How to change your web hosting provider

Are you not satisfied with your current web hosting provider? Did you find a better and cost effective hosting provider? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes” then it is the time to change your web hosting provider. Changing your hosting provider is not an easy task, however. Especially, if you operate a website with heavy traffic. Even minutes of downtime can cost you a lot of money in terms of missed opportunities or reputation damage.

If done carefully, however, you can change your hosting provider without much downtime. Following are the steps that you should take for a smooth transition.

Select The New Web Hosting Provider

If you are not happy with your current hosting provider, choose your next hosting provider very carefully. Then, talk to the support staff of the new hosting company and ask for the support to shift your website.

Backup Your Website

There are many ways to back up your website. You can back it up manually or you can use different tools. Whichever method you use, test your backup before the actual move.

Record Passwords and Other Information

There are many things that you need to record, in addition to the backups you made in the previous steps. Record them and keep them in a safe place.

Communicate with Your Users

Changing your web hosting provider causes small downtimes. Tell your users about the time of the expected website move so that they do not panic.

Upload Your Website to the New Hosting Provider

Now, it is the time to upload your website to the new hosting provider. Again, you can do it manually or use some utilities to do it for you.

Change Your Domain Name Record

Change your domain name records so that your visitors can find the website in its new place.