How Do I Change Web Host Services?

This is yet another question I get routinely - if a client wishes to find a new web host service for any reason (price, number of services offered, quality of support, etc.), the question becomes "how difficult is it to move my site to a new web host service?" The short answer is: not difficult at all.

Generally, you can move to a new web host service with no interruption to your web site - no one will even know that you've moved. Below is a description of the process most people will be able to follow. However, I would be remiss if I didn't give a caveat: "your mileage may vary," so please contact me before you move your site, just to make sure there aren't any "gotchas" that might pop up and bite you.

The steps are as follows:

1. You provide me with your domain registration information - that is, the company name/web site where you registered your domain, along with the login id/password for your domain registration account (if I don't have this information already). There's no need to give me access to your domain registration account if you prefer to change the DNS information by yourself.
2. You open an account with a new web host service and send me the new account login/password.
3. I upload your web pages into the new web host account and setup email boxes for you (if necessary). I will provide you with the new email server info.
4. I login to your domain registration account and re-direct your domain from from your old web host service to your new web host service (that is, if you don't do this step yourself).
5. After about 24 hours, the re-direct will take effect. Once I verify that your domain name is pointing to your new web host service, I will call you and let you know. At this point, the world will be viewing your web pages at the new web host service and your email will be flowing into your new email box, so you can call your old web host service and close the account and change your email settings on your computer to start reading email from your new email box.

The one thing you must be prepared to do on your own is change your email settings. I will give you all the new information (new email server name, email box login id and password), but you must know how to change these settings in your email software yourself or have someone on hand to help you. I can try to guide you, but it is very difficult to diagnose email problems over the phone, so this method should not be depended on to resolve your email issues.