How To Switch Hosts With Minimal Downtime
Thursday, December 24, 2009, 2:15 AM | Leave Comment
Sometimes you are not happy with your host service provider and you want to switch to another server. There is a way to do it without your visitors knowing it. As long as you take one step at a time and be methodical about it, you can switch over successfully. Here is a step-by-step approach of how to go about it:
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Check with your new host service provider
Check with your new host service provider if they support the same software and platform that you have been using with your old host. If some parts of the software are not supported by the new entity, make sure that they help you to “how to go around it.”
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Create a backup copy
Create a backup copy of all your website and databases, keeping all structures and links intact.
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Upload the databases and website
Upload the databases and website to the new host, keeping the website on the old host functioning while this step is done to prevent any disappointments to your customers.
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Test your website
Test your website on the new host completely, again keeping your website on the old host intact.
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Test your email
Test your email under the new host. Try sending emails to yourself and ensure all emails are received.
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Leave your website on the old host intact for sometime
Leave your website on the old host intact for sometime, may be for at least two weeks if not a month.
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you are now ready to work
After all of the above is done, with your website or blog on the new host.
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As long as you are methodical and take your time
As long as you are methodical and take your time, you should finish this project satisfactorily without the customers knowing what has happened. It should be entirely transparent to your customers.
