Change Web Hosts Easily and Simply

This is for you, the novice web publisher. You have a hosting account and a site up, maybe more than one site. You are unhappy with the services offered and the customer care is lacking. You'd love to change web hosts. You have read the horror stories about amateurs changing web hosts. This frightens you. You stay with your hosting plan even though you want to change web hosts. This is a simple step by step guide so you can change web hosts simply and easily.

1. Create a back up of all your files on your web hosting server, don't forget the databases, emails, etc! Store this on your own computer's hard drive.

2. Sign up for web hosting with a new hosting service, changing web hosts is easy and simple.

3. Upload all site files to the new web host server. It is highly recomended to set up email accounts now on the new server.

4. How did you get your Domain name? Go to that service to point the name servers to your new host's service. Your new host can provide you with the address for the name servers.

5. Test your site on your new web host's servers and begin setting up all the extra features you would like.

6. Delete your files at the old hosting account and cancel that account. If you were unhappy with their service you should consider writing them an email telling them why you wanted to change web hosts. Be sure to go on the remote site as well so you can delete your files from their server.

Changing web hosts does not have to be such a daunting task. Plan, do, reflect, verify, and change that web host. There are so many vareities of plans and prices don't just settle for the one you have because it is the one you have. Consider prices, features, and customer care!

Full Disclaimer: Yes there are a few minute other details to consider but they generally apply to people with large numbers of sites, highly dynamic sites, and multiple databases. For those people, I'm assuming, they know how to do this already. This guide was intended for people who have some experience with web hosting but not enough to feel confident about changing web hosts. Changing web hosts can be quick, easy, and painless.