How To Transfer Web Hosting

Many business leaders, web hosts and entrepreneurs want to know how to transfer web hosting from one company to another. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1: Sign Up To The New Provider

The first step is to sign up for a new provider – the host that will receive your website from your existing carrier.

If you are considering transferring to a new web host, you probably already have your reasons for making the move. Perhaps you want to pay a lower price, access higher bandwidths, or get access to better cybersecurity features. Pick a service that fulfils your criteria and always check the small print.

Step 2: Backup Your Website Files

Backing up your website files in storage makes it easy for you to recreate your website exactly as it is now over on the new host. Save your uploads, articles, plugins, themes and scripts using an FTP account.

Step 3: Export Your Database (Optional)

The most common website database tool is MySQL. To export data from here, you’ll need the phpMyAdmin app. Enter the app, select your website’s database, and click Export >> Go. Then transfer the data to the same location as the rest of your website files.

Step 4: Create And Import Your New Database

To create a new database, you first need to open a blank database. If you are using MySQL, log into your new hosting account and go to the MySQL Databases section. Then create New Database.

Next, import your existing database. Go to phpMyAdmin and click the + button under your username. Select the database you want to import and click Import >> Choose File >> the name of the database you want to import >> Go.

Step 5: Move Your Files Over

Once your database is installed, move your files over. You’ll need to edit the code of files to match them up to the new database on the new hosting server.

These edits need to be accurate and specific and depend on the CMS that you use. You may require a professional to help you with this step.

Step 6: Upload Your Website’s Files

Once you sync your files with the new database, you can upload files to the new hosting provider via your FTP account.

Step 7: Test Your Site

Next, test your site to ensure that everything worked correctly.. Quality hosts provide a staging environment (using a different URL) so that you can check your website thoroughly before it goes live. However, you may need to go live immediately.

While testing your website, ensure that links and pages work. Make sure that your SEO has carried over properly.

Step 8: Update Your DNS

Lastly, you’ll need to set your DNS so that it points towards your new host. The process will depend on where you register your domain.

Once that’s done, all that’s left to do is cancel your subscription with your old web host.