I operate an online clothing store. It's a custom built one, with even a custom CMS. For various reasons, including the fact that the hosting plan is coming to an end, i whish to change hosts. I've found several offers on the web (i need somebody from Israel), but as i do not get along anymore with the programer who built the website, i would like to do this job myself. Basically all i'll need to do i stransfer all files to the new host and chnage all reminder of former host, to the new one. Am i correct or is there something else? If it was my own site, i would have done it myself but as it's my wife's business, i don't want to end up on the park bench.... Thx for the help, PS forgot to mention that as it's an online store, it has an SSL certificate to secure information going to payment gateway (tranzilla). does that affect anything?
Of course not. He just wanted to advertise his company...in the wrong section, no doubt. It's not just the files that should concern you. There could be email addresses, databases, etc. Transferring just the files (i.e. via FTP) is not going to get that stuff. If it's an online store that is using some ecommerce software, I can almost guarantee there will be databases involved. If you are running cPanel and the new host is as well, the new host should be able to transfer everything for you. You can also make a full backup and ask your host to restore it. You will also need to make sure you have a dedicated IP address at the new host for your SSL certificate. The SSL isn't bound to a specific IP address, so changing the IP isn't going to do anything wacky with your cert itself, but the cert will have to be set up for the new server, and will possibly have to be reissued. Hope that helps.
Is your site managed via a control panel such as cPanel? If it is you can simply do a backup with a few clicks, then upload your backup file to your new host and do a quick restore. Control panel based sites including CMS sites and eCommerce sites are easy to migrate.
wswd, i understood what he was trying to do, but didn't want to answer rudely... current host does not have Cpanel, so the possibility of Backing it up and uploading everything again cannot be applied. As far as the SSL is concerned, i don't wish to purchase a new one as it is also coming to an end, since new directives from CC companies says that the the user will insert his CC details only on a trusted page of specific payment gateways (Tranzila for example). PCI DSS Obviously this is not something that i will be able to do on my own. do you think i can ask somebody here to do such a job?
As WSWD has said, your main difficulty will not be with the web site files as such, it will be all the ancilliary stuff associated with it such as the Database and your SSL Certificate. If it's windows hosting you're on, you may (or may not) have access to your databases to back them up, and your server (or control panel) to export your SSL certificate. You'll also need to check if there are any compatibility issue between your existing windows host and your new host (different OS, different version of Windows - shouldn't be an issue). CPanel is not a control panel for Windows The best thing to do is find your new host first. Explain your situation to them, show them your site, and ask them if they will help you. Not all hosts want to get involved in transferring files from one system to another, and there may be a charge to do this, but it's probably the best way to ensure you get everything you need and that everything is compatible. Some things such as exporting your SSL certificate may require the co-operation of your existing host, so be prepared to purchase a new SSL depending upon their reaction to you leaving - some are mature and will give you the export, others are not so helpful, some will help but will charge....they're all different. When it's a business-critical web site, moving hosts is not something to be taken lightly if you want your site to stay live, and the only person who can really help you is your new host....or consider staying with the existing one if there aren't any major problems.
Hi, this is issue has a simple solution. Just login to your cpanel then select all your website files then click on zip, after few seconds a folder will be created like this "folder.zip" download it and then upload it to your new server then unzip the mentioned folder on your ew sever so that all your files has been transfered. or you may use backup service. Hope that helps!
Didn't you read the post or title? He says he has a WINDOWS host. CPanel is a Linux control panel, and even if he was mistaken and was using a Linux host, not everyone uses CPanel. Not so simple after all.....maybe.
thx for the info and tips everybody i finally found a local hosting company where the guys were nice enough to help me out with the transfers. they're still dealing with a few bugs, mainly due to the online payment method and sales. as it's holiday season here, the damage wasn't 2 big. hopefully by tomorrow we'll be all settled.