Has Anyone Had To Move To A Different Server? - Advice?

Hi Ken,

You can make the move pretty seamless, since your merely duplicating the existing site on the new server.

The key is to have everything set-up on the NEW server before you "flick the switch" and point the domain name to it. You can transfer the files over no problem, as well as duplicate any databases... but that can be slightly troublesome depending on how busy your databases are. (ie: if new data is being saved regularly, you might have to do it the transfer twice. Once for the bulk of it, then again after the switch to gather any loose ends)

If the site is configured properly on the new server, when you switch the domain over to the new host it should be a seamless transition.

-Ryan

What theIMgeek said is all great advice. Another thing to consider is ask the new host if they provide any migration help. For example, my owns server uses cpanel, and it includes a function to transfer accounts from one cpanel server to another. It makes life sooo much easier. Many companies will do the dirty work for you to get your business.

I recently moved and the process was relatively painless.

The first thing is to change the TTL (time to live) setting
to 14400 - this will minimize the amount of time it takes for
the move to propogate when you do change over. I did this
via the WHM (Web Host Management) interface.

Make a full back-up of your site via cpanel and also be sure
backup any necessary database files, e-mail accounts and
e-mail forwarders too.

Download all of the necessary files and folders onto your
computer so that you have a copy of the latest version
of your site.

Get the IP address of the hosting server you're moving to
and then upload all the files and folders there - before you
move over. Also, import any database files, etc.

Once you've got everything on the new server, then go to
your domain account and change the nameservers to point
to the new server.

I moved to LiquidWeb last month and they've been fantastic.
They have great support and have live chat and a prompt
ticket system to handle the inevitable niggles along the way.

Another thing about LiquidWeb is that they've even helped
me to get some third-party software working on their servers
- which is great. (Most other hosts would push you elsewhere
to the third-party software provider).

Good luck.

Dedicated to mutual success,

Shaun

It's relatively easy to move a wordpress site. Back up all the non-wordpress core files in the root and in WP-content directories; Back up your database (use a wordpress database manager for this)... once or twice I couldn't restore the DB anyother way; and
Export all your posts to an XML file (as recommended).

I've done it countless times now, it's relatively straightforward.

One tip: set up the site on another domain first and copy everything across. Once the new site is ready, and you've verified everything is working. Then simply change two entries in the DB, and the folder name. Make sure you stop posting on the original site before you begin the transfer otherwise the new site will be different and stuff may get 'lost'.

Kenneth

WP-Backup Plugin helps tremendously! You can Google it. It will back up the blog including photos, etc and allow you to seamlessly transfer it over. The regular WP backup usually will not save your photos or the links and you have to rebuild. I suggest getting WP-Backup and reading the Documentation thoroughly.

WP-Twin is an incredible plugin. I had a bunch of stuff hosted at WA as part of their free service for members, and got tired of the downtime. I moved 9 full blogs and it took about 3-4 minutes each.