Home | Site Map           
   
     

Web Hosting Service - What you Need to Know to Change Web Hosting Providers


When service at your web hosting company is lacking, or your web site grows in traffic so much that you outgrow your current account, you may find yourself needing to change hosting providers. It can be scary to think about everything you need to do. Here are some things you should keep in mind that will help make the transition to the new host much easier.

1. Backup all of your files and databases

Before you decide to transfer anything over, you need to create a backup of every file and database you have on the current hosting provider's server. FTP into your current hosting account and copy all of the files from your public_html directory into a directory on your local hard drive that you'll find easy to remember later.

As for the database, backup methods will vary according to the database vendor, the control panel being used by the host if any, and the operating system of the server. Most providers provide a backup utility that allows you to save a copy of the contents of all of your database tables. If there isn't a simple backup utility available, you will need to export the contents of your database in a comma delimited file or the standard file format for the particular database you use. Most backup utilities will convert the database into one long SQL file that is then easy for any compatible database engine to reconstruct.

2. Transfering to the new server

Make sure that your website is functioning properly at the new location before you change the DNS information of your domain name. While it may not be possible to fully navigate the site without the domain name pointing to it, you can still point to some individual pages to be sure they will come up. For this though, you'll need to use the IP address of your hosting account along with your username if you have a shared IP address. On a Cpanel server, you would enter http://61.36.149.221/~username and your main website will come up. You can use this address until the DNS information from the domain propagates throughout the web.

3. Tidy up the loose ends

Upload the backup file of your databases or execute the SQL file you generated in the backup. This should restore your database back to what it was on the old server. Change the nameserver information for your domain name. This is almost always found with the registrar that you registered your domain with or with your old web hosting provider. They almost always assign you a username and password that allows you to log into an account that allows you to change the nameservers. If you don't have a control panel, then simply email the company that registered your domain for you and ask them to change the nameservers to the new servers. Within 24 to 48 hours, your website will be served from the new server and not the old one. Once you can confirm this, it is safe to ask the old web hosting company to delete and discontinue your old account.

This article was written by Joe Duchesne, president of http://www.yowling.com/, a web hosting company that specializes in helping online business owners increase their website traffic. Copyright 2004 Yowling. Reprint Freely as long as you link back to my website from this resource box.


MORE RESOURCES:

Yahoo! News Search Results for URL
Yahoo! News Search Results for URL

Google Power User Tips: SERP URL Parameters
In Part 1, we looked at query operators for refining our searches. Now for Part 2, let?s look at parameters that we can add/modify in the URL of the the Google SERP (search engine results page.)
Twitter Adopts OAuth, Expands URL Shortener Roll Out
Twitter aims to forgo passwords, and push an enhanced URL shortening service designed to heighten security and provide relevant content.
Twitter launches T.co, its own URL shortening service
Today social networking site Twitter announced that it has launched its own URL shortening service, T.co, that will be integrated into its Twitter service. It appears that the service will not, at least initially, be available for use in non-Twitter applications. Services like these are used by people to create shorter URLs that are more friendly to mobile and take up less space in text messages ...
Twitter To Roll Out URL Shortener To All By End Of Year
Twitter's link shortener, available to all by year's end, hopes to boost security, but is bad for th
Twitter URL-shortener to keep track of all links clicked
The microblogging site has said that all users will be switched to its own link shortener, which will allow the company to record and analyse what they click on ( ZDNet UK - Security )
Twitter crackdown on hackers posting links to viruses with launch of URL shor...
The company said the move was being taken to improve security, which has been hit by links which lead to fraudulent sites.
Duke Nukem Forever appearing at 2K's PAX booth [update: pictured!]
digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/duke-nukem-forever-rumored-at-pax/'; "OMG, Duke Nukem is at PAX!" At least, according to an effusive tweet from Joystiq alum Dustin Burg. In addition, a source at the convention told Joystiq that images of Duke Nukem are visible at the 2K booth, which has yet to open to the public. The Gearbox logo can be seen, but the ...
Guitar Sidekick brings your phone to your guitar, while your guitar gently weeps
digg_url = 'http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/guitar-sidekick-brings-your-phone-to-your-guitar-while-your-gui/'; You may not want to be seen rocking one of these at your next gig, but if you've been trying to juggle your phone and guitar while using some of the endless number of apps out there, you might just want to consider this so-called Guitar Sidekick from Castiv ...
New Report - U.S. Digestive Health Ingredients Markets (2010 - 2015) - Market...
DALLAS, Texas, September 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Buy this report now: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/digestive-health-ingredients- 225.html (Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the space if one exists.) This market report analyzes the trends ...
New Pro Feature Easily Embed Facebook 'Like' buttons in Tabsite
Facebook TabSite is pleased to announce the roll-out of a new feature for TabSite Pro accounts. With a couple clicks and a webpage url to 'Like' , it is incredibly easy to add the Facebook 'Like' to your TabSite. You can add the 'Like' for people to 'Like' your Facebook Page, or you can specify product url's from your website so that visitors on Facebook can 'Like' specific productsThe 'Like'...

 

 

Foto Log | Perfect Laptop | Webdesign Place

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved URLMaster.com