Transferring a domain to a new host with minimal downtime requires careful planning. Here’s the best approach:

1. Choose Your New Hosting Provider & Set It Up

• Sign up with the new hosting provider.
• Set up your website, including files, databases, email accounts, and any necessary configurations.
• Test the new hosting environment using a temporary URL or staging domain. This is hosting provider specific so you should check with them.

2. Lower the TTL (Time-To-Live) on Your DNS Records

• In your current DNS settings (likely managed by your domain registrar or old host), lower the TTL value for your domain to 300 seconds (5 minutes).
• This ensures that when you update your DNS, changes propagate quickly.
• Do this 24-48 hours before switching hosts.

3. Complete the Migration of Your Website Files & Databases

• If your current site has had any updates since you set up the site on the new hosting provider make sure that you transfer those updates to the new site.
• Export and import your database if applicable.

4. Test the New Host Before Switching DNS

• Use a hosts file modification on your local computer to test the new host before changing the domain settings.

  192.134.45.678 example.com

• Ensure everything works correctly.

• Remove the hosts file modification (very important)

5. Update Your Domain’s DNS Records

• If you’re keeping the same domain registrar and name servers, update the A record (for website) and MX records (for email) to point to the new host.
• If you’re transferring the domain to a new registrar, update the name servers to the new hosting provider.

6. Monitor & Verify

• Check that the site is live on the new host.
• Use nslookup or dig commands or an online checker to verify DNS propagation.
• Keep the old hosting account active for 48-72 hours as a fallback.

7. Raise the TTL Back Up

• Once everything is stable, increase the TTL back to a higher value (e.g., 3600 seconds or more) for normal operation.