1. Signup for Web Hosting
The first step is to signup for web hosting with new web hosting provider. This will allow you to start transferring information between your old host and your new host. Make sure that you do not cancel your account with your current web host, until your site has been transferred successfully.
Once your web hosting account has been created with the new web hosting provider, you may receive a welcome email with your account information; this is normally done by all hosts. Your first task is to set up your email addresses, so they match your current email addresses, using your control panel. This will ensure your email is received correctly when you switch hosts.
3. Upload your web site
Download your current web site from old web host, into a folder on your computer. (if you have a recent copy of your web site on your computer, this will also suffice.)
Next, you will need to upload your web site using FTP (File Transfer protocol). Your FTP information can be found in your welcome email, as well as several FTP clients you can use. Most website building programs like Frontpage, GoLive and Dreamweaver have built in FTP functions. Alternatively you can use any ftp program available on the web, or use Windows file explorer.
Connect to your web space via FTP using the credentials in your welcome email. Copy/upload your web site to the web space. Most times, it is a simple case of dragging the files from your desktop into the directory indicated above.
Please place your home page file in the directory as instructed in the welcome email. The file is normally named index.htm, index.html, index.php, etc, so that it will load automatically when someone accesses your web site.
You can test your web site by using the temporary URL normally provided by the web hosting providers.
4. Change domain DNS settings
Next, you will make your domain name point to your new web site hosted on the new web hosting providers’ servers. To do this, you will need to update your domain name DNS details at your current domain name registrar. Every registrar has a different procedure, so it is best you contact them or use their online management systems.
It is vital that you change the DNS settings of your domain name, so that your domain name points to the new hosting providers servers (where your email, web site, etc is stored). If you do not change the DNS settings of your domain, your domain will still point to your old web host.
5. Wait for domain DNS settings to propagate.
After you have updated your domain name with our DNS settings, it will take up to 72 hours for these changes to propagate around the internet. During this time, people who access your domain name may reach your old web site hosted from your old provider or your new web site hosted with the new hosting provider. Ensure both web sites stay online for 72 hours, so the end user will always reach your web site.
Once your domain name DNS settings have fully propagated, your web site and email will be solely hosted from the new hosting servers and you are free to leave your old hosting provider.
This article has been published by 24×7 Outsourced Support, technical support service providers for web hosting companies, Internet service providers, Data Centers and Software companies. Visit us at www.24×7OutsourcedSupport.com
