Web Host - Swtiching Web Hosts

A Web Hosting Article Contributed by Raj Rao

Web Host - Expectations

Web Host is a critical service for doing business on the Internet. Web Hosting is the backbone of all the content and commerce based Internet Services.

Even though you may have spent considerable time researching the Web Host available in your area, and decide on the best possible option, it is not necessary that the arrangement is permanent. There are many reasons why you need to switch Web Hosts.

The most important reasons is unfulfilled expectations of bandwidth, technical support and critical features. At times, if the Web Host is selected before the website is designed, the requirements for web hosting and the features provided by the web host may not match.

Switching Web Host

If you find the need to switch your Web Host, it is recommended that you have sufficient time on hand before you do the switch, as the physical movement of the data, transfer of Domain Name to a new Web Host and consequently a new Name Server, creation and testing of E-mail accounts and testing of the website takes considerable time and effort. Any switch done in an emergency could prove to be a disaster.

You should also consider keeping two web hosts for a period of 2 weeks to ensure that all the data and services have been successfully migrated. Before you settle on a new web host, it is recommended that you write down the requirements from the web designer or web programmer and meticulously match each requirement against the features offered by the new web host.

The sequence to be followed for switching the web host is:

a) Sign up and create the account with the new Web Host;

b) Test all the services using an IP address including the Web Site, E-mail accounts, Database Servers, FTP Accounts, and all other services that you have opted for;

c) Copy all the data from your current Web Host (without deleting them) to the new Web Host and test the same;

d) Create E-mail accounts and test them using an IP address or web-based E-mail client;

e) Test the website thoroughly and look at the website log (of the new web host) for errors that could have occurred without your knowledge;

f) Transfer the Domain Name to the new Web site;

g) Take backup of the data from the old web host;

h) Ensure that all E-mail boxes are empty (including Sent Folders); i) close the old web host.

Tips for Identifying a Good Web Host

It is essential to complete the Web Designing and Web Programming before you search for a Web Host.

Prepare a list of critical features and technologies that are required from the Web Host based on your discussion with your Web Designer and Web Programmer. Most important feature is the Operating System. If your programmer has developed application in a Linux based environment, then choosing a Linux web Host is your priority, irrespective of all other features, as many of these features could be replaced by other features.