Transfering websites from one webhost to other

[Zubair Zm]

Hi,
I need to change my webhost. Can you please guide me how to transfer all my websites from one host to another? My both webhost have Cpanel.
Thanks and regards
Zm

[zapseo]

I recommend you look at the help documentation for cpanel.

Rather than give broad, general advice, however, I would recommend asking your new hosting company what the best way would be to transfer your websites.

Live JoyFully!

Judy Kettenhofen, Copywriter, Writer, Marketer's Geek

[bytezmoi]

Do you also have access to WHM? If so you should be able to transfer using that. An
alternative is to simply upload the pages to the new server, backup any databases and upload them too (first duplicate the database names and users), make sure that if you reference specific IPs instead of URLs that they are updated accordingly.

With CPanel you can zip the contents and download, then upload to the new server and decompress.

Usually, a decent host will transfer up to 30 sites for you for free. Just ask them!

Once everything is transferred and operational, change the DNS information at your domain registrar.

Since you have CPanel, you should be able to test your moved sites before they go live by checking your IP address followed by /~username

[zapseo]

You DON'T need to download everything and then re-upload. (What a waste of time and effort!)

Especially if you have ssh access.

Again, it depends upon what the capabilities of the different hosting companies are.

[Noah Fleming]

Originally Posted by zapseo

You DON'T need to download everything and then re-upload. (What a waste of time and effort!)

Especially if you have ssh access.

Again, it depends upon what the capabilities of the different hosting companies are.

Judy is correct. In fact, if the sites have any databases, crons etc, this is a surefire way to ensure your transfer doesnt go well at all!

Try and get your new host to support you in the transfer. A good host will usually take care of this for you and do it without error.

[Always-A-Warrior]

Using a 'free FTP software' makes it easy to make transfers.

[theimdude]

This will help-

I presume you have cpanel shared account

1) Log into cpanel and select "Backup Wizzard"
2) Select Backup option then "Full Backup"
3) Then you have a few options but select "Remote FTP Server"
4) Enter a email that will let you know if the backup was done successful
5) Enter the ip address in the "Remote Server" block
6) Enter the user name in the "Remote Use" block
7) Enter the password in the"Remote Password" block

5,6,7 You can get from your new hosting company or it should be in your welcome email.

Then generate you backup.

8) Contact you new host and tell them the full backup is on the new account and ask them to restore it. (you cant do this)
9) Change you DNS to the new host
10)Wait a minimum of 24 hours and ping your domain on the new account. If the results returned is the new IP of your new host you OK and the DNS is changed.
11) Test your website on the new server to insure it is working.
12) Only then cancel your hosting with old host or delete the content of the old host

I take it you on a shared account as if you were on a dedicated server with full WHM access or a reseller account you wont be asking this. Never take for granted when you do a backup that all will be well on the new host. First test all on the new host before you delete your old data as once deleted it is gone. There is no recycle bin on a server.

If you trust your new host give them your cpanel login codes and they will do it for you. If they want to charge you go somewhere else.

If all fail I would be glad to assist you at no cost to you

[Alpha981]

ask your new host they might do the transfer for free.

I think hostgator does this for a max of 30 sites

[bytezmoi]

>> You DON'T need to download everything and then re-upload. (What a waste of time and effort!)

True not for you or I, BUT:
The OP does not sound like he has current files, including upload folders, email folders and any files changed via CMS, except at his current host. Probably no FTP experience either, and probably also does not do backups. Zipping up and downloading (i.e. doing a manual backup) is never a waste of time or effort, particularly for this OP who lacks experience of transferring sites. If he had to ask how, it is better for him to be safe than sorry, and it would be good a learning experience for him.

[KONet]

This is directly from the HostGator.com home page (assuming you're thinking about going with them):

"Coming from another host?

We know how difficult it can be moving to another web host. That is why we will handle the entire process for you.

• - Free Domain Transfer
• - Free File Transfers
• - Free Database Transfers
• - Free Script Transfers"

- Kevin