Getting Started
Migrating Your Website to Kapsule
Moving your website to Kapsule is straightforward, and we offer free migration assistance for eligible sites. This guide explains both the assisted migration process and how to complete a self-service migration.
Free Automated Migration
Kapsule includes free website migration for customers moving from another hosting provider. The fastest way to move is our automated self-serve migration:
- In KPanel, open Start a migration
- Choose what you are moving (website, email, or domain)
- For a website, enter your current site's address and your FTP/SFTP and database details, or upload a backup
- Kapsule automatically copies your files and database, rewrites your site URLs, and stages the site so you can test it before you switch your DNS
You can watch live progress in KPanel and get email updates as each step completes. Most migrations finish in well under an hour, though larger sites (big media libraries or WooCommerce stores) can take a couple of hours. If something cannot be moved automatically, our team is notified and finishes it for you at no extra cost.
Prefer to hand the whole thing off? On the same migration page you can request white-glove assistance and our team will do the move for you.
This free automated migration is separate from our paid, done-for-you Pro Services migration package, which adds a full hands-off migration with a zero-downtime guarantee (available under Pro Services in KPanel). Do not describe the paid package as free.
Self-Service Migration: WordPress Sites
Step 1: Export Your Current Site
Install the Duplicator or All-in-One WP Migration plugin on your existing site. Create a full backup package (files + database).
Step 2: Create a New Website in KPanel
- Log in to KPanel and go to Websites
- Click Add Website
- Enter your domain name
- Click Create
Step 3: Upload Your Files
Connect to your new Kapsule website via SFTP (see SFTP Access) and upload your files to the site root directory.
Step 4: Import Your Database
- Go to Websites in KPanel, select your site, and click Databases
- Create a new database and note the credentials
- Import your
.sqlfile using the database import tool in KPanel - Update
wp-config.phpwith the new database credentials
Step 5: Test Before Going Live
Visit your site using the temporary Kapsule URL to check all pages, images, forms, and functionality before updating DNS.
Step 6: Update Your DNS
Once the site works correctly on Kapsule, update your domain's nameservers to Kapsule's nameservers (shown in KPanel under Domains), or update the A record to point to your new Kapsule server IP.
DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours. During this window, some visitors may still see your old site. This is normal and resolves automatically.