Before you dump your current website hosting provider, use the following tips to carefully select a new web hosting company.

New Hosting Checklist
  1. Until, you have confirmed that your new web hosting provider is compatible and will enable your website to perform, do not inform your old web hosting provider about your plans to terminate or switch their service.


  2. Operating System. Review your hosting operating system. Confirm the type of functionality that your site needs to operate.


  3. Platform. Remember to verify the type of operating system or database that your site uses. An accidental change from NT to UNIX can cause unexpected problems.


  4. Back-up storage. Remember to back up your old site. More importantly, use several CDs to burn several copies of your old site and save them. Be sure to make copies of your log files so that they can be compared to site statistics from your old and new systems.


  5. Directories and CGI Scripts. Determine if your new host uses the same default directory names for CGI scripts and other files. If not, re-coding will be necessary.


  6. POP Email Accounts. Check to make sure that your new host uses the same e-mail protocols. If not, changes will be needed in your e-mail client.


  7. Upload your new web hosting site. Upload your site to the new web hosting provider.


  8. Configure communications. Set up all e-mail accounts, e-mail aliases, auto responders, databases, scripts, etc.


  9. Htaccess files. If you use .htaccess files to restrict access to certain directories, make sure you do this on the new host. If you've never heard of .htaccess, do nothing!


  10. Interactive media. Test and check all scripts, shopping carts, and any other interactive elements.


  11. Conduct link checks. Run a link checker program.


  12. IP protocols. Test the new IP address opposed to the URL because if you check the URL address you maybe testing the old site.


  13. Change your DNS settings. To modify your DNS setting, go to your domain name registrar's site and locate the DNS or nameserver option. Insert the new primary and secondary nameserver information that is provided by your new host. Verify the changes by replying to an e-mail sent to the address you used when you first registered your domain.


  14. Use email programs. During your web hosting transition, continue to check both your old and new e-mail accounts. A simple method to employ is to set up parallel accounts in your e-mail client (Explorer, Outlook. Eudora, etc.). When you stop receiving mail in your old account, just delete it.


  15. Cancel your old hosting account. Switching your hosting provider can take one to two weeks for all nameservers to point to your new host. Maintain both sites running concurrently for a while. Do not cancel your old web hosting account until adequate time has transpired.
Use the above tips to make your web hosting transition a smooth segue and fast and a hassle-free transition.



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