Essential Steps For Changing Web Hosts

On the outside looking in, moving your website to a new server probably seems like no big deal. All you have to do is make backups of your content and transfer it to a new host, right?

Unfortunately, moving your website requires much more than that and can be rather frustrating if things are not carefully planned. In this article we will go over a few steps that need to be taken in order to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Step 1 - Copy your Files

This is actually the easiest step of moving to a new web host. Although your content is securely stored on a web server, it also critical that you backup this content in other locations as well. This could be your hard drive or an optical storage medium. One technology that makes this process much easier is FTP which allows you to download files to your hard drive and make copies as well. This can also be done with the File Manger feature that is offered by many web hosting companies. Backing up your website is something that should be done whether you plan to move your website or not. Although many hosts perform routine backups on their server, it is always best to plan for the worst to assure that your content can be quickly restored.

Step 2 - Check your Internal Links

Checking your internal links is important as you want to assure that they are not still programmed to the old URL. This is made easier by formulating links in manner that simplifies the relocation process. Your links can always be hard-coded later after getting things set up on the new server. If you choose to keep the same domain name, internal links should not be a problem as the URL will not change.

Step 3 - Update Your DNS Records

If you own a domain name and are moving it with your website to a new server, be sure to update the DNS records within the company you registered with. This should be done only when you are completely satisfied with the service of your new provider. If you purchased a new domain, be sure to point the name to the new web host. Pointing the domain to your old one will cause problems and slow done the propagation process.

Step 4 - To Redirect or Not To Redirect

After settling in with your new host, it may be a good idea to keep your old site active for a few days. Some suggest canceling the old account after becoming comfortable with the new service while others are against it. Although some visitors may be able to follow the redirection link to your new provider, others may not. Some people have ISPs who are much slower at updating their name servers. This may result in visitors clicking on the redirection link to your new page, only to be redirected back to the old one, all because the domain is still pointed there according to their ISP. To avoid the loss of potential clients, it is a good idea to deal with inconvenience of maintaining two websites for a a minimum of three days.

Conclusion

Changing web host can be a challenge, but following these tips will help to simplify things for you. While adapting to change always takes a bit of time, you can at least avoid some of the common problems faced by so many people who rush into moving their websites.

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