What to Expect During Your Website Transfer: DNS Propagation and the Go-Live Process

Introduction

You've prepared everything for your website transfer, gathered all your DNS records, and your new site is ready to launch. Now comes the part that makes most business owners nervous: the actual transfer process. What exactly happens when your web developer "flips the switch" on your new website?

Understanding the technical process behind website transfers can transform anxiety into confidence. While the process involves complex systems working behind the scenes, knowing what to expect helps you prepare your business and team for a smooth transition.

The Website Transfer Process: Your Role

Once your web developer has migrated your website files and set up your new site, there's one critical step that you'll need to handle: updating your nameservers.

What Are Nameservers?

Think of nameservers as the internet's GPS system for your domain. When someone types your website address, nameservers tell their browser where to find your website. During a transfer, you're essentially updating this GPS to point to your new website location.

Your Nameserver Update Task

Your web developer will provide you with new nameservers (they'll look something like ns1.squarespace.com and ns2.squarespace.com). You'll need to log into your domain registrar (where you purchased your domain name) and update these nameservers.

Important: This is typically the only step you'll handle directly. Your web developer won't access your domain registrar account – you maintain complete control over your domain ownership.

Understanding DNS Propagation

After you update your nameservers, a critical process called DNS propagation begins. This is where things get interesting – and sometimes frustrating.

What Is DNS Propagation?

DNS propagation is the time it takes for your nameserver changes to update across all DNS servers worldwide. Imagine the internet as having thousands of phone books, and you just changed your business address. It takes time for all those phone books to get updated with your new information.

Timeline Expectations

Typical Range: 4-48 hours (sometimes up to 72 hours)
Most Common: Changes complete within 24 hours
Factors Affecting Speed:

  • Your old DNS records' Time to Live (TTL) settings

  • Your internet service provider's caching policies

  • Geographic location of DNS servers

  • Time of day and internet traffic

Why Timing Varies

Several factors influence how quickly propagation completes:

TTL Settings: If your old DNS records had high TTL values, servers will hold onto old information longer before checking for updates.

ISP Caching: Some internet service providers ignore TTL settings and cache DNS information longer than recommended, which can delay updates for users on those networks.

Geographic Distribution: DNS servers around the world update at different rates, so someone in California might see your new site while someone in New York still sees the old one.

What to Expect During Propagation

Inconsistent Website Access

During propagation, your website experience will be unpredictable:

  • Mixed Visibility: Some visitors see your new site while others see your old site

  • Personal Experience Varies: You might see your old site, then new site, then old site again when refreshing

  • Geographic Differences: Visitors in different locations may have completely different experiences

This inconsistency is completely normal and temporary.

Email Service Interruptions

If your email service uses your domain name, expect some temporary disruptions:

Potential Issues:

  • Delayed email delivery

  • Occasional bounced emails

  • Inconsistent email access

  • Some emails routing to old servers, others to new

Minimizing Email Impact:

  • Avoid sending critical emails during peak propagation (first 24 hours)

  • Inform your team about potential delays

  • Have alternative communication methods ready

  • Check both old and new email systems if possible

Monitoring Your Transfer Progress

Checking Propagation Status

You can monitor propagation progress using online tools:

Recommended Tools:

  • WhatsMyDNS.net

  • DNSChecker.org

How to Use Them:

  1. Enter your domain name

  2. Select record type (NS for nameservers, A for website IP)

  3. View global status with green checkmarks showing updated servers

When Propagation Seems Complete

Even when online tools show full propagation, you might still see your old website due to local caching.

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Clear your browser cache and cookies

  2. Clear your computer's DNS cache:

    • Windows: Open Command Prompt as Administrator, type ipconfig /flushdns

    • Mac: Open Terminal, type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

  3. Restart your modem/router

  4. Try accessing from a different network (mobile data)

  5. Test from a different device

Post-Transfer Email Authentication

Once propagation completes, there's one final technical step: re-authenticating your email security settings.

DKIM and SPF Re-authentication

Your web developer will need to update your email authentication records (DKIM and SPF) to ensure your emails don't get marked as spam. This requires temporary access to your email service provider's admin panel.

Why This Happens:
When your DNS records move to new servers, email authentication tokens need to be regenerated and updated to match your new hosting environment.

Your Role:
Provide temporary admin access to your Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or other email service provider so these security settings can be updated.

Best Practices for Transfer Day

Timing Your Transfer

Recommended Schedule:

  • Friday at 5 PM: Initiate the transfer

  • Weekend: Allow 48 hours for propagation

  • Sunday Evening: Verify everything is working

  • Monday Morning: Full business operations resume

This schedule ensures any disruptions happen during non-business hours.

Communication Strategy

Before Transfer:

  • Notify your team about the upcoming change

  • Set expectations about potential email delays

  • Prepare alternative communication methods

During Transfer:

  • Monitor your website periodically

  • Avoid scheduling important email campaigns

  • Be patient with the process

After Transfer:

  • Test all website functionality

  • Verify email is working properly

  • Confirm third-party integrations are active

When to Contact Your Web Developer

Normal Situations (Don't Panic):

  • Website appears intermittently

  • Some emails are delayed

  • Different people see different versions of your site

Contact Your Developer If:

  • Website is completely inaccessible after 72 hours

  • All email stops working after propagation completes

  • Critical website functions aren't working after 48 hours

Conclusion

Website transfers involve complex technical processes, but understanding what happens behind the scenes helps you prepare and stay calm during the transition. DNS propagation is a normal part of the internet's infrastructure – not a sign that something is wrong.

The key to a successful transfer is patience and proper preparation. While the 24-48 hour propagation period might feel long when you're eager to launch your new site, this temporary inconvenience leads to a smooth, professional website that serves your business for years to come.

Ready to transfer your website? Our team handles the technical complexities while keeping you informed every step of the way. Contact us to discuss your website migration and receive a detailed timeline for your specific project.

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