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Google problems when moving to VPS? (Virtual Private Server)

by FlashDriveDT
8 replies
I'm thinking about switching from my shared hostgator server to one of their new VPS plans. With level 3 you get everything transferred automatically but one thing got me a little worried. I will get a new DNS and I'm wondering how google behaves when this happens?

The hostgator rep told me "Honestly, google would have to find the site again". So is that a problem? I mean I know due to the nature of my site (wordpress blog) everything would be crawled pretty quickly again but I'm worried if I could lose any google ranking, at least temporarily? The rep said "you shouldn't".

What do you guys know about this? Anyone here who ever did a switch to a VPS, whether with hostgator or other? Apparently it can take up to 72 hours of propagation so how will my site perform during that time? Can it even get out of the index? Thanks a lot!
#google #moving #private #problems #server #virtual #vps
  • Profile picture of the author trevord92
    I've switched hosts for a number of sites, some from shared hosting to VPS.

    It's scary but it seems to work OK.

    The big thing to remember is that the 72 hours of propogation (which will vary from user to user) means that either a) you shouldn't change either version of your site or b) you should change both versions (old and new). Which can be awkward with a blog, so the third option is just update the new version and let people who go through to the older one be out of date for a day or two.

    As far as I know, Google work from the url of the site, not it's IP address or DNS.

    Hope this helps,

    Trevor
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    • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
      Originally Posted by trevord92 View Post

      As far as I know, Google work from the url of the site, not it's IP address or DNS.
      Yes, that's the key sentence. The "hostgator rep" is dumb... if s/he really said what you quoted.

      I have also moved sites many times from one host to another and G. didn't have to find me again.

      The "propagation time" (24-72 hrs) that is often quoted is needed so that all the routers around the (internet) world learn to route all the requests for your site (i.e. when somebody puts your URL in the address bar and hits Enter or clicks on a link) to the new server. It is very similar to the process when you move and send a notice to all your friends, business partners etc. to let them know about your new address. Or you tell the same to the post office: they don't have to 'discover' you or to 'find' you - they just send the mail to the new address
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  • Profile picture of the author Peter Adamson
    All that is happening is that your IP address is changing. Google does not care about your IP (unless it is associated exclusively with bad boys...). Site change hosting providers all the time. If G paid attention to that, there would be a lot of casualties.

    Google will undoubtedly notice that you have exclusive use of your IP. Not sure if they use this info, but if they did I cannot see how it would be negative.

    Come to think of it I'm moving servers shortly with same provider, but new IP. I will report back to tell you if it had any effect but I am five nines certain that the answer will be no.

    I think that hostgator rep was reading a script written by the sales staff to scare people into staying!!
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    • Profile picture of the author FlashDriveDT
      Originally Posted by Peter Adamson View Post

      I think that hostgator rep was reading a script written by the sales staff to scare people into staying!!
      Youre probably right about the script but as far as the scaring part goes youre wrong. Because I started the chat right away with the premise that I want to stay on hostgator, but just switch from shared to VPS plan. Why would they want their customers to be afraid of moving to a higher paying plan? They wouldnt. As a matter of fact the reps I talked to all assured me that my site will stay up, but they also said "Google will have to find you again". Anyway, I'm not worried about it anymore - thanks to all your feedback, guys!
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  • Profile picture of the author khtm
    The propagation time for a server move is often way less than 24-72 hours. I've done this many times and usually within 30 minutes - 4 hours the new server IP is resolving properly from all over the world (tested through multiple proxies).

    +1 for the "rep" being incorrect.
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    Hostgator rep didn't know squad Such a move should not be a deal AT ALL, the worst what could happen is that DNS doesnt propagate for a day or two and still points to the old URL in this time.

    And no, site wouldnt drop off the index...i think google is that smart and knows that temporary server outages can happen But it wouldn't even get that far, move your stuff, and then after a week or so you can also deactivate the old site since its likely that all DNS would have propagated by then.
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  • Profile picture of the author Eric Lorence
    Originally Posted by FlashDriveDT View Post


    The hostgator rep told me "Honestly, google would have to find the site again". So is that a problem? I mean I know due to the nature of my site (wordpress blog) everything would be crawled pretty quickly again but I'm worried if I could lose any google ranking, at least temporarily? The rep said "you shouldn't".
    The rep is clueless ...

    The domain is how anyone "finds" you.

    And remember that host support is looking out for it's own interests - they are not "SEO" experts.

    A proper upgrade will do nothing but help, for the main reason being your IP "neighborhood" will be you own - and you'll no longer be at the mercy of the hosts firewall settings - which "accidentally" filter traffic all the time.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    Dude, maybe don't go with hostgator?
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