How to transfer a website without downtime: FAQ

[webcs]

I have owned a site for several years. Host was good but they got progressively worse. Would not answer emails. I hung on but couldn't take anymore. The basic reason was that I had no idea how to transfer my site easily. I assume a lot of you are in the same boat.

Went to google, really did't find much info. But there on the right was an add that advertised exactlyw aht I wanted. A transfer with no downtime. Even file transfers. In the end I had to do nothing.

Don't know anyone else who is offering this, so pardon me if I toot them, but I used http://webcs.com for this. There was a little problem with permissions on one of my scripts, because they tell me the directory structure changes slightly when you move. But nothing but glowing praises. If your in the same boat and don't know how to transfer your files safely and uptime is important, A+ rating.

Anyone have transfer horror stories themselves?

[michaelfoo]

Hello,
Follow these steps:
1. Get a new hosting account.
2. Transfer your data to the new account.
3. Update the NS1 of your domain name.
4. Change the DNS Entries for your current hosting account. You might need the help of your current provider. Just change the ns, www, ftp & mail entries to point to the new server. Besides, you may setup mx for the new server on your current server.
5. Wait for the NS1 to propagate. After that, update the NS2 of your domain name.

This way you should have the most minimal downtime. Please note that however 100% downtime-free is impossible.

Thank you and I hope that helps.

[Tris]

I have owned a site for several years. Host was good but they got progressively worse. Would not answer emails. I hung on but couldn't take anymore. The basic reason was that I had no idea how to transfer my site easily. I assume a lot of you are in the same boat.

Went to google, really did't find much info. But there on the right was an add that advertised exactlyw aht I wanted. A transfer with no downtime. Even file transfers. In the end I had to do nothing.

Don't know anyone else who is offering this, so pardon me if I toot them, but I used http://webcs.com for this. There was a little problem with permissions on one of my scripts, because they tell me the directory structure changes slightly when you move. But nothing but glowing praises. If your in the same boat and don't know how to transfer your files safely and uptime is important, A+ rating.

Anyone have transfer horror stories themselves?

I hate to be mean or anything about this or even comment really as I am sure your intentions are good.

You talk about moving your website with the company http://webcs.com and that is fine its the fact that your username is webcs that gets me thinking "this story is made up and its just some advertisement"

[Rapid]

yeah i am also a bit concerned

i do not picture anyone being to happy with a host that they would use their company name as their alias, unless of coarse its your company, some feedback from the original poster would be nice!

[roshar]

yeah i am also a bit concerned

i do not picture anyone being to happy with a host that they would use their company name as their alias, unless of coarse its your company, some feedback from the original poster would be nice!

Never mind, it is a good subject.

The way I would do it is the following:
1. I would set everything up (my web site and the whole shabang) at my new hosting provider.
2. I would add one more host header (or ServerAlias) on the original web server (e.g. www2.mydomain.com). Also I would add this subdomain to the DNSes of my new and my old hosting provider. (Of course if you have separate dns server you do that just on that one DNS server).
3. Then change the web sites settings of www.mydomain.com to be a redirection to www2.mydomain.com.
4. I would change my domain name servers at the domain registration company (if needed).

This way you will not have downtime.
Of course both of your hosting providers have to assist you with this.

[kalina]

This thread could come in handy for some, thanks for sharing your experience and like some of the others have stated, I hope you're honest and are really their client and not the owner or something.