Transfer to new host provider without having to experience downtime
We sometimes face a situation wherein we need to shift to another web host provider. Although these instances are consoled by many ideas and recommendations on how to process the changing of host provider, the truth remains that for some people the task for web host transfer is scary and intimidating. Well, it doesn’t always go like this. People can easily shift from one web host provider to another as long as he knows the necessary steps to be taken, along with their sequencing. This write up constitutes various steps on how to do site transfer without having to experience downtime.
Before you engage into any related procedure, you must keep in mind one important reminder – Never terminate your occurring hosting account not unless you already completed the entire procedure, from A to Z. Your experience with your existing host can be totally embarrassing, however you must understand that your existing hosting account must be kept activated until you confirm that your site is completely and 100% functional with its new web host provider.
Now, here are the things that you must do to transfer site to new web host provider without tolerating downtime:
Create your new account
Select first your new web host provider. Remember to consider the major factors that affect the web host service. After choosing the right web host provider, sign up on the selected hosted package.
All files from the old account must be backed up
Although this task is simple and less complicated, it may consume longer amount of time depending on web site size. Access our previous hosting account then download entire files through FTP. Any used databases must be supported. Bear in mind that albeit the completion of file back up, your old account must not be cancelled, at least not yet.
Upload Files to the new account
After you finished backing up files from old account, proceed to the new host account. Upload your backups through the hosts FTP.
Make mail accounts
Make e-mail accounts for your newly made hosting account and make it an all exact email accounts with those that you already had on your previous host provider. This will prevent any loss of email the moment you alter the addresses of the DNS. Once you complete this task, email addresses on both old and new accounts must match.
Verifying Links and Files
Check your site, page per page, and make sure that all of your links can properly work with the new host. To perform this task, you will have to make an impermanent URL on the site. Make a sub-domain of a different URL and direct it on your new site through mirroring. See if your provider is able to give you the capability to make an impermanent URL (reliable web host companies offer this ability).
Altering DNS
Once you confirm that all of your files were properly uploaded and all of your links function properly too, you can then alter your DNS. Your host must have given you their settings for DNS. The applicable place to alter addresses of DNS is to whoever the domain name has been registered with.
Wait until alterations of DNS propagate
It usually takes 24-48 hours before DNS alterations propagate to the internet. Within the waiting period, website is still served on the old account. Once DNS propagates, site will finally be served on the new host. During the completion of propagation, entire requests for domain shall be given out from the new host.
Old account cancellation
Cancel old account after ensuring that that domain name has already propagated and is resolving on the new account.
