Step 1 – File Download
What you are going to be doing is downloading everything from you website which is all of the files. Everyone of them that is used in your site. Start the transferring way ahead of the time you plan to leave the current host. Its takes time to do a smooth transfer. You want as least amount of problems as possible. Otherwise your site will end up being down for an undetermined amount of time until you get things rectified. . If at all possible take a least a month to do the download transfer.
Step 2 – Domain Name Change
Remember when you choose your new web host to ensure they have everything your site needs to operate at its optimum level. It would be wise for you to handle your own name transfer. Reason being, you need to get your files transferred before the domain name. The new web hosting accounts are usually set up within a 24 hour period so you need to make sure your files are transferred then do your domain name switch.
Step 3 – Backups are Critical
. Backup absolutely everything you have on your website. In fact make two copies. Then you have one to work with during your transition, and the original is left in tact. This way if anything goes wrong with the working copy, you can get rid of it, recopy the original and start over again. In addition try to create your new directory as closely structured to the old one as possible. This makes the download go much smoother.
Step 4 – The Upload:
Your new web hosting company most likely gave you a temporary location where you can up load and work on your website. This is really good because you can get all the prepatory work done, although you won’t be able to publish as yet. This must all be done before you change your domain name. While you are doing this open up a “catchall” email. This way you don’t lose your email contacts.
Step 5 – Name Change:
You really aren’t changing the name of your website; you are only updating the information connected with it. You are changing the company who held its registration which is your old web hosting server. It will be replaced with this new one that you have chosen.
Step 6 – Confirmation
You must receive at least one confirmation email for you name change. You will note the change somewhere between 24-48 after the change. It will take the same time for all DNS servers to note your new domain location. This is called a propagation period. Once this is all in place you can cancel the services of the prior host.
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