How to change web host
There are lots of things to think of before you change web hosts. I give you a list of things you should not forget and also give you tips on how to handle the server change without problems. The tutorial:
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Are you thinking of changing web host?
First, think about it once again!
Second, read my tips so you don’t miss something important…If you need a new web host I can recommend the host I use for all my sites:
They have web accounts in different sizes and dedicated servers. Both managed and unmanaged. Great support!
1. Backup Backup Backup!
Backup your files before you change web hosts. Take your whole web root but don’t forget files that you might have saved outside the root.
Sometimes web stats are saved outside the root, if you want to save those.
Backup your database(s). It might be easy to miss, but it is so extremely important!! After all, the database is often your whole site 
If you have cPanel at your host, you can use their backup function which is superb!!
When you move to your new host (if they also use cPanel), you just give them the backup file and they can import that into your account.
2. Upload (or import with cPanel) your files to the new server.
Here are lots of things that might need fixing and tweeking.
First of all, ask your web host for the temp url to your site, so you can check it before your change over the domain name to the new web server.
If often look like something like this: http://123.123.123.123/~yourAccount/
3. Check everything
Here are some things that might give your problem to fix:
- perl, cgi paths. Check with the host what paths you should use. (This is Only for those using any of those techniques, not for PHP for example)
Change in all necesary files to the new url.
- Sometimes pre made scripts needs some configurating. You don’t have to reinstall the scripts, but you might need to change the file path in some configuration file.
Best way to know if you need this is to try to use the site, if everything looks good you don’t have to worry
- Maybee you need to change file permissions on some files or directories. This is also a thing that you often see when you surf the site. If you don’t see any problems, you probably don’t have to think about this.
One thing that you should know that might look wrong even if it will work when you change name servers.
If your scripts link to other scripts like this: “/index.php” or “/class/myClass.php” you will see problems. (note the first slash)
This says that the webserver should look for the file relative to the root. But because your site is surfed from a subdirectory now (temporarely) the web server can’t find the correct file.
But this will work when you change your information later.
Now it’s almost time to change, so your domain name points to the new server.
But first, you should inform your visitors that you are changing servers.
There might be some problems, then it’s important to have informed them before they find the problems.
If it’s important that your visitors always can reach you by email you could set up a gmail or yahoo mail temporarely.
4. Now do the change
Now change dns. (You should get the information you need from your new web host). Most often they have two servers you need to enter at the place where you bought the domain name.
It can take one or two days sometimes for the change to apply to the whole world…
Often it only takes one or two hours, but you can never be sure that everyone have the new information that quick.
Now cross your fingers that everything is in order at the new place.
When the ip addresses have changed, try out the site as quick as possible.
If everhing is ok, make sure that you Don’t cancel your account with the old host for a week or two.
This is for some reasons. It might turn out that your new host is crappy, so you want to change back. Another thing is that you should check the email at the old server also for some days, because some mails might end up there before the whole world have update your change.
(If you set up a temporarely email as I said before, you can redirect all email from the old server. If you need help ask their support!)
5. Wrap everthing up
After a week or two, when everything is working ok you can cancel your old host.
If you already have paid a whole year and can’t get a refund you should keep it and have it for testing new stuff though.
Some last words about changing host:
Search engines don’t like your site that much if you change host all the time. So change if you Need it, not for fun…
Change into a Good webhost. I will soon give you a tutorial about choosing webhost. But until then I can recommend the hotel I use for this and all my other sites: Micfo.com
I really love their uptime and superb support! They know their stuff and also have great prices and possibilities to grow if you need it.
Click the image below to check them out!
Web server accounts, dedicated servers both managed and unmanaged.