Changing Web Hosts? No Need To Panic
August 10, 2006
Maybe your website is growing at a faster pace than your web host can manage. Perhaps your host has poor customer service, too much downtime and too little bandwidth. Or maybe you have your eye on some cutting-edge enhancements that your current host simply cannot provide. You know you need to change web hosts but the thought of the process sends you into a fit of sheer panic, causing you to stay with a provider that is no longer meeting the needs of your online business.
With a little planning and research you can make the move to a new web host provider without jeopardizing your needs or those of your customers. Most web site owners know little or nothing about changing hosts (because they so rarely do it). This lack of knowledge has the potential to cause website owners to wind up losing clients and damaging their site’s hard-earned reputation when the site is unavailable during the transition to a new host.
Before you do anything about changing hosts, make absolutely certain that you have copies of everything related to your site. This means web pages, databases, scripts and all other information. Be certain that they are properly archived. If you have been diligent with your backups, this will be easy because you will have a lot of insurance to fall back on. (It makes good business sense to perform frequent backups because of the possibility of unexpected disasters.) When you do your final backup before changing hosts, make sure you have at least two copies and store them in different locations. If you neglect to do this, you will lose your data because once you are no longer a customer, your former web host will erase your data to make room for a new customer.
Although timelines vary, most experts advise that you plan your transfer to a new host one month before you terminate your old hosting plan to allow ample time for a smooth transfer. If you don’t allow at least a month your web site is at risk of becoming inaccessible just when your valued customers need it most. Keep in mind that your website is the first and sometimes only thing a customer sees about your business. This is especially true if your company does not have a “real world” presence such as a physical store or office.
There are literally thousands of web hosts to choose from. How do you find the one who is right for you? Some areas to consider include:
Disk space
How much disk space do you need? Many web hosting plans limit how much space you will have, so make sure the plan you choose meets your needs.
E-mail accounts
How many e-mail accounts do you need? You'll probably need one for each employee and one for each department (sales, accounts, support). Make sure you purchase a hosting plan that has enough e-mail accounts.
Data transfer
How much data do you need to transfer? Most hosting plans limit how much data transfer you are allotted each month. If you expect a lot of people to visit your site, you'll need a plan that allows for plenty of data transfer.
E-commerce
Will you be selling goods or services through your site? If not, there's no need to sign up for an e-commerce web hosting service. If you are, e-commerce web hosting services such as shopping cart software, SSL support and a merchant account will be vital.
Support
Is customer and technical support available 24/7? Can you easily get through on the customer support hotline?
Make sure that the new host you choose can support all of your current software and services. Often, people change web hosting companies to gain access to enhanced features. If you run calls or scripts in a certain version of software, see to it that the new provider has this feature.
Once your new web host activates your site, upload all of your archived web pages, databases and scripts. Make sure you test the new site thoroughly before terminating your current host.
At this point, you can begin the process of transferring your DNS (domain name service) from your old host to your new service. During this transition period, your web site will be serviced by both your current and new hosts. Test your new site thoroughly. This means checking all the links, emails scripts and databases. Your new site should be functioning at full throttle before you take the next step. Do not terminate your contract with your soon-to-be former host until your email stops arriving from your old server.
It is a good idea to inform your visitors and customers of your move to a new host. This is particularly important if you run an online store because this assures customers that you are consistent in your service. When you notify customers and visitors of your move, make sure they have your new email address.
Once you are established with your new host, congratulate yourself on your foresight and courage. Your willingness to change for the good of your business will put you light years ahead of your competitors who may still be struggling with hosting solutions. As John F Kennedy said: “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
Copyright 2006 © Website Source, Inc.
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