You want to change web hosts because you have found a less expensive solution for your web site. You are not happy with
services your host is providing. The response time for technical support is too slow. You make decision to change web hosts. Now you are faced with daunting task of switching web hosts without losing files and beautiful design of your web site. How do you achieve this? Here are steps you need to take:
1. Make a complete copy of your web site. Use your favorite FTP utility (I use SmartFTP.com), to download all files to your computer from your web host. Don’t assume you already have all files on your computer – you may have added some scripts from Net that are on your server but not on your computer.
If you are using Dreamweaver, use GET command to copy all your files.
If you are using Frontpage, use import feature to make a complete copy of old web site.
2. Choose your new Web Host. Choose a new Web Host that meets needs of your web site (www.isitebuild.com/webhostarticle). If you don’t know how much space you need, read article: “How Much Hosting Space Do You Need”? – (www.isitebuild.com/hostingspace).
3. Transfer your domain name Contact domain name registrar (place where you registered your domain name) and change Domain Name Server (DNS) or Name Server information to your new hosts DNS information.
Your site is going to experience a downtime while your DNS record is being changed and propagated through world's WHOIS servers. It will take about 24-72 hours for process to be completed.
Maintain any existing services set up on your old domain name such as email forwarding, web pointing and website hosting until transfer is complete to ensure continuity of your service.
You can check progress of your domain name transfer by using a Domain Name Search facility such as Whois.net. You should see details change from your previous Host to your New Host when transfer is complete.
4. Upload all files to your new Web Host. When you are sure your domain name has been transferred, upload files to your new Web Host.
Dreamweaver – define your site first, and then use PUT command to transfer all your files and html pages. This will ensure that your whole web will remain intact with transfer.
