So I have a forum right now and I originally started it with a partner. After around 6 months problems were caused between both parties and we separated and he no longer works on the forum yet I continued it. Anyways I have all the files on my FileZilla along with the Hosting through Host Gator yet he owns the domain. The forum has over 1,400 members and over 10,000 posts so my question is what to do? Buy a new domain and change it?
Ask him if he wants to sell the existing domain? If not, get a new one and redirect the old one to it before he pulls the plug on you and you can't redirect.
+1. Also back up all your files, including FTP, DB etc. just incase he somehow gets into your cpanel and deletes it all.
So he doesn't want to sell the domain name, now how do I go about switching domain name and redirecting the old one?
I would personally hate to loose it. Without the domain you really wont have much option but restart with those data. Even if you restart with a new domain, existing users might raise questions.
I think I will be able to explain to users so how do I redirect the domain if I do not owe it, is it possible or do I just have to give users a head start notice a week or so before the switch?
just buy a new domain and send an email to user about domain change and also write NOTE on forum header before switching to new doamin but at first try to take/buy domain from partner even it cost much
I would put a landing page that would show a brief message that the forum has been moved to xxx.xxx and then do a redirect after x seconds. Make sure to use the .htaccess (guessing you are on linux box) to all page requests gets to that landing page.
He sounds like such a winner of a partner he probably forgot how to change nameservers anyway. I don't know the person, but people forget stuff like that. I'd go with DP's advice though. Makes more sense, much safer all around. The landing page is like any other webpage. Just use your logo and create an index.htm (.php whatever) that includes a 301 redirect and an apology for any inconvenience. Set it to 10 secs or so and BAM! They will be at your forum. Google up that 301 redirect and just replace what is in the example with your site info.