Tips In Transferring to a New Host

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Bear in mind the following tips when looking for a new web host!

Be sure that the new web host plan offers plenty of storage space let alone be able to handle your current websites storage requirements. The size of the website is 50MB, then one must check for the plan that offers at least that much space or more. In case one is not able to make estimates about the space required then they must ask their current host. The control panel of your current host can also give you plenty of information about the current status of your website.

Secondly, you need to know what operating system your current website is programmed in. In most cases it will be PHP, but there are many other languages out there that are not compatible with all hosts. Such as ASP which requires a Windows based server, and there are many others. If your website is a plain vanilla static PHP website, any host you choose should be able to accommodate you without any problems.

Does your current site use FrontPage? Make sure you find this out before switching over to your new host. You need to make 100% sure your new host will be able to support the FrontPage extensions.

Today with the increase in bandwidth available on the internet and the competitive rates, bandwidth is usually not a concern. If you host does not offer unlimited bandwidth with your plan, be sure to check how much they do offer and be sure that it meets with your requirements. You don’t want to be left with a high overage bill at the end of the month! Many have been left very far deep in the red, if their website appeared on a popular social website such as Digg!

If your web host manages your email, make sure that the new host has sufficient mailboxes for you to use. A better bet, would be to use a separate email host to manage your hosting, if you decide to change hosts again, this cuts out a lot of extra worked needed to get email working again. An excellent provider is Google Apps.

If your site is using a shopping cart, first as stated before make sure that the new host has the right software to host your website. Next you have to make sure that the shopping cart used on your website can be easily integrated into the new host. Most hosts offer all the vanilla flavoured shopping carts which are used on the majority of websites so you should be fine. Double check to make sure.
Any script can be essentially installed on any server, bearing in mind the server supports the language the script is written in. However, if you really heavily on one click installs, as you can’t be bothered with the technicalities of the script, be sure to check that your new host has these specific scripts available to you.

If you are new to hosting, and know you will have problems uploading your website to its new location. Check with your new host if they will do it for you. Most hosts will transfer the first website from your old host for free, and there after incur a small fee for each subsequent website. Double check with them so you are not left stranded and out of pocket.