So, you've decided that your current host doesn't suit
your needs and you need to choose a new one. Well, don't
worry - it happens all the time. Many webmasters upgrade
their hosting services once their Web sites become popular,
usually because their current hosting firm cannot provide
an effective level of scalability or technical support.
Before you move, it's extremely important to make sure
you have copies of everything related to your site.
Double-check that all content, including Web pages,
databases and scripts, are properly archived. But don't
archive your Web sites just in case you switch hosts
- always back up your data at regular intervals in case
you experience unexpected data loss or hardware failure.
This will also ensure that all your data is archived
and compressed in its original directories, which is
very important if you want to retain the full-working
integrity of your Web site when you move.
Once you have archived your site, make arrangements
to purchase your new hosting services. Make sure that
any new solution you select includes basic services
that approximate and surpass the service you where
obtaining with your previous provider. Perform a search
with our advanced search utility to make sure the
companies you are considering offer exactly what you're
looking for. It makes no sense to replace your present
hosting service with another Web hosting solution
that equally cannot fulfill your technical requirements.
When your new solution is activated, upload your
archived Web pages, database and scripts to the new
host. You will be allocated an IP number from the
new hosting company. Take time to debug and test the
new site from the individual IP number.
After your site is entirely debugged and you verify
that all site functionality is operative, transfer
your domain name service (DNS) servers over from your
old host to your new host.
During this DNS transition period, which is referred
to as the "propagation period," your Web
site will be resolved by both your new and old host,
as new DNS information about your Web site filters
through the Internet worldwide. It typically takes
about 1-2 weeks for the transfer to fully propagate
around the Internet; so keep your old site running
in case you get visitors whose ISP's name servers
haven't updated fully.
It is imperative that you retain both your old and
new hosting services during your hosting solution
transition. You will need to check your e-mail from
both hosting providers, since some regions of the
Internet will direct e-mail to your original host,
while other regions will start sending mail to your
new server during the transition.
This same situation will occur with your site’s
Web server during the period of propagation. For this
reason, you must ensure that both hosting services
are operating simultaneously during your solution
transition.
Once a week or two have elapsed, cancel the account
with your previous hosting company. Make sure to only
pull the plug on your old account when e-mail stops
arriving from your old server.
To ease the transition, you may want to select a
hosting service that approximates the features of
your previous hosting company. With a wide range of
hosting control panel and automation software packages
available, it is now easier to transition Web sites.
Transitioning from one new host to another can be
a simpler task if you select the same operating system
platform and control panel. Some hosting companies
make transition from one control panel to another
easier by employing a tool that actually automates
the transition from a competitor. |
