Measure the workload
A cached brochure site and a store with logged-in customers can behave very differently at the same visit count. Record site size, busy periods, dynamic requests, plugins, scheduled jobs and integrations. Use the Hosting Fit Finder as a starting point, not a capacity guarantee.
Compare the total bill
Check the first billing period, renewal price, taxes, extra sites, storage, traffic or bandwidth allowances and overage handling. Identify paid extras for email, backups, security, support or CDN features. Compare the recurring total, not just the introductory monthly equivalent.
Check recovery and support
Ask what is backed up, how long copies are retained, whether restores cost extra and how to test recovery. Confirm which application problems support will investigate. Managed infrastructure does not automatically include fixing custom code.
Confirm compatibility
Check required PHP versions and extensions, blocked plugins, SSH or WP-CLI access, cron support, staging, database access and email requirements. Verify the region serving most visitors and what the CDN actually caches.
Plan the move
Document DNS and mail records before changing nameservers. For an active store, agree on final synchronization and checkout handling. Verify the destination before cutover and keep a rollback route where feasible. Compare the provider shortlist or request migration help.