Aplus.net Blog

It’s usually a last resort, but sometimes it’s just necessary to switch hosting providers. Maybe your contract is up and you realize that the host you’ve chosen doesn’t have the capacity to meet your needs. Maybe you’re looking for a company with better customer service or lower prices.

But how to go about the process of switching providers? And how can you prepare for this possibility before the fact?

Start off by anticipating a potential switch. Make backups as frequently as you feasibly can. Make two at a time. Even if you never switch web hosts, this should be a priority in managing your online business.

Of course, be as organized as you can. Have all your data, especially your FTP files, well documented. You should always know the location of all files used by your website. And remember, using an independent FTP server means you won’t have to worry about moving all those files (and redirecting all their data).

Next, gather all the relevant info you’ll need in one handy document. Get the DNS data for both your old and your new web hosting providers. Get info on your old site’s server environments. Get the temporary URL of your new host so you can monitor it before and during the change. Get all the server specs you need in advance.

Before you switch, inform your customers and any visitors to your website about what’s going on and that they know when your site will be briefly down. Make sure your customers have your new email address, and make sure your old one redirects to your new inbox.

Lastly, monitor! Keep an eye on your old account after the switch. Keep it active for a few weeks to make sure the transfer was successful and that all loose ends are properly tied up.

Switching web hosting providers should be an action not taken lightly, but if you prepare yourself, it can be a relatively painless process for your online business.