Moving to New Web Hosting Provider Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

We all know how moving in general can be hard, and difficult. But moving your web site to a new hosting provider can be a nightmare. Here are a few simple steps on how to help. Keep in mind HostUSA is always here to help you along the way.

Step 1: Purchase web hosting from the new Web host.

Step 2: Backup your website and any databases from old hosting provider.

Step 3: Set up at the new host.

Although they won’t work yet, set up your email accounts at the new Web host. If you use sub-domains and/or a MySQL database, also set these up now following the host’s instructions. Use the same email addresses, database names and passwords that you used at your old host.

Step 4: Upload to the new host.

Log in to your FTP account using the temporary login information that your new host has provided and upload all of the files you previously backed up to the new server. (You cannot log in with “ftp.yoursite.com” as the domain name is still pointing to the old host.) Be sure to keep the directory structure of the files the same as at the old host. In the case of databases, import backed-up files usingphpMyAdmin from the control panel.

Step 5: Test, test, test.

Using the test URL provided, make sure your Web site is working and viewable. The only thing you can’t test right now is email. Don’t panic if there is a problem—your visitors are still safely viewing your Web site on the old host.

Step 6: Change DNS settings.

Log in to your domain name account, find the DNS settings, and update both of the name-servers. Your new host should have already emailed you with the information to input here.

Step 7: Wait 48 hours for the settings to change.

It usually only takes a few hours for the migration to occur, but it can take up to 48 hours for everyone, everywhere in the world, to catch up. During this 48-hour period you actually could have one visitor viewing your Web site on the old host and another viewing the Web site on the new host.

Step 8: Check that everything has updated.

Using a WHOIS domain tool, check the name servers. Are they the servers of the new host? Also, check that your email is working on the new host and check to see if any email went to the old host during the DNS update.

Step 9: Cancel the old Web hosting account.

Once you are absolutely sure that everything is working on the new host, perhaps after testing it out for a few days, you can finally cancel your account with the old host.

If you need help with any of this information, HostUSA support staff are on call 24/7 and ready to help you. Submit a support ticket at support@hostusa.us, we also offer this process free as a HostUSA customer. You may also contact our support staff and will get some information and then handle the whole migration process for you at no additional cost.

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