Time at host, does it help or hurt?

It seems that the longer a domain name has been around the better for serps. Does it make any difference if you've been with the same host? I'm considering switching hosts after about 7 or 8 years because they suck and keep doing updates during the day which screw things up for me.
Will my rankings get hurt by switching to a new host?

 

It will not effect the SEs as long as you do not have any downtime during the migration.

 

Agreed.

How not to have downtime when switching host.

1. Get a new hosting services first.
2. Upload your site files and preview the site if possible.
3. Switch nameserver setting for your domain.
4. Wait a few days for dns info to propagate.
5. Call the old web host and tell them cancel your account.

NOTE: some host will try to block your switch and give you hard time if you registered your domain through them. Make sure you know that you have full access to your domain name before proceeding.

 

Agreed. I did this last year and did not experience any negative consequences.

 

I am wondering...let's say the process is delayed & it affects the SE. won't everything go back to normal following the next crawl of the site by the SE?

 

That's an interesting question, KA1. I'd also like to know the answer.

 

I'm in the same boat - switching Hosting Services - but I'm doing it for cost reasons. I just wanted to say thanks for the above advice, since I was coming here with the exact same question. People here totally rock!

 

My thinking is that aslong as you keep the same site structure and keep the same names on all pages, there should be no negeative effect from switching hosts. However I have never done it.

 

never heard of anybody being penalised by moving hosts - unless they are moving to a shared host with a bad ip address.