When one decides to change the web hosting server, it is a somewhat difficult task to search for a similar or even better web hosting company that suits one’s website. There are certain very important things that are needed to be kept in mind while one is changing the web hosting company and moving to a new one. Below are some of the important steps that one needs to follow while moving the website to a new web hosting server.

Before one decides to go for any particular kind of web hosting service, check whether it provides one with all the necessary features that the current web hosting service has been providing to the website. Check if one is getting enough disk space, the monthly bandwidth, and almost 100 percent uptime guarantee. Also check whether one will get special web scripts, e-mail, e-mail forwards, auto responders, add-ons, security features like fire walls and antivirus, the programming languages, website control panels, and other such important web applications.

Also, before opting for a new web hosting service, all its agreement clauses should be checked carefully. If one feels that certain clauses need more clarification, the web host should be asked immediately. It will save the money and more frustrations later, if one is careful in the early stages. If the new web hosting service has its own forums, then time should be taken to read the important threads and posts on that forum.

There will be many happy or unhappy customers writing about their experience with the hosting company. These views provide more information about the new hosting company’s service quality and how quickly the support team addresses various complaints. One will also get the idea of how good the entire hosting service is, and how professional their staff is. How often the websites experience site downtime, and how long it takes for the support team to get those websites online again, should be checked. Such scrutiny is important to get the information needed before opting for the new hosting service.

Also, the compatibility of operating system with the new web hosting server should be checked and does it match one’s existing one. One needs to also check whether the entire website is compatible with the new web hosting server. Checking the compatibility of the web hosting server with the entire website is important. This is because of the fact that if both are not compatible then one may have to recode one’s entire website, or at least a major part of it, to make the website compatible with the new web hosting server. In the process, one may cause irreparable damage to one’s site.

Set up one’s domain name to point correctly to the new name servers. Again, new host should be asked to help one in doing this. While the domain is being propagated to the new web server, many clients and web visitors will complain of one’s website being either down and non accessible, or the data becoming non relevant. Some may be able to see the new content, while some may only see old content. But these issues will pass away within 2 to 3 days. If this is not resolved, then one must again approach the new web host and seek immediate help from its support team.

Once all these important concerns are confirmed, one can go ahead and register for the web hosting service. After going through the preliminary requirements, time should be spent setting up the e-mail accounts. One’s new web server must have all the e-mail related details set up, or one may lose important e-mails from one’s clients and web visitors. POP3 and SMTP set up should be available.

After one has signed up with new web hosting company, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) should be set up correctly by the new support team.

After uploading of web files is complete, website should be tested thoroughly. The loading of various web pages and their graphics should be checked correctly along with the external & internal links.