Checklist for Changing Hosting Companies

Switching over to a different hosting company can be an overwhelming (and downright scary!) task.  Most people put if off and stay with a host they are unhappy with because they worry about their web site going down and losing business during the transition.  However, switching hosts can be a painless process without a minute of downtime when you know exactly what to do and what steps to take.

Here’s the checklist I use with my clients when helping them switch to a new hosting company.  It works like a charm every time:

1. Locate the information needed to log in to your domain registrar.  This is where you registered your domain name.  Popular domain registrars are GoDaddy, Register.com, eNom, Network Solutions, etc.  Then actually log in to your account to make sure the info you have is correct and that your account is accessible.
2. Open up an account with the new host.  They will send you a welcome email with all your set up information on it.  Print it out and keep it in a safe place. Log in to your new control panel and get your email set up. If you use Outlook Express for email, you will notice that there is a checkbox in the program that states, “include this account when checking email or synchronizing.”  Don’t check that box for now. (Also, DON’T delete your current Outlook Express settings for your email that is set up with the current host).
3. Download all your web site files from your current host onto your computer.
4. Upload all your web site files from your computer to your new host.
5. Log in to your domain name registrar and update your nameservers with the info that you received in your welcome/setup email from your new host.  This is the actual step that transfers your web site from one host to the other.  It normally takes 24 – 48 hours for the transfer to complete itself.
6. Once the transfer has taken place, you will no longer receive email from the old host.  If you use Outlook Express, you’ll need to go into the account settings that you set up in #2 and check that box that I told you not to check – “include this account when checking email or synchronizing.” Do that for each email address.  When you’ve verified they are working (when you are receiving email from them), then delete the Outlook Express accounts that use the settings from the former hosting company.
7. When you’re confident everything is working properly, you can cancel your hosting account with the old host.  Most of the time, they will give you a prorated refund if you’ve paid in advance.

You’re done!

Need a host?

I only give recommendations for products and services that I actually use myself.  Therefore, it’s with confidence that I recommend my own hosting company to anyone who is looking for a better host.

Pair.com has been my hosting company since 2003 and is the hosting company I use for almost all of my clients. They are also the host of choice for usability expert, Jakob Nielson.

I honestly have nothing but nice things to say about them.  I’ve never had a minute of downtime that I know about.  Their customer service is superb.  Their control panel is intuitive and easy to use.

What I love most is that they allow you to have multiple domains using just one hosting package.  This feature alone can save you hundreds of dollars a year in comparison to other hosts that require you have a separate hosting package for each domain.

Pair has a nice offering of different packages to choose from, all reasonably priced.  And if your hosting needs change in the future, you can easily upgrade or downgrade right through your control panel.

And here’s a little secret…if you enter in the word REFUGEE in the coupon code box when you sign up, they will waive your set up fees!

If you need a hosting company for a first-time web site or if you’re looking to change because your current host is less than stellar, I think you will love what you get when you switch to Pair.

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