Move GoDaddy Office 365 to Microsoft 365 Without Data Loss

Many businesses start with GoDaddy’s Office 365 plan because it’s bundled with domain services and seems like a quick solution. However, as companies grow, they quickly realize the limitations of GoDaddy’s Office 365 environment — fewer admin controls, limited customization, higher renewal costs, and dependency on GoDaddy’s support.

That’s why many organizations eventually decide to migrate from GoDaddy to Office 365 (directly from Microsoft) for better scalability, security, and freedom.

In this detailed guide, we’ll explain:

• Why you should consider moving
• Challenges in the migration process
• Step-by-step methods to migrate safely
• Best practices to avoid data loss

Why Migrate from GoDaddy to Microsoft 365?

Here are the most common reasons businesses prefer Microsoft 365 over GoDaddy-managed plans:

1. Full Admin Control – Microsoft 365 gives IT teams complete access to the Admin Center, while GoDaddy limits features.
2. Better Security & Compliance – Direct Microsoft plans offer advanced security tools like Conditional Access, eDiscovery, and Intune.
3. Flexible Licensing – Choose from multiple plans (Business Basic, Standard, Premium, E3, E5, etc.) instead of being restricted by GoDaddy.
4. Cost Savings in the Long Run – GoDaddy often charges more for renewals compared to Microsoft’s pricing.
5. Direct Microsoft Support – Faster troubleshooting with Microsoft’s dedicated support teams.

If you want to grow without restrictions, moving Office 365 from GoDaddy to Microsoft is the right choice.

Challenges in Moving Office 365 from GoDaddy to Microsoft

Before migration, it’s important to understand potential risks:

• Email Downtime – If DNS records aren’t updated properly, mail flow may get interrupted.
• Data Loss – Without proper planning, emails, calendars, and contacts may not sync fully.
• User Confusion – Employees may face login issues if credentials and licenses are not mapped correctly.
• Shared Resources – Distribution groups, OneDrive, and SharePoint permissions need careful migration.

With the right strategy, these challenges can be avoided.

Methods to Migrate GoDaddy Office 365 to Microsoft 365

There are two primary ways to migrate: manual migration or using a third-party migration tool.

1. Manual Migration (IMAP or PST Export/Import)

This method works for smaller businesses with limited mailboxes.

Steps:

1. Set up Microsoft 365 Tenant – Purchase the required Microsoft 365 licenses directly from Microsoft.
2. Verify Domain in Microsoft 365 – Add your domain in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and verify ownership.
3. Create New User Accounts – Assign Microsoft 365 licenses to users.
4. Export Mailboxes from GoDaddy –
   • Option 1: Use Outlook PST export to save emails, contacts, and calendars.
   • Option 2: Use IMAP migration to sync emails.
5. Import to Microsoft 365 –
   • Upload PST files to new mailboxes, or
   • Run IMAP migration in the Exchange Admin Center.
6. Update DNS Records (MX, CNAME, TXT, SRV) – Point your DNS to Microsoft 365 for mail delivery.
7. Test Mail Flow – Ensure new emails are arriving in Microsoft 365 mailboxes.

Best for: Small businesses with fewer users.
Limitations: Manual, time-consuming, no support for OneDrive/SharePoint.

2. Third-Party Migration Tools (Recommended for Businesses)

For medium and large organizations, manual migration becomes complex. In that case, migration tools like BitTitan MigrationWiz, CodeTwo, or Quest are better.

Advantages:

• Migrates emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, OneDrive, and SharePoint.
• Maintains folder hierarchy and metadata.
• Ensures zero downtime during migration.
• Automates large-scale migration with progress tracking.

Steps with a Tool:

1. Purchase Microsoft 365 licenses and set up your tenant.
2. Configure the migration tool with GoDaddy as the source and Microsoft 365 as the destination.
3. Map user accounts and permissions.
4. Run a pre-migration sync to copy existing data.
5. Schedule the final cutover migration during off-hours.
6. Switch DNS records to Microsoft 365.
7. Verify and finalize the migration.

Best for: Organizations with 50+ users or complex setups.
Limitation: Requires licensing cost for the migration tool.

Best Practices to Avoid Data Loss

• Backup Before Migration – Always back up GoDaddy mailboxes before starting.
• Migrate in Batches – For large organizations, move users in groups to minimize disruption.
• Communicate with Employees – Inform staff about new login details and expected downtime.
• Test Before Final Cutover – Verify mail flow and access before switching DNS records.
• Monitor After Migration – Ensure no emails are stuck in queues and shared resources work properly.

FAQs on Moving from GoDaddy to Microsoft 365

Q1. Can I directly transfer my subscription from GoDaddy to Microsoft?
No, you can’t transfer subscriptions directly. You must purchase a new plan with Microsoft and migrate data.

Q2. Will my email stop working during migration?
If DNS is updated carefully and cutover is planned well, downtime can be reduced to near zero.

Q3. Can I keep my domain registered with GoDaddy?
Yes, you can keep your domain with GoDaddy and only move your email services to Microsoft 365.

Q4. Do I lose OneDrive and SharePoint data?
Not if you use a third-party migration tool. Manual methods usually don’t migrate these.

Conclusion

Migrating from GoDaddy to Microsoft 365 may sound challenging, but with the right approach, you can make the switch smoothly and without losing important data.

• Small businesses can rely on manual migration (PST export/import or IMAP).
• Larger organizations should use professional migration tools for a seamless experience.

Once migrated, you’ll enjoy full Microsoft 365 features, lower long-term costs, and complete control over your environment.