What is the cheapest hosting in Nepal?

WordPress hosting at Hosting Nepal starts from NPR 299/month, VPS hosting from NPR 1,500/month, and domain registration from NPR 1,200/year. All plans include free Let's Encrypt SSL, LiteSpeed, and NVMe SSD storage.

Does Hosting Nepal accept Khalti and eSewa?

Yes. Hosting Nepal accepts Khalti, eSewa, bank transfers, and credit/debit cards. All prices are in NPR with zero currency conversion fees.

Does Hosting Nepal provide free SSL?

Yes. Every hosting plan includes a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate that is automatically installed and renewed through CyberPanel.

Where are Hosting Nepal servers located?

Hosting Nepal infrastructure runs on Contabo data centers in Germany, USA, UK, Japan, Singapore, and Australia, with the management platform operated from Kathmandu, Nepal.

What is the uptime guarantee?

All hosting services are backed by a 99.9% uptime SLA with enterprise-grade infrastructure and 24/7 monitoring.

Can I register a .np or .com.np domain through Hosting Nepal?

Yes. Hosting Nepal supports registration of .com, .np, .com.np, and 20+ other TLDs starting at NPR 1,200/year, with instant activation and integrated DNS management.

What is the most critical step for an NGO during website migration?

The most critical step is performing a comprehensive backup of all website files, databases, and email accounts before starting the migration. This ensures that even if something goes wrong, your NGO's valuable data and communications can be fully restored, safeguarding your mission-critical information.

How long does a typical website migration take for a Nepali NGO?

A typical website migration for an NGO can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the website's complexity, size, and the method used. DNS propagation, which can take up to 48 hours, is often the longest variable. Proper planning and using a local provider like Hosting Nepal can expedite the process.

Can I migrate my website if I don't have technical staff?

Yes, many hosting providers, including Hosting Nepal, offer migration assistance, especially for cPanel to cPanel transfers. While having some technical understanding helps, a reliable host can handle the heavy lifting, making it feasible even for NGOs with limited technical staff. Always confirm support availability beforehand.

What is DNS cutover and why is it important?

DNS cutover is the process of updating your domain's DNS records (like nameservers or A records) to point to your new hosting server. It's crucial because it directs visitors to your new website location. An incorrect or poorly timed DNS cutover can lead to extended downtime or visitors seeing an outdated version of your site.

How can I minimize downtime during my NGO's website migration?

To minimize downtime, perform a full backup, test the migrated site on the new server before changing DNS, and schedule the DNS cutover during off-peak hours (e.g., late night in Nepal). Using a temporary 'under maintenance' page can also manage visitor expectations during propagation.

Should I backup my email accounts during migration?

Absolutely. Email accounts are critical for NGO operations. If your emails are hosted on your cPanel, a full cPanel backup will include them. Ensure you have a plan to transfer or reconfigure all active email addresses to your new hosting to maintain uninterrupted communication with donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries.

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Migration

7 min read· May 29, 2026

The NGO Website Migration Checklist for Nepali Non-Profits

This checklist guides Nepali NGOs through a seamless website migration, covering cPanel backups, secure data transfer, and proper DNS cutover to minimize downtime and preserve online presence.

Hosting Nepal Editorial

Editorial Team · Updated May 29, 2026 · 3 views

The NGO Website Migration Checklist for Nepali Non-Profits

Migrating your NGO's website in Nepal requires careful planning to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to your vital online presence and donor engagement. This checklist will guide you through the essential steps for a successful website migration, covering cPanel backups, secure data transfer, and proper DNS cutover.

Key facts: * Target Audience: Nepali NGOs and non-profits * Primary Goal: Seamless website migration with minimal downtime * Key Technologies: cPanel, WordPress, DNS * Estimated Cost (DIY): Primarily hosting fees, potentially a few thousand NPR for a domain transfer if applicable. * Recommended Provider: Hosting Nepal for reliable local support and infrastructure.

Why a Smooth Migration is Crucial for Nepali NGOs

For non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Nepal, a website is more than just an online brochure; it's a critical tool for fundraising, volunteer recruitment, advocacy, and disseminating vital information to beneficiaries and the public. An improperly executed website migration can lead to significant downtime, loss of donor trust, decreased visibility in search engines, and a breakdown in communication channels. Given that many NGOs operate with limited budgets and technical staff, a clear, step-by-step guide is indispensable for ensuring their digital continuity.

According to a 2025 report by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), website availability and performance are directly linked to public trust for online services, including those offered by NGOs. A seamless transition ensures your mission-critical content remains accessible, and your .np or .com.np domain continues to serve its purpose without interruption. Whether you're moving from an outdated hosting provider, consolidating multiple sites, or upgrading to a more robust platform like those offered by Hosting Nepal, this checklist provides a roadmap.

Pre-Migration Planning and Preparation

Before initiating any transfer, thorough preparation is paramount. This phase focuses on gathering necessary information, performing crucial backups, and communicating with stakeholders.

1. Information Gathering and Audit

* List all website assets: Document every page, post, image, video, and downloadable file. For WordPress sites, this includes themes, plugins, and media library contents. * Identify critical functionalities: Note any custom forms, donation gateways (e.g., Khalti, eSewa, bank transfer integrations), membership areas, or third-party integrations (e.g., analytics, CRM). * Domain and DNS details: Know your domain registrar, current nameservers, and DNS records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT). This is vital for the DNS cutover phase. Ensure you have access to your domain registrar account. * Current hosting credentials: Gather cPanel login, FTP access, and database credentials. * Email accounts: List all associated email addresses and their configurations. Email migration is often overlooked but critical for NGO communication.

2. Comprehensive Backup Strategy

* Full cPanel backup: If your current host uses cPanel, generate a full backup (including website files, databases, and email accounts). Download this backup to your local computer and, if possible, to a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. This is your safety net. * Manual WordPress backup (if applicable): For WordPress sites, use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or Duplicator to create a separate backup of your database and files. This offers an additional layer of security and can simplify WordPress migration. * Database-only backup: Export your database via phpMyAdmin in cPanel. This is a quick way to get a clean database snapshot. * File-only backup: Use FTP to download all website files from your public_html directory.

3. Communication and Downtime Minimization

* Inform stakeholders: Notify your team, key volunteers, and potentially major donors about the planned migration, including a brief expected downtime window. Transparency builds trust. * Schedule off-peak hours: Plan the actual migration for a time when your website typically experiences the lowest traffic, often late at night or early morning in Nepal. * Set up a temporary 'under maintenance' page: Prepare a simple HTML page to upload to your old host during the DNS propagation period, informing visitors of the migration and when to expect the site back online.

The Migration Process: Transferring and Configuring

This section details the actual transfer of your website data and setting up the new hosting environment.

1. Setting Up New Hosting with Hosting Nepal

* Choose a suitable plan: Select a web hosting plan from Hosting Nepal that meets your NGO's needs in terms of storage, bandwidth, and features. Consider managed WordPress hosting for ease of use if your site is built on WordPress. * Create cPanel account: Once your new hosting is active, access your new cPanel account. Familiarize yourself with its interface. * Database creation: Create a new database and a database user in your new cPanel's MySQL Databases section. Note down the database name, username, and password.

2. Data Transfer

* Upload full cPanel backup: The easiest method for cPanel to cPanel migration is to upload your full cPanel backup file to your new hosting account (often via FTP or directly in cPanel's File Manager) and then ask Hosting Nepal's support team to restore it for you. This handles files, databases, and emails automatically. * Manual transfer (if preferred or necessary): * Files: Upload your website files via FTP to the public_html directory of your new hosting account. * Database: Import your database backup (.sql file) into the newly created database using phpMyAdmin in your new cPanel. * Configuration update: If you manually migrated a WordPress site, you'll need to update the wp-config.php file with the new database name, username, and password.

3. Post-Transfer Configuration and Testing

* Update wp-config.php (WordPress): Ensure the database connection details are correct. You might also need to update the WordPress site URL in the database or via a plugin like Better Search Replace after the DNS cutover. * Test with hosts file: Before changing DNS, you can test your migrated site by modifying your computer's hosts file to point your domain to the new server's IP address. This allows you to browse the new site privately without affecting public access. * Verify all functionalities: Thoroughly check all pages, forms, donation links, internal links, images, and third-party integrations. Ensure email sending and receiving works if you migrated email accounts. * Install SSL Certificate: Hosting Nepal provides free SSL certificates (e.g., Let's Encrypt). Install and activate it on your new hosting to ensure your site is secure (HTTPS).

DNS Cutover and Final Steps

The DNS cutover is the point where you direct your domain to the new hosting server. This is a critical step that requires precision.

1. Updating Nameservers or A Records

* Nameserver change (recommended): Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., Mercantile Communications for .np domains) and update your domain's nameservers to those provided by Hosting Nepal. This is generally the simplest method as it delegates all DNS management to your new host. * A Record change (advanced): If you prefer to keep your DNS managed elsewhere (e.g., Cloudflare), update the A record for your domain (and www) to point to your new hosting server's IP address.

2. DNS Propagation

* Understand propagation time: DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet. During this period, some visitors might see the old site, while others see the new one. * Monitor propagation: Use online tools like DNS Checker to monitor the propagation status of your domain.

3. Post-Migration Cleanup and Monitoring

* Decommission old hosting: Once you are confident the new site is fully functional and DNS has propagated, cancel your old hosting account. Do not do this prematurely. * Continuous monitoring: Regularly check your website for any broken links, missing content, or functionality issues. Monitor website performance and security. * Update internal links: If your NGO has other online profiles (social media, partner websites) linking to your site, ensure all URLs are correct, especially if any permalink structures changed. * Inform search engines: Submit your updated sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools to help search engines re-index your new site quickly.

By following this comprehensive cPanel migration checklist, Nepali NGOs can achieve a smooth, stress-free transition to new hosting, ensuring their vital online presence continues to thrive. Hosting Nepal is committed to supporting NGOs with reliable web hosting and expert assistance throughout the migration process, making your move as seamless as possible. Remember, a successful migration is an investment in your NGO's future impact.