- The WordPress database
- Custom themes and plugin modifications
- Configuration outside the normal WordPress folders
- Scheduled tasks and server cron jobs
- Caching and security configuration
- SMTP and email-delivery settings
- External APIs and integrations
After the move, we check important pages, administration access, forms, media, scheduled tasks and visible errors.
Ongoing support is available through our WordPress maintenance plans.
WooCommerce and ecommerce migration
An ecommerce migration requires additional care because the website may continue receiving customers, payments and stock updates while preparations are being made.
Depending on the store, migration checks may include:
- Products, categories and customer accounts
- Orders and order-status data
- Payment gateway configuration
- Webhooks and callback URLs
- Shipping and tax settings
- Transactional email delivery
- Product feeds and marketplace connections
- Inventory and fulfilment integrations
- Scheduled actions and background processing
We aim to minimise disruption, but no responsible provider should promise that every migration can be completed with absolutely no risk or downtime before examining the store.
See our ongoing WooCommerce maintenance service.
Drupal and custom application migrations
Drupal and custom PHP systems may depend on private file directories, Composer packages, command-line tools, environment variables, scheduled scripts and server-specific configuration.
Before moving this type of system, we review:
- The application and PHP versions
- Composer dependencies
- Public and private file paths
- Database requirements
- Configuration and environment files
- Command-line and scheduled processes
- Server rewrite rules
- Custom modules, libraries or application code
- External services and API credentials
Older systems may require compatibility work before they can operate in a modern environment. See our application maintenance and support services.
Protecting search visibility during a website migration
A poorly planned migration can leave search engines and visitors encountering missing pages, redirect chains, incorrect canonical URLs or blocked content.
Our technical migration process can include:
- Recording important existing URLs before the move
- Maintaining the same URL structure where practical
- Mapping old URLs to appropriate new URLs
- Using permanent 301 redirects where required
- Avoiding unnecessary redirect chains
- Checking canonical tags after migration
- Reviewing robots.txt and XML sitemaps
- Confirming that production pages are indexable
- Checking analytics and conversion tracking
- Reviewing Google Search Console after launch when access is available
Our website migration process
1. Discovery
We establish what is being moved, why the migration is required and which business functions must continue working.
2. Access review
We confirm access to the current hosting, domain, DNS, website administration, database and relevant third-party services.
3. Technical assessment
We review the platform, PHP version, database, storage, integrations, scheduled processes and destination environment.
4. Migration preparation
Backups, destination configuration, test copies, URL mappings and a practical migration sequence are prepared.
5. Migration and launch
The website and required services are moved, DNS changes are applied and the live website is checked.
6. Post-migration checks
Important functions, errors, redirects, SSL, email, tracking and integrations are reviewed after launch.
Migration risks we check before starting
A migration can be delayed or complicated when control of the existing system is unclear. Common issues include:
- No current hosting or server access
- Unknown domain ownership
- Missing database credentials
- No reliable website backup
- Expired plugin, theme or software licences
- Custom code with no documentation
- Unsupported PHP or database requirements
- External integrations controlled by a former developer
- Large media or database storage requirements
- Email and DNS records that have not been documented
Where access and ownership are uncertain, begin with our Website Takeover Check.
Website migration pricing
Website migration pricing depends on the platform, size, hosting environments, integrations and level of testing required.
A simple WordPress migration and a live ecommerce or custom application migration involve very different levels of risk and responsibility.
Factors affecting the quotation include:
- Website and database size
- Platform and PHP compatibility
- Number of domains or websites
- Custom code and integrations
- Whether the domain is changing
- Redirect and URL-mapping requirements
- Downtime constraints
- Email or DNS changes
- Availability of complete access and backups
Small, clearly defined technical tasks may be handled at the normal ad-hoc rate of £35 per hour. More complex migrations, developer escalation and higher-risk work are assessed separately, normally from £55 per hour with a minimum project value of £150.
Urgent or high-risk migration and recovery work may be charged from £75 per hour, subject to availability.
Frequently asked questions
Can you move a website built by another developer?
Yes. We first review the available access, platform, hosting and any custom components before planning the migration.
Can you migrate a WordPress website to a new host?
Yes. We can migrate the WordPress files, database, configuration and relevant hosting settings, followed by post-migration checks.
Can you migrate a WooCommerce store?
Yes. Ecommerce migrations require additional checks for orders, payments, email, scheduled actions and integrations.
Will the website remain online during migration?
We plan the work to minimise disruption, but the likely downtime depends on the website, hosting providers, DNS changes and migration method.
Will migration affect Google rankings?
Any significant technical change can carry SEO risk. Retaining URLs, applying correct redirects and checking indexability can reduce avoidable problems.
Is a domain transfer the same as a website migration?
No. A domain transfer moves domain registration between registrars. A website migration moves the website, database or hosting environment. Some projects involve both.
Can you migrate email accounts as well?
Email migration can be reviewed separately. It requires information about the current mail provider, destination provider, mailbox sizes and user accounts.
Do you provide international website migrations?
Yes. FNO Services Europe is based in Portugal and works remotely with businesses in the UK, Europe and other international markets.
Plan your website migration
Tell us which website needs to be moved, where it is currently hosted and what you want to change.
We will review the available information and explain which access, backups, testing and migration steps are likely to be required.