Server Migration — VPS, Dedicated, Hosting: 469 Interventions Analyzed

Your site is slow, your host limits your options, or you need more power? Since 2018, MonSiteBug has completed 469 server migrations and interventions — host transfers, VPS setups, dedicated server configurations, and infrastructure troubleshooting.

This article is based on our real data: 8,809 support tickets, hundreds of successful migrations, and deep knowledge of each hosting provider's strengths and weaknesses.

Server migration trends: 2019–2026

The 2021 boom: 97 migrations in a single year. E-merchants massively left shared hosting for VPS, driven by performance needs and shared hosting limitations.

Hosting providers in our tickets

Why we recommend OVH: root access changes everything

With 624 interventions on OVH servers, it's by far the host we work with most. And it's no accident.

What makes the difference

• Root access available — On an OVH VPS or dedicated server, you get full SSH root access. We can configure Apache/Nginx, install specific PHP modules, optimize MySQL, set up anti-bot scripts, and manage backups exactly as needed.
• Full flexibility — No artificial file count limits, no cron job restrictions, no connection caps. The server is yours.
• cPanel available — OVH offers cPanel/WHM on their VPS for clients who prefer a graphical interface.
• Complete range — From shared to high-performance dedicated, you can scale without changing providers.
• French datacenters — Minimal latency for European clients, easier GDPR compliance.

Why we avoid Ionos when possible

With 178 interventions on Ionos, we know this host well — and that's precisely why we often recommend switching.

Recurring issues

• File count limitations — Ionos imposes strict inode limits even on VPS and dedicated offerings. A PrestaShop with many modules quickly hits this limit. Result: can't install updates, generate PDF invoices, or even access the back-office.
• Managed hosting that isn't — Ionos sells "managed" plans but in reality, you have zero control. No root access on shared plans and even on some VPS, customization is nearly impossible.
• No customization possible — Even on Ionos VPS and dedicated servers, server management is locked down. No free PHP version choice, no advanced Apache/Nginx config, no custom cron jobs without their limited interface.
• Slow technical support — Technical requests go through generalist support lacking expertise for PrestaShop or WordPress-specific issues.

Our advice: If you're on Ionos and hitting limitations, migrating to an OVH VPS is often more cost-effective than continuing to pay for a service that doesn't give you control of your own server.

Most common server problems

Shared vs VPS vs Dedicated: how to choose

When to upgrade from shared to VPS?

• Your site takes more than 3 seconds to load
• You get 500 or 503 errors regularly
• Your host blocks features (cron jobs, PHP version, memory)
• You have more than 1,000 products in your store
• Your traffic exceeds 500 visitors/day
• You need an anti-bot script or specific configuration

Our migration process

Step 1 — Current hosting audit

We analyze your current setup: PHP version, file and database sizes, server config, domain names, email accounts.

Step 2 — New server preparation

Full installation and configuration: Apache/Nginx, PHP with proper extensions, optimized MySQL, SSL certificate, DNS config, cPanel if desired.

Step 3 — Data migration

File transfer via rsync/SCP and database via dump/import. We also migrate email accounts if needed.

Step 4 — Testing and switchover

Complete testing on the new server before switching DNS. We verify every page, checkout, back-office, email sending. DNS switch is last — near-zero downtime.

Step 5 — Post-migration monitoring

48-hour monitoring after migration to ensure everything works.

Our hosting numbers at a glance

Why trust us with your migration?

Since 2018, we've migrated hundreds of websites — PrestaShop e-commerce, WooCommerce stores, WordPress sites — with zero data loss and near-zero downtime.

• 469 migrations completed — a proven and documented process
• Zero data loss — systematic backup before every intervention
• Minimal downtime — DNS switch is the last step
• Complete migration — files, database, emails, DNS, SSL, cron jobs
• Multi-host expertise — OVH, o2switch, Ionos, PlanetHoster, Infomaniak...
• Post-migration monitoring — 48-hour surveillance after switchover