Transferring to a new host?

I've never transferred a website to a new host before so I want to get this right the first time. First of all when you transfer to a new host does your site now have the features of your new host (for example new bandwidth limits, storage etc.)? How does the Wordpress database get transferred? And when you transfer does your site experience any downtime? Lastly does anyone know which host I should use? I currently use yahoo but I'm going to exceed the 200GB limit and I've had several 500 Internal server errors recently. I've been looking at AN hosting, bluehost and dreamhost, but advice is welcome.

Thanks I've been looking into this whole process and it seems really confusing

 

To transfer the wordpress database you need to do a mysql backup and then import this into your new host using MyPHPadmin. There might be some downtime on your site but for me it usually isn't very long. When you move to a new host you start with 0 bandwith used etc.
I have used HawkHost before and found them very good and easy to use. They were cheap aswell, think it was under $10 for 5gb bandwith per month.

 

Make sure to keep old site up until everything is ready on new one.

 

Before switching to new host take backup of your existing database, signup with your new host, get login details and uplaod your database at the new host, once you are ready with your new host then you can cancel your account with your old host, most host transfer your site for free as my host do (webhosting.UK.com)
If you are looking for reliable host i will link you at www.webhosting.UK.com

 

Your new host can move it all for you. There's a few Thanksgiving discounts at the moment so now is a good time to switch http://www.hostingdiary.com/2007/11/anhosting-disco.html

Also check the hosting coupons here

Andrew

 

I would also keep the other site up until your nameservers have changed over to your new host.

 

Ask your new host to help you move things over with the least amount of downtime -- they should be able to show you how to decrease your TTL values in DNS, to make the switch to the new host quicker.