Moving Your Website to a New Web Host

In the event that you have a business website, regardless of whether small or anything personal that is dedicated to your interest or a huge website that is utilized to promote your services or products, at that point there might be times when you may be disappointed with the service of your current hosting provider and look for a change. No one might want to stay connected with a web hosting partner loaded with incompetent offerings.

 

In the event that you are frustrated because of frequent downtimes and poor support devices, then it is the right time to switch to another proficient benefactor instead of things to fall as per your business plans. The procedure of choosing your new web hosting service provider might be a tedious task and a successful transfer is the one that moves your fully functional business website to another host easily and with zero downtime.

 

This blog shares the stepwise guide that will make your switch quick and secure for an enduring tomorrow.

 

Search for a New Web Host: The initial step that you should take before you make the switch is to look for another web hosting company that is reliable and offers better services. However, figuring out which service provider has the correct capacities to meet your specific business needs is not at all an easy job, however, the best way is to compare the services of the most top five reliable brands in respect to configurations, security, resiliency, and pricing. 

 

It is recommended that you register your domain to a third party provider so that if in any case, you need to switch again, your domain can be easily shifted without any potential difficulties.

 

Create a Backup of Your Website Files: The next step is to take a proper backup of all your website databases and records from your old server. For static websites, just copy the old file structures and you can use the basic FTP application, Smart FTP or FileZilla for graphics and etc. If your dynamic website utilizes databases, at that point it is important to import the information from your system by utilizing any third party software that is available with the hosting control panel. 

 

Finally, ensure that the backup files are safe and your website keeps running with all the features and functionalities on the new server.

 

Add Email Accounts to the New Server: To get your email accounts on the new server, the initial step that you should take is to add your accounts on the new server before switching the DNS. You can log in to your new account by utilizing the data that is given by the new host. And then set up all your email accounts on the new server that were on the previous server. 

 

Try to include a "catchall" address with the goal that the emails do not skip if you forget to add some. Since you will have two websites running for a brief span, it is good to have two accounts working simultaneously, with the goal that you do not miss any emails.  Also, send test emails to check how it works.

 

Move Your Domain Name: In case your domain name is registered with your web hosting services, then you will require to move it. Your host will help you with the directions that will determine where to send the user. Moving your DNS record to your new servers will ensure that your visitors will be able to find your website easily as opposed to having an error or misdirect. 

 

Change the DNS name servers as indicated by the one that you have received in your welcome email from your new Windows hosting or Shared hosting service provider. You may need to wait for around 24 – 48 hours for the migration to be completed effectively.

 

Move Files to the New Server: When you have received your login information from your new web hosting service provider, you can begin to move your files and be prepared not to make any changes to the website for the coming few days. You can without much of a stretch upload all your files, yet while uploading your databases, ensure that you install the web applications on the new server that you were using on the old server.

 

Wait for the Change: When all the steps are followed and you have requested to move your DNS record, now is the time to wait for the switch that can happen anytime between a few hours to an entire day to take live. Amid this procedure, both your new and your old website will remain functional. When you go live with your new web hosting service provider, you can inform your previous provider to drop the subscribed hosting plan. 

 

To finish up, one might say that if your website looks the way it did previously and you get and receive emails, then your new hosting provider is your ideal opportunity to grow your business. However, remember there are numerous things that may turn out badly and your hosting provider should be able to assist you with any issues that are unplanned.