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Steps For Transferring Hosts
A Smooth Host Transfer
The decision to transfer from one host to another is a
decision that many Webmasters have to take. The
transition from one provider to another can cause
problems if it is not managed properly, however by
following certain tips you should be able to ensure very
little or preferably no downtime. Essentially, the most
important aspect is continuing to provide your website
visitors with continued access to your website. Of
course, if the reason you are changing host is because
you are not receiving this anyway then making the move
as quickly as possible becomes the most important
provision.
Stage 1 – Complete Site Backup
The first step to changing host, even before you have
chosen a new host if possible, is to backup all the
pages, files, and documents of your old site. Make sure
that all of these pages are stored on your computer;
don’t just assume that you have all the copies you need.
If you change host and then discover that you don’t have
a vital template or a recently installed script it can
take a lot of time to put things right. Obviously, using
FTP is the preferred method because it is easier and
quicker than doing this manually. Frontpage,
Dreamweaver, and other HTML editors usually also offer
an import function.
Stage 2 – Finding A New Host
Once you have completed a full backup of your site you
can look for a new host. Obviously, your reason for
changing supplier will provide you with some of the
important factors you are looking for. If you require
more bandwidth or diskspace than your old package was
offering then concentrate on this. Also ensure, though,
that you have all the features you currently use
including the appropriate program support and file
extension support.
If you didn’t design or implement your own site then it
may be a good idea to speak to the person or company
that did. Find out if there are any special requirements
for your site or any extensions that are desperately
required. In order to prevent having to move host again
in the near future you should consider the current size
of your site and how much it has grown. Look to the
future and try to ensure that you have enough disk space
and enough bandwidth to prevent another forced transfer
in the near future. Alternatively, find a host that
would be able to accommodate any increase in these
factors.
Stage 3 – Give Ample Warning To Your Visitors
Give your visitors as much warning as possible. If you
give no warning of an impending transfer you could
potentially lose long-term visitors and repeat visitors
to your site. If you have a mailing list then use that
to inform those readers, and also place a notice on the
pages of your site. It is important to let as many
people as possible know as soon as possible.
Stage 4 – Create Your New Email Accounts
Now you should create your email accounts with your new
host supplier. By doing this now you can be ready for
the change over and ensure that you do not miss any
critical emails during the majority of the transfer
process.
Stage 5 – Transferring Your Domain
Transferring the domain name is a relatively easy thing
to do. Once you have paid for your new hosting account
you will receive your new domain server information.
Inform your domain registrar of the change in details,
or if they offer a website control panel, then make
these changes yourself. While the domain name transfers
you may experience some problems with your site. You
should, however, still have hosting with your old
provider ensuring that the downtime is as minimal as
possible.
Stage 6 – Site Upload
As soon as the domain name server information propagates
to your new host you should upload all of your files to
your new hosting account. Again, if you have used FTP or
a website editor for the backup then it should be
possible to do this all in one transfer. This ensures
that all of the pages and documents of your website
remain in tact during this transfer period.
Step 7 – Checking Your Site
Once you have completed the transfer you should check
every page of your site, if possible. Look for any
errors, check the links, and ensure that any downloads
work properly. Sometimes during the transfer process
things can go awry so you need to check this as soon as
possible. This is most common when using Frontpage
extensions so take extra care if this is the case.
Step 8 – Canceling With Your Old Host
Once you have everything working the way you want it
cancel all remaining services with your previous host.
It is best to leave this step until now for several
reasons. You can always ask for help when you are a
paying customer, but your old host is less likely to
help if you have already cancelled your site.
Host Transfer Conclusion
By following these steps it should be possible to keep
your site downtime to an absolute minimum. Because you
have already informed all of your website visitors of
the impending transfer you should also be able to ensure
that any disruption is kept to an absolute minimum and
that you don’t lose any visitors who come back to your
site over and over again.
A host transfer inevitably causes disruption to you,
your site, and your visitors. The best step is to remain
with the same host as long as possible, but if you need
to make the move because of technical issues or any
other reason then you should do so as quickly as
possible. A few days’ disruption may lead to a more
robust and more stable site so could save you a lot of
time and a lot of heartache in the long term.
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