After putting a great deal of time and effort into developing a web site, the last thing you want to do is transfer to a new web hosting company. But sometimes, for reasons outside of your control, transferring to a new host can become necessary. Unfortunately, this can often result in many problems including the site going down for hours - days - or even weeks, lost traffic and undelivered email messages.

Transferring web hosts doesn't have to be so painful. We have helped many companies through seamless transfers without lost email, down time or lost traffic. In fact, e-Business Express has developed a transition plan specifically for companies who elect to transfer their web sites to our servers. Here's a short check list on transferring hosts from lessons we have learned along the way:

1. Make a backup copy of your site

Make a fresh backup of your entire web site before canceling your account with the web host. Better safe than . . .

2. Make sure your new host can support your site

It's surprising how often people change web hosts only to find the new host can't support their site (ie. they don't support Active Server Pages or Front Page extensions). Make sure your new host can support the technology used to build your site before you change hosts.

3. Let your host do the transfer

Transferring your pages can be as easy as uploading your existing pages or as difficult as a complete rewrite of code. If you expect to have a more difficult transfer, you can save a great deal of time by selecting a web host willing to transfer your pages for you.

4. Register with the search engines

Be sure to register with the search engines and directories as soon as your site is ready for launch on the new server. It usually takes about 6 weeks for the results to show from the major search engines and directories.

5. Move your traffic

If your site is hosted on a sub domain for your web host, (ex. Yoursite.webhost.com) your traffic will stay with your host when you move. To move the traffic to your new host, setup the new site and continue to maintain the old site for at least 3 months, redirecting traffic to the new site. If you own your domain name, your traffic will move with you when you move to another web host.)

6. Timing is important

If you own your domain name you will have to update the domain registry to reflect your new web host’s name server. Updating the domain registry usually takes 24 to 48 hours to take effect and should be initiated by your new web host at no charge to you. However, it can be delayed for weeks if you are not listed on the domain name record as the administrative or technical contact. To ensure a seamless transition to your new host, be sure to time your move request appropriately and ensure you have access to the email account listed as the administrative contact for the domain name.

7. Check the Whois database to ensure your changes are correct

48 hours after submitting your domain name registry change request, do a whois lookup to ensure the changes you intended to make were completed.