How to switch Hosting Providers without Downtime
The process of changing
hosting providers is simple and can be accomplished
with minimal hassle and downtime provided certain
steps are followed in order. Clients changing
hosting service are usually already frustrated and
unsatisfied at some level with web hosting. It is
our hope that this guide will serve as a road map
to a hassle free and successful web hosting
experience moving forward.
Firstly there is this one important thing you need to remember, DO NOT TERMINATE YOUR EXISTING HOSTING ACCOUNT until the very
last step. You may be very unhappy with your current hosting but it
is essential that your current hosting account remains active until
you are 100% sure your site is all operational with us.
If you follow the steps below you should be able to transition
from your old host to us without any downtime to your web site.
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1.) Backup All Your Files From Your Old Hosting Account
This is a relatively simple process, but can be time consuming
depending on the size of your web site. Ensure that you have a full working copy of
your website files, databases, etc... stored on
your computer. Download or record any pertinent
email address settings, passwords, log file
data, statistic reports, etc. from your current
host. Remember that you cannot cancel this account yet even though
you have backed up all your files. |
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2.) Order Your New Hosting Account
Simply select a web hosting package from this page and follow the online ordering process. Save and print your "Activation
Letters", and/or send this email to your web
designer. (they'll know what to do with this
information.) |
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3.) Upload All Your Files To Your New Account
Once you have backed up your files on your old hosting account,
it is time to go to your new hosting account and upload the backups. Using the details provided in the Activation
Letters; upload (using FTP) your website files
to your new service with us,
install and configure any databases, scripts,
etc. |
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4.) Create Your Mail Accounts
To avoid losing any of your email when you later change your
domain name server addresses, it is imperative that you now create
all the same email accounts that you had with your old hosting
provider in your new hosting account. Once this has been done, all
email addresses on the new account should match the email address on
your old account.
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5.) Checking of Your Files and Links
Now it is time to check all the pages of your web site and
verify that all links are working correctly on your new hosting account. To do
this you will need to use the temporary URL that is provided in your Activation Letter for your web site. |
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6.) Changing Your DNS (Nameservers) - Domain Transfer
If you are now certain that your files have all been uploaded
correctly and the links within your site are working correctly, you
can change your DNS (domain name servers).
Do It Yourself
The place to change the DNS addresses is whoever your domain name
is registered with. If you registered the domain name through a
registrar, you will need to login to their control panel and change
the DNS servers there. If it was registered with your old host, you
will need to login to their control panel and change the DNS entries
there.
Let Us Handle The Domain Transfer For You
After the
account has been setup adequately let us know and a domain
transfer request will be sent through by a Support Staff Member. All you have to do is contact the organisation
managing the domain and inform them of the transfer and as to accept the transfer request. |
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7.) Wait For DNS Changes To Propagate
After you have changed your DNS (domain name servers) you will
need to wait between 24-48 hours for your domain to propagate across
the internet. During this waiting period your site will still be
served from your old hosting account, as the DNS propagates your
site will be served from your new hosting account. Once the propagation has
completed all requests to your domain will be served from you new
hosting account.
Double-check the email settings in your
email software to make sure your settings work
with the new service. (your mail server entries
should read something similar to
"mail.yourdomain.com") |
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8.) Cancel Your Old Account
Make sure you wait at least 48 hours for the domain name to
propagate, and make sure that your domain name is resolving to your
new hosting account before canceling your old account.
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* The process of modifying a domain name
(commonly referred to as transferring) is the
area most customers incur problems. Close
attention to this step will insure a smooth
transition.
By following these steps you should now have successfully
transferred your web site from your old host to us
without any downtime. We are always here to
help, should you require any assistance or have any queries
do not hesitate to contact us. |
Switching Hosting Providers?
