Getting Started¶

Start here when a new Fused hosting account needs to be prepared for a website, domain, or email move. Gather current provider logins, DNS details, and a recent backup before changing anything that receives live traffic.

Choose The Starting Point¶

Before Making Changes¶

Collect:

• Fused client area login.
• Current hosting control panel login.
• Domain registrar login.
• Current DNS records or a screenshot of the DNS zone.
• Recent website backup, including files and databases.
• List of email addresses that should keep working.
• Mailbox passwords, if email will move to Fused.

Starting A New Website¶

For a new site:

1. Confirm the domain is registered.
2. Add the domain to cPanel if it is not already present.
3. Decide whether the site will use WordPress, static files, or another application.
4. Confirm SSL is available after DNS points to Fused.
5. Create any needed email accounts.
6. Point DNS when the site is ready to launch.

Useful next steps:

Moving An Existing Website¶

For an existing site, avoid guessing. A clean move has three stages: copy, test, then point DNS.

Before requesting migration help, provide:

• Current hosting login.
• Current registrar or DNS login.
• Site admin login, if available.
• Any special application notes, such as ecommerce, memberships, cron jobs, or custom code.
• Whether email should also move to Fused.

Setting Up Email¶

Before moving email, decide where mail should be hosted:

• Fused email.
• Google Workspace.
• Microsoft 365.
• Another third-party provider.

If email will use Fused:

1. Create the mailboxes in cPanel.
2. Set mailbox passwords.
3. Confirm webmail works.
4. Use the settings finder for mail app setup.
5. Change MX records only when the mailboxes are ready.

Before Changing DNS¶

Confirm:

• The website has been copied or created on Fused.
• SSL has been considered.
• Email routing is planned.
• Required mailboxes exist.
• Any third-party DNS records have been copied.
• A rollback plan exists if the site or mail does not behave as expected.

If changing nameservers, all DNS records should exist at the new DNS host before the change is made.

After Launch¶

Test:

• Home page and important pages.
• Contact forms.
• Checkout, login, memberships, or bookings.
• WordPress admin or application admin.
• Webmail and mail app sending/receiving.
• SSL in the browser address bar.

Keep the old hosting account active until the new site and email have been tested and enough time has passed to catch missed files, DNS records, or mail settings.

When To Contact Fused¶

Contact Fused before changing DNS if:

• The site is business-critical.
• Email must not be interrupted.
• The old host, registrar, or DNS provider is unclear.
• The site uses ecommerce, memberships, bookings, or custom code.
• The current provider login is available but the next step is uncertain.