A website migration is the process of moving the files from a website for a web hosting company to another. A migration can happen for several reasons:
1. You have extended your website and more web space;
2. You need more features (ie a database, shopping cart hosting or multimedia file);
3. You get a better deal on the web site hosting;
4. Or a relative / friend / colleague has server space and has offered to> Host your site for little or nothing.
Whatever the situation, doing a website migration is inevitable. It's like a house to another. In this article, I'll give you a few tips to make the big move to make as smooth as possible.
Tip 1: Schedule the Migration.
The best of the migration to schedule when there are so many web users visiting your site. Check your website traffic (or get your online marketing department) to see if the trafficlow, for some cases the night or weekend, depending on the site. For a corporate website can be the weekend, but for a game website, it might be three days.
Tip 2: Set all stakeholders.
Ask anyone and everyone with an interest in the site, not only internally (employees, shareholders), but externally as well (supplies, customers and visitors). A simple link to the date and time of migration and the expectedcompletion date should suffice.
Tip 3: Set a cut off date for changes.
Set a deadline for all content updates must be submitted. Suggest a major additions to the website (ie new sections, new features) until after the migration. A good benchmark is three days before the migration. Any changes beyond the deadline will have to wait until after the move.
Tip 4: Back-Up website.
The day after the due date content, back-up on the site. This meansall files, images, scripts, and other multimedia files. "One can back up on the website on a CD-RW (rewritable CD disk), Zip Drive, or an external hard drive. It is important to back up a site not just for a migration, but weekly or biweekly if possible. The bonus is that you have an archive of the site.
Tip 5: Make sure your new web hosting information.
These include:
1. FTP (File Transfer Protocol Information):
a. The host name. This may be theInternet Protocol (IP) address. This is a numerical address of the physical server (big computer that is almost always on), where the site will live.
b. The user
c. The account password
2. The Control Panel login information.
This is the operating manual for the web host will be located. It may or may not have the same information as the FTP login. You need this information to activate features for your website such as webrepresentation, databases, shopping carts and other interactive features.
3. Domain name servers.
These are the addresses of the servers where the new website will live. Most web hosts Eat 2 to 3 domain name server addresses reserved. You will need this information to the domain name (www.yourcompany.com) transfer to the new web host's server (s) to all Web site files are transferred.
Tip 6: Test the "new" website.
Test thenew website type in either the dedicated IP address or shared hosting address. Make sure all links work and are not going to error pages. This is the time to correct it.
Tip 7: Fix the form (s)
If you have any forms on your website, be sure to go to the control panel of your account for directions of how to shape to adapt to work with the new server. Most web hosts' plug and play "web forms that are easy to implement. If youuncertain about how to use a form to enter, contact a web programmer and / or the support department of your new web hosting company.
Tip 8: Test the form (s)
Make sure all forms are busy by doing several tests. This could mean that the form is sent (via email) to the right people and / or to ensure the information is included in the database.
Tip 9: away from the site walk for a while and test it again.
It's good to step away and look at thewebsite again. If possible, ask someone who is not a player to look at the website to make sure nothing is out of place. Something is almost always at this time.
Tip 10: After everything checks out, you can go to your domain registrar and change the domain name servers (DNS) to your new web host. Log in to your domain registrar account and replace the old DNS addresses with the new addresses Web server typically changes take 2 to 3 days to take effect online .. Therefore,It is recommended that this be done during a low traffic period, such as a weekend, so it does not interfere with business operations.
Post Migration Tips:
1. Wait a day or two to see if the migration worked by typing in the domain name to the website to see the new server. Test the site again to make sure all links work and all forms are operational.
2. Continue to check out the website at least 2 to 3 weeks before the announcement of the old web hostingcompany to cancel the account. It is not uncommon to forget to make a move. The transition time will help to ensure that every successful move.
3. Also continue to actively test the website and pay attention to the use of patterns. It is not uncommon to see the changes and how visitors access information on the site.
4. Archive of the old site of the previous web host. You never know when you will need to re-pay, especially if the decision isto go back to the original web host.
A website migration need not be stressful if the process is broken down into steps and plans. When a website migration is handled accordingly and done well, your website visitors would not have noticed that a website migration occurred.
