How to Move to a New Host

icon1 Posted by Rochelle in How To... on 02 13th, 2008 | no responses

I recently changed who hosts my websites to HostGator and went through the scary process of moving my Build A Niche Store (aka BANS) sites to HostGator. Trust me when I say I know how nerve-wracking this is. But it is not hard to do. So, take a deep breath and then proceed to the instructions.

I use HostGator so the images and instructions below are for this host. If you host with a different company then your steps may differ.

 

My instructions to move to a new host:

Step One
 Log in to your old hosting account’s cPanel (the one you will be moving from).
  
  Backup every database you have using the steps found here.
  
 Backup your entire site using the steps found here.
Step Two
 Log in to whoever you purchased your URLS from (i.e. GoDaddy).
  
 Change the DNS (Domain Name Server) information so your site is directed to your new hosting company. Your new hosting company should have emailed their DNS addresses to you. There will be two different addresses for you to enter.
  
 You will need to wait a few minutes before proceeding to the next step as the site is directed to your new host.
Step Three
 Log in to your new hosting company’s cPanel (the one you are moving your sites to, such as HostGator).
  
 Add all of your URLs to your account. This includes both add on domains and sub domains.
  
 Note: If you are unable to add your URLS then you didn’t wait long enough in the above step. Wait another minute or two then try again.
  
 Note: This step may be unnecessary but I’m not sure. I didn’t do a full restore when I moved my sites. It will not harm anything if you add your URLs to your new hosting account and then do a full restore in the next step.
Step Four
 There are two ways to move your sites files to your new host. Which method you use depends on whether all of your sites where hosted on a single account or coming from multiple accounts. When I moved to HostGator I was consolidating from three separate hosting accounts into one so I was unable to use a Full Restore so I used the partial restore method.
  
 Restore your sites by one of the following methods:
 
  • Full restore – Use this method if all your sites are being moved from a single hosting account
  • Partial restore – Use this method if your sites are being moved from several hosting accounts
Step Five
 Restore your databases using the steps found here.
  
 When you are done restoring every database go back and make sure that every database has a user associated with it.
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That’s it, yet it isn’t it. When you move your site from one host to another you will probably have a 48 hour period where your site will switch back and forth between your two hosting companies. Wait until 48 hours has passed and then view your site again. It is possible that a file or folder didn’t upload correctly and you weren’t able to see it previously because you were viewing your site on the old hosting server. If something doesn’t look right then you may need to re upload files or folders.

Also, I suggest you not close your old hosting account until you are positive that you no longer need to download any files from it.

Lastly, don’t forget to move your email accounts to your new hosting account before you cancel it.

Rochelle

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