Many offer great deals, and fantastic features, and are helpful when it comes to attracting customers and building businesses.
So, with so many web hosts offering great services, it comes as no surprise that people often switch from one web host to another.
However, this is not always a simple thing to do, especially when switching to a new web host often means website downtime, which can be very detrimental to a business.
In this article, we will discuss how to switch to a new web host with no downtime, plus more!
What Is A Web Host?
A web host is a company that provides your website’s space on their server and makes sure it stays up and running 24/7.
There are many different types of web hosts out there, but most offer similar services. They all charge you monthly fees for their services.
Hosting companies offer a wide range of services, from shared hosting to dedicated servers. The cost varies depending on the type of service you choose.
Some also provide additional features such as email accounts or databases.
Hosting companies usually offer several plans, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right plan depends on your requirements.
For example, if you want to start a blog, you should consider using a free plan. On the other hand, if you run a large site, you might want to opt for a paid plan.
Why Do People Choose To Switch Web Hosts?
There are many reasons why people switch web hosts, but most of the time, it comes down to the fact that people are unhappy with their current web host and want to try something new. Let’s take a look at a few examples!
The first reason is that they need more storage space. If you have a lot of photos, videos, documents, etc., you may not be able to store everything in one place.
You can use multiple websites to store these files, but then you’ll have to manage them separately. This means you’ll have to upload them again whenever you change web hosts.
The second reason is that they need better performance. Your website needs to load fast so visitors don’t leave before reading your content.
It’s hard to achieve good performance when you’re sharing resources with hundreds of other sites, or the web host is experiencing regular blackouts, a lack of good customer service, or requires extra charges for services that other web hosts do not.
Ultimately, there are many great web hosts out there, and it is almost inevitable that website builders and owners will want to try something new eventually.
What Is Website Downtime?
With everything that goes along with switching web hosts, including the restoration of databases, transferring website files, subdomain configuration, etc, it can take a long time for your website to be up and running again on your new web host.
The time when your website is not up and running is known as “downtime.” During this migration process, your website is not accessible to customers.
Why Should Website Downtime Be Avoided?
It is vital that you do everything you can to avoid website downtime. This is because it is not optimal for your business.
As a business, you may suffer an incredible financial and reputational loss if the downtime was to occur while you are switching to a new web host, and this is important to avoid due to the competitive nature of the digital economy.
The majority of businesses cannot afford to lose clients, so it is important that the downtime of your website is minimized or avoided.
Is It Possible To Switch To A New Web Host With No Downtime?
Yes! It is very much possible to switch to a new web host with no downtime. All you need to do is follow this step-by-step guide! The entire process is very simple!
How To Switch To A New Web Host With No Downtime
Follow these simple steps to switch to a new web host while avoiding downtime!
Step 1
The first thing you need to do is sign up for a new hosting company. However, to avoid downtime, you should avoid telling your current provider that you will be canceling your hosting package.
You should also avoid canceling it yourself, for now.
This is a common mistake that people make, but it is important to keep your new web host’s plans a secret for now because your old web host will terminate your site if they find out, and this will cause downtime.
Step 2
Once you have signed up for a new hosting provider, you will have two hosting accounts. So, you will need to take the entire site from the old hosting provider to the new one.
There is an easy way to do this! You simply need to make a backup of your files.
Then, you need to connect to the file transfer protocol (FTP) of your old web host, download your files, connect to the FTP server of your new web host, upload the files, and you’re done!
Step 3
Now, you need to back up your databases on the old web host. Once you have obtained these backup databases, you should upload them to your new hosting provider through the FTP.
Once you have done this, it is best to restore your databases from the backup files, which can be done through the control panel – the primary interface for controlling your website.
Please note that any emails you may need, will not transfer. However, you can archive them through a POP3 connection to every email address so they will be downloaded to your local PC.
Step 4
Now, you need to update your domain name servers (DNS) domain name. The correct DNS will be provided by your new host, though you may need to contact them to access the information.
Once you obtain the new DNS, you should update your domain name through the registrar. However, if you purchased a new domain name through your new web host, then they will need to do this for you.
Step 5
Following the previous step, you will need to wait at least 48 hours for the installation process – when your site loads exclusively from the new host.
However, this time will not be downtime, as your site will load at random from either the old hosting server or the new one. After two days, it should load exclusively from the new host.
Step 6
Lastly, you need to cancel your hosting plan with the old host. You should only do this once the 48-hour change-over has passed and your updated DNS functions properly.
When you cancel your hosting plan with your current host, it is important to remember that if you bought your domain name from them initially, you do not cancel your domain registration.
And that’s it, the entire process of switching web hosts. Once you have completed the last step, you will have successfully changed web hosts with no downtime!
Final Thoughts
Downtime usually happens when you are in the process of moving from your current hosting provider to your new one.
When you are switching web hosts, it is best to try and avoid downtime. This is because downtime negatively impacts the finances and reputation of your business in a world where it is not advisable to lose customers or clients.
While this can feel like a complicated process, all you need to do is follow the basic steps above and you will be able to avoid downtime and keep your website up and running in between hosts!
Hello, my name is Matthew Jacobs and I have made a living on various blogs and websites. But, trust me, I haven’t always been able to say that with such confidence.
Hopefully this website can teach others and help you in getting your blog out there, capitalizing on it as much as you can, and can serve as the kind of resource I wish I had had. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and make a name for yourself!
