# Difference between a site migration and a domain transfer

> Understand how moving your website to new hosting differs from transferring your domain to a new registrar.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/domains/dns-and-settings/difference-between-a-site-migration-and-domain-transfer/

It’s common to confuse **site migrations** with **domain transfers** because both involve moving something related to your website. However, they are two very different processes.

## Site Migrations

A **site migration** means moving your **website content** from one hosting provider to another.

### What’s included:

- Website files (HTML, PHP, images, etc.)
- Databases (e.g., MySQL)
- Email messages (if hosted with your old provider)
- Control panel settings (for cPanel-based accounts)

> **Key points:**
- Your existing site remains online during the migration.
- Content is **copied**, not removed.
- To make the migrated site “live,” you must update your **domain’s nameservers** to point to Ruachost.
- Migration time depends on the size of your site usually a few hours to a couple of days.

## Domain Transfers

A **domain transfer** means moving the **registration of your domain name** (e.g., `example.com`) from one registrar to another.

### What’s included:

- Only the **domain registration** moves.
- No website files, emails, or databases are transferred.