subject: A Step By Step Guide To Switching Web Hosting Provider [print this page] Switching web hosting providers is something most of us will have to do every now and then; whether to get greater capacities, or simply greater customer service. Switching is easy enough, but there are a few things that need to be completed to make the process as smooth as it should be; here's a quick guide.
Back up your data - Backing up site data is crucial, to ensure you have a site to go back to. Backing up can be done online easily enough, or simply taken in house. However, best practice says to do it in both places; you can never be too careful with such things after all.
Transfer data - Having backed up everything, it is now time to transfer it all across to your new host. This can be done, again easily enough, with FTP. However, checking where you are transferring it to is key. Ideally, ask for a temporary real domain, rather than a basic temporary domain, which should ensure that all codes carry on working throughout the process.
Having got everything over to the new provider, the nameservers will need to be changed at the company from which you bought the domain in the first instance. Simply contact them and let them know, and they will do everything necessary.
Change DNS nameservers - To ensure the site moves over seamlessly, and no visitors, (or potential visitors), are left in the ether, the domain registrar will need to be informed of the change too. It is not unusual to be advised this will take up to forty-eight hours to process, but this is seldom the case.
That is pretty much it for switching web hosting providers really; but there is just one thing. Keep your old hosting account open for at least a week, ideally longer. Though problems are not at all common, having something top fall back to should it all go wrong could be more than beneficial.
