Moving off GoDaddy is mostly about doing things in the right order so your site and email never go dark. Here's the safe sequence.
Plenty of UK businesses leave GoDaddy for faster servers, clearer pricing and local support. The move is simpler than it looks, and you don't have to do it alone.
1. Don't cancel anything yet
Keep your GoDaddy account active until the move is fully finished and tested. Cancelling early is the number-one cause of downtime and lost email.
2. Copy your website to the new host
Export your site (files + database) or use a migration plugin, and set it up on your new UK host first. Test it on a temporary URL before changing anything public. See our WordPress migration guide.
3. Plan your email move
If your email is GoDaddy/Microsoft 365 through GoDaddy, decide where it's going (e.g. Microsoft 365) and migrate mailboxes before switching DNS so nothing is lost.
4. Lower DNS TTL, then switch
Drop your domain's TTL a day ahead, then update nameservers or records to the new host. You can keep the domain registered at GoDaddy and just point it, see pointing your domain.
5. Verify, then cancel
Once DNS has propagated and you've confirmed the site and email work, you can safely cancel GoDaddy hosting. Consider transferring the domain too for simpler renewals.
Key takeaways
- Set up the new host before touching DNS.
- Migrate email before switching the MX record.
- Keep GoDaddy active until everything is tested.
- You can keep your domain and just repoint it.
Free migration from GoDaddy
We'll move your site and email off GoDaddy to fast UK servers, free, tested, no downtime.
Get a free migrationFrequently asked questions
Will I lose my website or emails moving from GoDaddy?
Not if you copy everything across and test before switching DNS. Done in order, the move is seamless.
Do I have to transfer my domain away from GoDaddy?
No. You can leave it registered there and just point it at the new host. Transferring is optional.
Can Gander Web do the move for me?
Yes. We run free migrations from GoDaddy, including testing and the DNS cut-over.