Church Domain Migration: Protect Email and DNS
Safely move your church website to a new platform. Learn how to migrate your domain, protect email, and avoid losing visitors or search visibility.
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By Mason Turner · Reviewed by ChurchPress Editorial
Key takeaways
- +Plan domain moves carefully to avoid disruptions.
- +Update email and DNS settings to maintain communication.
- +Redirect old links to preserve search traffic.
01
Why Domain Migration Requires Care
Moving your church website to a new platform can improve features and performance, but it also risks disrupting email, losing visitors, or breaking links.
A smooth migration protects your church’s online presence and ensures members and visitors can always find you.
02
Preparing for Migration
Start by making a full backup of your current website and email settings. List all services connected to your domain, such as email accounts, online giving, or calendar integrations.
Communicate with staff and volunteers about the migration timeline. Assign roles for tasks like updating content or monitoring email.
- Backup website files and databases.
- Record current DNS and email provider settings.
- Notify key leaders of planned changes.
03
Migrating the Domain and Website
Point your domain to the new website by updating DNS records. If you use your domain for email (e.g., office@yourchurch.org), double-check that MX records are correct before making changes.
Set up redirects from old URLs to new ones, especially if page addresses change. This helps preserve search rankings and ensures visitors don’t encounter broken links.
- Update DNS to point to the new web host.
- Verify email works before and after migration.
- Use 301 redirects for any changed URLs.
04
After the Move: Testing and Communication
Once migration is complete, test your website and email thoroughly. Check that all pages load, forms work, and emails send and receive correctly.
Inform your congregation about the new site and encourage feedback. Monitor traffic and fix any issues promptly to maintain trust and continuity.
Put it into practice
Your action plan
- 1Plan domain moves carefully to avoid disruptions.
- 2Update email and DNS settings to maintain communication.
- 3Redirect old links to preserve search traffic.
- 4Backup website files and databases.
- 5Record current DNS and email provider settings.
How to know it worked
A first-time visitor can complete the page's main task on a phone without help, and the responsible owner can keep the information current.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
Will our email stop working during migration?
Email disruption is avoidable if you update DNS settings carefully and test before final changes.
Do we need to inform our congregation about the move?
Yes. Clear communication helps avoid confusion and builds trust.
What if some links break after migration?
Set up redirects and monitor your site for errors. Fix broken links quickly to avoid losing visitors.
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