Changing Your Web Host
A website is essential for establishing an online presence, and selecting the right server for your needs is crucial. Web hosting companies provide servers for customers to host their websites on. Understanding what web hosting is and the features you need to look for in a web hosting provider can make all the difference in selecting the best deal for your website. It’s common for people to want to learn how to switch WordPress web hosting providers if they’re unhappy with their current service. Some might feel like their content network distribution system needs to be updated, or maybe they’re just dissatisfied with its speed. Frequent downtime is a clear indication that you need to switch to a new hosting provider. Either way, people switch web hosting providers often, so changing yours is normal. Interested in learning more about WordPress and its origins? Check out this helpful article on What is the WordPress Content Management System (CMS).
Before deciding which server or provider fits you best, you should evaluate what features are important to you and what kind of budget you have available. Some web hosts may offer different payment plans or specials that could be beneficial. Additionally, it’s a good idea to read reviews from other users and study customer support ratings offered through third-party review sites. Switching to a hosting company that offers automatic updates can save time and reduce risk. It is also beneficial to choose a hosting company that stays updated with the latest trends and technology. Some hosting companies offer free migration services, which can be especially helpful for beginners. Doing your homework and talking with potential providers before signing any agreement or contract ensures that transferring providers will be much smoother.
In this article, we are talking about changing web hosting providers; in the next article, we discuss the costs to build a WordPress website.
Search for a New Web Hosting Service
Finding a new web host is essential to keep your website up and running. It’s crucial to take time to research web hosts before selecting them. Read through online reviews and customer feedback, looking closely at the deals they offer, their pricing systems, server configurations, content delivery networks (CDN), and the process for setting up a new hosting account. Make sure to consider how easy it is to configure your hosting account and whether the host provides clear guidance for server configuration during migration. Registering your domain name with a third-party provider separate from the hosting service you choose is also wise. This will protect you if you decide to switch providers at some point in the future, as this change will not affect your domain name. Additionally, be aware of your DNS provider and follow its specific instructions when updating DNS records to point your domain to the new host.
One such web host that comes highly recommended is Bluehost, which currently offers a special deal that includes a free domain name. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you need help finding their services satisfactory. WP Engine is another provider worth considering, as it can automatically install WordPress for you, simplifying the setup process. With all of these tools available, finding the best hosting service that suits your needs and can help move your website forward effectively will be much easier.
Next up in WordPress: Building a WordPress Website: A Beginners Guide
WordPress Hosting Providers
WordPress Hosting is a crucial element when it comes to getting your website or blog up and running. It is essential to know that there are plenty of web hosts out there that provide the requirements for WordPress. However, choosing one from the vast remainder can be difficult and time-consuming. Luckily, organizations such as WordPress have gone through hundreds of thousands of web hosts to determine what best fits in the rich hosting environment that would provide the best environment for a successful launch of your website or blog.
Some WordPress hosting providers also offer migration plugins or free migration services to help users move their sites easily.
SiteWired
SiteWired is one of the oldest and most well-established web hosting companies on the market today. Established in 1998, SiteWired is a well-respected provider of WordPress hosting services. With Bluehost, website speed is maintained regardless of traffic levels. Technical assistance is available 24/7 via phone, email, and chat for troubleshooting purposes related to creating or managing your WordPress site.
In addition to offering top-notch service, Bluehost is rated #1 in web hosting for businesses. Bluehost can also automatically install WordPress for new users, making setup faster and easier. To make their services even more attractive to potential customers, they offer a special 63% discount to WPBeginner users, a free domain, a free SSL certificate, and a free Site Builder with templates. With such a fantastic offer from one of the most reputable providers on the market today, it’s no wonder that many people choose SiteWired for their WordPress website hosting.
SiteGround
SiteGround is a WordPress web host well-recognized in the WordPress community, with numerous awards and endorsements from users. Their offering includes premium, optimized plans best suited for WordPress websites in terms of speed and security. SiteGround also provides exclusive speed and security solutions to enhance its service further. WPBeginner runs on SiteGround Enterprise servers so that we can attest to the efficacy of their services first-hand.
Performance tests for the server show excellent results — a load time of under one second (491 ms) for a server located in Dallas, Texas. We’re sure users worldwide with varying connection speeds will be just as pleased with the performance they get when they choose SiteGround as their WordPress host.
Dreamhost
DreamHost is a reliable web hosting provider that has been around since 2002. Their WordPress hosting solutions offer one-click installation with an official recommendation from WordPress.org, the creators of the popular open-source CMS platform. Our performance tests show that DreamHost servers are fast and reliable, with a test site in New York City loading in under one second, faster than 93% of tested sites.
On top of this great speed and performance, they also passed our Load Impact test with flying colors by successfully handling peak traffic hours. This shows us that DreamHost is as fast as a regular web host and can easily handle any unexpected traffic spikes or sudden website popularity whenever needed. Overall it looks like DreamHost delivers on its promise of exceptional web hosting consistently, no matter what the uncontrollable circumstances may be.
HostGator
HostGator is well-known for providing reliable hosting services. Its WordPress hosting plans have made it one of the most sought-after web hosting companies, with over 8 million domains hosted. HostGator has continuously been driving to improve its performance, which can be seen through our performance tests. We tested a WordPress website on HostGator’s server and found that it loaded in 1.03 seconds—faster than 94% of all tested sites. This illustrates their servers’ power, even for a brand-new website with no traffic.
However, speed is only part of it when choosing a web host. To get the best results from your WordPress website themes, you’ll want to ensure that the hosting environment is secure and optimized for optimal uptime and stability. HostGator offers unbeatable support to ensure that any issues you may incur will be quickly addressed and resolved soon so you can focus on growing your business instead of worrying about managing your web server. Along with its stellar support team, HostGator provides various tools such as automated backups, premium security features, and an easy-to-use control panel – these features give you control over every aspect of your website’s performance so you can focus on providing exceptional experiences for visitors.
Hostinger
Hostinger offers excellent value in WordPress hosting with its competitive prices, 24/7 customer support, and a rock-solid platform. According to web hosting statistics, over 1.3% of websites are hosted on Hostinger – signaling their rising popularity in the WordPress community. We ran some performance tests using our test site and Load Impact to understand how well Hostinger’s WordPress hosting can handle traffic during peak hours. The results were encouraging — our test page loaded exceptionally quickly, even during peak times when website traffic was highest. This indicates that if you need reliable hosting for your WordPress site at an affordable price, then Hostinger is undoubtedly worth considering.
The benefits continue; Hostinger offers a speedy and reliable platform for your business and provides all the necessary tools that any website owner needs for optimal performance. Along with excellent customer support through live chat, widgets, and WordPress plugins are pre-installed and ready to use – meaning you don’t have to worry about setting up extra software or services before launching your website. Everything from unlimited storage space and domain names to automated daily backups is included in their service offering – making them an excellent choice for anyone looking for an easy solution to web hosting.
Migration Services or Manual Migration
When deciding whether to use a web hosting migration service or do it manually, consider the time and technical knowledge it takes to switch hosts successfully. If you’re unfamiliar with website technology and need more hours to dedicate to a manual setup, then using a host-provided service is likely your best bet. A web hosting migration service will usually connect to an existing database on your old site and automatically transfer all the necessary files onto the new server. This is often done quickly and securely, ensuring minimal disruption to your website during the transfer process. Alternatively, migration plugins are available and are often the fastest way to migrate small to medium WordPress sites. Plugins like Duplicator and UpdraftPlus can simplify the entire process by packaging files and databases for transfer.
On the other hand, if you possess technical knowledge and enough time to troubleshoot potential errors that may occur in the process of transferring files, then going manual might be best. Manual migration can be challenging and involve numerous steps, such as changing domain nameservers or IP addresses, configuring database settings, transferring files with FTP programs, etc. Despite its difficulty level, this option allows users to exercise more control over their data management as they can select what needs to be moved and add customization options that free tools may not provide. However, using a reliable migration plugin reduces the risk of human error during the migration process.
What are the Pros and Cons of Using Migration Services?
Using a service to migrate your website can be extremely helpful and time-effective. You only have to enter the minimal amount of data into the software at your new hosting provider – like your credentials from the old host – to begin the process. The provider handles everything else automatically, taking all the potential hassle out of an otherwise complex task. Some hosting providers even offer free migration as part of their package, making the transition even easier.
There are a few downsides to using a service for site migration, though. Firstly, this kind of assistance generally comes with an extra cost from most providers – though some may include it as part of their standard package – and secondly, there’s always a risk that mistakes could go unnoticed during migration, leaving you with unforeseen issues post-move. As such, it’s wise to thoroughly check all aspects of your setup after switching for any discrepancies that may arise during the transition process.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Manual Migration?
Manual migration is a process in which you move sites or applications from one environment to another with no external service involved. This process offers complete migration autonomy, including control, customization, and full access to the source and destination files. Manual migration requires using tools like FTP to move your site files and phpMyAdmin to edit and manage the database. You will need to export your database as an SQL file from the old host and import it into the new host using phpMyAdmin. Additionally, you must update the wp-config.php file with the new database information, including the database user, database name, and password, to ensure your WordPress site connects properly to the new database. However, manual migration can be time-consuming and cause operational costs associated with the process, such as updating incompatible software components. Other problems may arise if users need more technical skills or have a limited understanding of the system being migrated.
Manual migration could benefit those with specific requirements and needs that cannot be met by using an external service since users can customize the process according to their preferences. In addition, manual migrations also make for good Disaster Recovery processes as data can be secured at every step in the transfer process due to its extensive nature. On the other hand, attempting a manual migration can also bring complexities, such as problems performing operations on systems unfamiliar to those trying the task, compatibility issues between new and legacy systems, and potential downtime during transfers due to incompatibilities that require additional configuration.
The Migration Process
To ensure a smooth migration, start by choosing a time when you aren’t planning to publish new content. Before beginning, set your DNS Time to Live (TTL) as low as possible to minimize downtime during the switch.
Several steps are common to both methods, whether you choose the manual or host-provided migration process. The first step is to ensure that all the data from your old hosting provider is backed up. This will help if any issues arise during the transfer process and allow you to restore your website quickly if needed.
Next, consider using a staging environment to test the migration before going live. The next step in the migration process involves setting up the new hosting service. This includes configuring the server settings and domains, setting up email accounts, and transferring your website files to the new server. Enable a maintenance page or maintenance mode during the migration to inform users and minimize downtime.
Before the final step, test your site thoroughly before updating DNS records. You can access your new site using a temporary URL provided by your hosting provider before making DNS changes to ensure everything works as expected.
Finally, it would be best if you informed your visitors that the change in hosting providers has occurred by providing a message on your website.
Downloading Your Website
Once you have decided to switch hosting providers, the next step is to download all your WordPress files from the root folder (such as public_html) of your existing site. You may need to access your old server to retrieve these files. Make sure to download a complete backup file of your existing site, including both the website files and databases. This may prove tricky unless you control both the domain and the hosting, and they may not easily give up their data. You’ll need to contact the web host directly or use the web platform’s control panel if one is available.
Once you’ve found your website’s files, you’ll want to ensure that you back up any databases associated with your website. Depending on what platform your site was developed on, there might be multiple database types that need backing up — MySQL databases are commonly used in popular CMSs like WordPress. Ask your local tech expert for assistance if it all seems too complicated. Once obtained, download these files onto a secure local computer location, so they’re ready to package and transfer over to the new hosting provider when needed.
Exporting Your Database
Exporting a website database is an important step in the process of transferring web hosting. Depending on the types of databases being used, the method may vary. Fortunately, using phpMyAdmin as a tool makes exporting and importing databases much more effortless.
If cPanel is used as the web hosting, exporting a database is simple with phpMyAdmin’s user-friendly interface. To migrate your WordPress site, you should export your MySQL database as an SQL file using phpMyAdmin. Even if users need help understanding each element they encounter while navigating, they should still be able to execute this task alone. This would include things such as downloading backup files or data file dumps. When moving to the new host, you will need to create a new database and then import the SQL file into this new database to complete the migration. Additionally, relying on your previous hosting provider to learn details about how to export can also prove very useful in these cases.
Importing Website Database
Uploading and importing your website and database is a crucial step when switching hosting providers. All the necessary details should be worked out beforehand with the new host to ensure everything runs smoothly. When using an SQL-based website, you should first create a new database on your new hosting account, then use phpMyAdmin or similar tools to import the SQL file into the new database. After importing, update the wp-config.php file with the new database information—such as the database name, username, and password—to ensure your WordPress site connects to the correct database. On the other hand, setting up a simple static website which often contains a business landing page, can be as easy as uploading files from the old provider straight into a public html folder of the new one. Thus, it is important to download all files before switching accounts to avoid any inconvenience or possible downtime when moving over. Bluehost, for instance, provides detailed instructions on how to do this.
Using a File Manager
Using Bluehost’s File Manager to upload your files is a fast and efficient way to get the job done. You will need to log in to your cPanel account, locate Files, select File Manager, and double-click the public_html folder to open it. This public_html folder is the root folder of your new host, where you should upload all your website files, including any installer files generated by migration plugins like Duplicator. Make sure to transfer all of your previously downloaded files, along with the installer files, directly into this root folder. It is that simple!
The benefits of using Bluehost’s File Manager are numerous. For instance, you can quickly and easily access files stored on your server and set file permissions or passwords for better security. Additionally, File Manager allows you to easily compress large folders, making them easily downloaded as one file. Lastly, whenever you have an issue with a file not showing up or having difficulty moving it around in the directory structure, it’s no problem when utilizing File Manager – allowing you to quickly resolve any pesky issues.
FTP Upload
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, it is a convenient way to upload and modify files from multiple computers. FTP clients such as FileZilla make it easy to manage the editing of files across different machines. When setting up an FTP client, the user’s username, password, and FTP server name will initially be required. Once these details are inputted on the server, a folder showing all its contents will be visible. This often includes a public_html folder with all the crucial files necessary for uploading or making changes. It’s like having a designated dedicated space to manage or host your website files.
Using an FTP client helps save time when quickly transferring data as opposed to using file managers which can limit how many files you can modify in one go while offering no security protocols. You’ll also get access to check each file’s specific history, which allows you to keep track of any changes made by different users on any device connected over the network at any given time. Furthermore, most browsers now come with built-in support for FTP clients, so you won’t have to install them to use them manually.
What is a Dynamic Website?
A dynamic website is a very versatile type of website, as it can house large amounts of data and be updated quickly and easily. It uses databases to store all the necessary data so the website can process it as needed. The databases are often stored on a dedicated server, providing added security against malicious actors. This makes them especially useful for large organizations or businesses that need to keep data up-to-date on their websites.
These websites can be built using custom code or one of the many popular content management systems (CMS) like WordPress. When migrating a WordPress site, you need to create a new MySQL database and a database user on the new host, assign the correct privileges to the user, and record the credentials for integration. The database must also be exported with the site’s files during the migration process. Bluehost provides an easy way to do this via PhpMyAdmin – after logging in, locate the “Database” tab before opening the PhpMyAdmin interface and following its instructions from there further. Moving a dynamic website between hosting companies has always been challenging – you only need to worry about ensuring that information is transferred correctly. Your data stays secure throughout the whole process.
Using a Content Management System
Content management systems like WordPress, Blogger, and Joomla are simplifying the process of website migration. Through their native migration options, you can transfer an entire website with only a few clicks. For example, if you’re migrating a WordPress site to a new host, you must launch the Import & Export option and let it handle the rest. Additionally, you can use migration plugins like the Duplicator plugin to automate the migration process, create backups, export data, and restore your website efficiently. To install migration plugins, simply search for their names in the WordPress site admin search bar and follow the WordPress installation prompts. By eliminating much of the manual work involved in traditional web migrations, these tools make it easier to relocate websites quickly and safely.
Another great benefit of content management systems is that they enable platforms to be easily worked on together as a single entity. This means that different developers or teams can easily collaborate on the same project while retaining complete control over their contributions. Additionally, regular updates are pushed out automatically, so users can handle keeping up with changes for the website or platform to stay secure. All in all, CMSs like WordPress provide an incredibly convenient way for businesses and individuals to build and manage digital products without the heavy lifting required by their alternatives.
Testing the Website
Once everything is set up and transferred over, it’s important to check that all the files were moved correctly and that your website is functioning as expected. After migration, perform a full post-migration check by testing all internal links, contact forms, and site functions to ensure everything works properly. You’ll need to use the new hosting provider’s control panel or FTP client to access your website’s files and folders. Once you’re in, make sure to check each page for any errors or broken links, and verify there are no missing images. Update your permalinks after migration to ensure they are refreshed and working correctly. Clear all caching on your WordPress site and your browser cache after the new site is live on the new host to avoid conflicts with old cached files and to ensure you see the new site. If everything looks good, then you’re ready to go live! You may want to set up a 301 redirect from your old hosting provider so that visitors don’t get confused when accessing the website at its new address.
Additionally, use tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights or web crawlers such as Screaming Frog SEO Spider to uncover any sitemaps or content errors that may have been missed during development or lead generation processes. Taking time out of your busy schedule to perform these tests can ensure that everything is up and running as expected, no matter what kind of traffic comes in through search engines, emails, or other sources when visitors land on your website’s performance homepage.
Switch Your DNS
Updating DNS records is a critical step after migrating your WordPress website to a new host. These records determine how users and search engines access your website, and making the correct DNS changes is essential to ensure your existing domain points to the new IP address provided by your new hosting provider. If you do not update the DNS properly, visitors may encounter an error page when entering your URL.
To update your DNS records, obtain the new IP address from your hosting provider and follow their instructions to make the necessary DNS changes for your existing domain. After updating the DNS, be aware that DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few hours up to 48 hours to complete. During this period, your website may not be immediately accessible from all locations, but once DNS propagation is finished and the changes are verified, visitors will access your website from its new server seamlessly!
Uptime
Monitoring the uptime of your website is critical to ensuring a successful online presence. Fortunately, it is easy to keep track of your website’s performance with various tools and apps such as Pingdom, Uptime Robot, and Monitor Us. When a new DNS is assigned, you will want to confirm that everything is working correctly and ensure there are no issues over the coming days by actively monitoring the server’s uptime.
These distributed monitoring systems will track relevant aspects of your new site, such as ping speed, domain name service (DNS) server, HTTP, and TCP port performance. Examining these metrics helps you diagnose problems quickly and avoid costly recovery efforts when dealing with a potentially malfunctioning system. This will enable you to quickly identify any errors or malfunctions on your website and take appropriate action to decrease downtime so customers can enjoy uninterrupted access.
Broken Links and Website Issues
When you move from one server to another, you must stay alert for missing links and different site structures. Despite the best intentions, assets such as graphics may be misplaced or forgotten. As such, it’s important to watch out for 404 errors in order to ensure that your website is functioning correctly and all the links are intact. After migration, make sure to update internal links and use search-replace operations to update URLs in the database, which helps prevent broken links and ensures your site’s structure remains consistent.
To troubleshoot these issues, you should regularly check your 404 logs to identify any broken links or non-working assets; this way, you can be sure that they get repaired or replaced quickly and efficiently. Above all else, try to make the user journey seamless by avoiding broken links at all costs! Alternatively, rather than displaying a blank 404 page, you could try redirecting visitors to other working pages on your website.
Email Accounts
Switching your email to a new web host can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. In most cases, the transfer of mailboxes, contacts, and other data is automated and seamless.
If your email is hosted through a domain registrar, like GoDaddy or Namecheap, you must change the DNS ‘A’ record to point to the new host’s IP address. This can be done quickly from your web hosting customer portal. If you use a third-party service such as Microsoft 365 or Google G Suite, companythey require that your MX records be modified in the new DNS settings on your new host’s server. Once these have been updated and propagated across the internet – usually just a few minutes – all you need to do is inform your contacts of the switchover.
Database Corruption
If you experience any difficulties with your database during the transfer process, it may result from data corruption. With the WordPress platform being so popular these days, we’ll discuss potential solutions to this issue specifically for this platform.
Once you’ve successfully re-uploaded the website content, remember to turn them back on, as they are essential features of your site. If your WordPress database is corrupted, the first thing to do is try again, disabling all plugins beforehand. However, if that doesn’t work or you can’t even access the dashboard anymore due to a corrupted database, consider other options, such as manually updating and reinstalling the core files in your WordPress installation folder or completing restoration from a backup before initiating a new transfer attempt. Unfortunately, whichever method you use will require technical knowledge and patience due to encountering possible bugs.
Migration Services Support
If you don’t feel comfortable transferring your website to a new host by yourself or don’t have the time to waste, you can use a migration service like the Bluehost support team that can do it for you at an affordable price. This service costs $149.99, and it includes moving up to 5 websites with 20 email accounts. This way, your site will look and work the same as before when the transfer is complete.
The Bluehost support team will ensure that all critical files and databases are sent over successfully, and your sites will be 100% functional after the transfer is completed. By trusting their expertise and skillfulness, you can relax while they care for everything for you. Some hosting providers also offer free migration services, which can be a safe and convenient option, especially for beginners. It’s also worth noting that if something goes wrong during the transfer, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s no risk involved.
After the migration is complete, remember to delete any migration plugins or backup files used during the transfer for security reasons.
Previous Hosting Providers
Canceling your previous hosting provider’s account is essential in switching to a new hosting provider. By doing so, you can avoid any unnecessary charges if you no longer need that service. Before making the final cancellation, it’s recommended to download a complete backup of all of your website files and content, as issues can arise at any time. Additionally, before migration, you should set your DNS Time to Live (TTL) as low as possible on your old server to minimize downtime and caching issues during the transition. Having this information on hand will ensure you don’t suffer any losses.
This backup should include more than just the primary site data too. You should also have a complete record of your email accounts and settings, databases, SSL certificates – anything related to your website and its services. When you have all these files backed up and ready for safekeeping, go ahead with the cancellation process of your existing hosting plan to avoid racking up additional costs without fully utilizing their services.
Conclusion
In conclusion, switching to a web hosting provider is easier than one may think. Potential risks are involved, and a few items to consider before making the switch, but these can quickly be addressed by planning. By following the steps in this guide, you can make the switch with minimal downtime and inconvenience. Additionally, if unsatisfied with your current service, feel free to look for another provider.
Switching web hosting providers is an important decision that should not be taken lightly. Once you’ve decided on a new provider, follow the steps outlined in this guide to complete the process in a carefully planned manner. Be sure to do plenty of research on any possible service as well as read feedback from other customers or clients who have used their services. This way, you’ll minimize downtime and potential complications while receiving the optimal benefit from your new web hosting provider.