Once the website and email data have been migrated to the new hosting package, the final step is to direct the domain to the new server.
This is completed by updating the domain’s DNS records or nameservers. Until this change is made, the website and email services may continue loading from the previous hosting provider.
DNS Activation
After the migration has been completed, we may provide the relevant DNS settings that must be applied to the domain.
These settings may include:
- Nameserver details
- Website A records
- Email MX records
- SPF, DKIM and DMARC records
- Additional verification or service records
Updating the DNS is the most important part of the final changeover because it determines where the domain’s website and email services are delivered.
Where Modus Systems manages the domain’s DNS, we will make the required changes. Where the DNS remains under another provider, the customer or current provider may need to apply the settings supplied by us.
The previous hosting service should remain active until the DNS changes have propagated and the new services have been tested successfully.
Email Access Required
To migrate the existing email data, please provide one of the following:
Option 1: Existing Email Passwords
Provide a complete list of the email addresses associated with the domain, together with the corresponding mailbox passwords.
For example:
Passwords and other sensitive information should only be submitted using the secure method provided by Modus Systems.
Option 2: Permission to Reset the Passwords
Where the existing passwords are unavailable, you may authorise us to reset the mailbox passwords.
If permission is provided, please also supply an alternative email address that is not associated with the domain being migrated.
This alternative address is required so that we can communicate with you if the domain-based email accounts are temporarily unavailable during the migration.
Payment Confirmation
Migration work can only begin once the required payment has cleared and has been allocated to the customer account.
Electronic funds transfer payments may take time to reflect, depending on the banks involved and when the payment was made.
Where an online payment option is available through the customer dashboard, payment can be made directly against the relevant invoice. Online payments are normally allocated more quickly, and a confirmation will be issued once the payment has been received.
Please notify us after making an online payment if the migration is time-sensitive.
Payments Made After Hours or Over Weekends
Migration and professional services are completed during normal business hours.
The Professional Services team does not ordinarily process migrations:
- After business hours
- Over weekends
- On public holidays
Where an EFT payment is made during these periods, the payment and migration request will be reviewed on the next business day.
Customers should therefore avoid scheduling the cancellation of their previous hosting service until payment has cleared, the migration has been completed and the new services have been confirmed as operational.
What Happens Next?
Once payment has been confirmed and the required email access has been provided, we will:
- Create the email accounts on the new hosting package.
- Copy the existing website and email data.
- Perform initial website and mailbox checks.
- Provide or apply the required DNS settings.
- Update the domain to point to the new hosting environment.
- Monitor the changeover and complete the final email synchronisation.
- Confirm when the migration has been completed.
The customer should then test the website, email accounts, contact forms and other important services before cancelling the previous hosting package.