Successful migrations start with documentation, not disk copies. Use this checklist to prepare conversations with your team and migration partner — whether you handle it internally or work with Hosting Llama.
Inventory and dependencies
- List all servers, domains, SSL certificates, and DNS records
- Document databases, cron jobs, email relays, and third-party integrations
- Identify which systems must move together (app + database + file storage)
- Note compliance or data residency requirements
Business constraints
- Define acceptable downtime windows and rollback criteria
- Assign decision-makers for go/no-go on cutover day
- Communicate planned maintenance to customers if needed
- Confirm backup status on source systems before any migration test
Target environment
- Choose cloud vs static vs hybrid per workload
- Size CPU, memory, and storage based on peak usage, not averages
- Plan staging that mirrors production for realistic testing
- Configure monitoring and alerting before cutover, not after
Validation and cutover
- Run test migrations and verify data integrity
- Check forms, payments, and API callbacks in staging
- Prepare DNS TTL reductions and redirect maps
- Schedule a post-cutover monitoring window with rollback ready
A written plan turns anxiety into checkpoints. Our migration assessment packages this inventory and recommendation into a deliverable you can fund incrementally.