I am considering going with hostgator or bluehost. I can transfer all files, but what I don't know ahead is whether I will be able to set my domain account plus upload all files to the new host and ONLY THEN point DNS to the new location. In other words, I worry that first I will need to add my domain to the new host, then change DNS, and only then ftp/upload all files including .sql files into the new empty folder - because this way my site would be off line for longer time. Or I was wondering, is there a better way how to make the transition smoother? Thanks for your help any one.
Set up the site at the new host and then do the DNS change late at night. By morning your new site will be operational and ready to accept the day's traffic. That is how I recently moved around 15 of my sites to a new server. my 2c.
Thank you baumann93. So that means, even without DNS change, I can ftp or somehow upload gunzipped files to the new host even before the domain is active there? I had no idea I could do this without changing the DNS first. Where will I have to look, or what will I do?
If your website contents are dynamically changing / updating with your database such as discussion forms etc., then changing a host is tricky, but not impossible. I would do is to have a free DNS account from http://www.everydns.net/ and manage my site DNS in it. Once my site is propagated with the everydns then at any time I can change my host without having to wait upto 48 hours for DNS propagation. If your site contents does not change every day in that case it is simple, first sign-up and account with the new host. You can connect to the ftp using the IP address, transfer all the files, login to the Control Panel and upload your SQL. Now you have the same contents in your old and new hosting server, so you can change the DNS of your domain, in 1-2 days all the traffic will be pointing to the new server. Hope it helps. If you need more info, ask.
Yes, you can access the ftp using your new host IP address. If your current host is on cPanel, then find a new host with cPanel and most probably they will help you to pull your site contents free from your old site using cPanel backup option
Oh I see, thanks smartcard! I think I am getting there with helping Just one unclear dilemma. I will not have unique IP yet I think, even though I will buy one. How will I ftp to the shared IP? How will I set up my ftp client, using also ftp login ID/password? I thought it works only after DNS change, but I must be wrong!
At the moment I use Plesk panel, and the one of two I am about to choose have the cPanel I won't be hopeless with SSH etc. just this uncertainty about what i'll be facing. Mainly how to send files in, then I can unwrap it all and restore mysql dump.
The new host should give you the account name/number. When you ftp the shared ip you will be asked for the account name/number. Same with SSH.
The new hosting company will give you the the IP address, it does not have to be your own IP, you just need the IP address of the web server where your account is hosted. In the ftp client you will enter the IP address instead of your domain name, user name and password. By the way what is the size of your db and other contents.
The whole site has 58Mb in total, many pages and images, I could split it in 2-3 lots if needed. The single db has only 5Mb, mysql. Thank you both of you, first I had a thought that ftp-ing using shared IP won't work as I could upload to someones else's www space(?) This is unrelated; how do I give you the green reps here? Because you've been great help to me really!
58mb Not a big deal, if you have SSH access to your current host, Tar it and from your new host you can wget it (assuming your new host has ssh enabled) The db, if you have Phpmyadmin create a export tar file and upload the same using phpmyadmin in your new account. Remember, you can access your cPanel also without dedicated IP or domain such as http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/~account-name/cpanel If you need help just PM me
This is promising perspective now. Thank you heaps. I reckon I am sort of prepared for when I see it in an action. It's very late here, time to bed but tomorrow I am getting the new account. With hostgator I guess. Smartcard thanks for the offer, so if I got lost I will PM you. I added to reputation for both of you, actually if it's done by clicking on the scales button (located right-top on each post) I hope the green rep's for members are sent from there.