How to Change Host Provider without Distressing Rankings

Selecting a web host company is always recommended after much contemplation on various factors. One of them includes, whether it can offer services when web traffic increases. If the host provider is not experienced, he would be unable to offer you services when you require increased bandwidth and server space. In this situation, changing your host provider is the obvious step. Have you thought about changing your host provider? Do you wish to employ top hosting services? Much vigilance and carefulness is required for altering host provider.

How to go about changing your host provider without upsetting rankings?

There remains slight risk when you switch website hosts. Your rankings should not get affected when you are changing your host provider. Here is a step by step guide of treading the path of changing host without any influence on ranks.

• Search for Host Provider in Sync with Your Requirements

You may find it little bit difficult to search for a host which has ability to completely meet your requirements. Your concern about new host having all the crucial features, needed to make your site visible is an important part in finalizing the new host. Concentrate on following points when choosing hosting company:

Know about the web technology and server’s OS. You need to have knowledge about the OS required by your site. In which language, is your site made? What is the database needed by your site? Technical specifications like these need to be fulfilled by the new hosting company.

Bandwidth and the server capacity are the matter of concern too.

Configuration

Efficient Technical Support by the host company

Cheap hosting would mean, your site being on the platform as the spammers. Search engines impose ban on IP due to spam and this has severe effects on your SEO campaign.

• Choose Server Location with Caution

Search engines consider the server’s physical location i.e. the country. Rankings might have an impact of the changed country with new best web hosts. Having the host company in the same country as present server is a good practice. It is because target audience would be the same. With changed package, hosting company provides you with option to select the hosting company.

• Test Your Website after Uploading it on the New Host

Incorporate the famous saying, ‘seeing is believing’ by testing your site with the new host. This would offer you a clear picture whether your new site is well-suited with the new server. Testing is important to be carried on to know if the site is working properly before finalizing the host change. Upload files and database on the server, test functionalities are some of the important steps in judging the efficiency of your new service provider.

• Modify DNS Records

Modify the DNS records and direct it to new site. The TTL (Time to Live) now needs to be 1 day from previous time of 5 minutes.

• Old and New Servers need to be Live for at least 2 Days

You need to keep your old and new servers live for at least 2 days as some browser store DNS records in excess time than decided in TTL. Keeping both the servers live for 1-2 days is needed until transfer process finishes. It ensures no loss of emails or traffic. Even search engines keep track of DNS records. But being on a safer side, keep both the servers with you for some time.

Gain knowledge of your new server by testing your site on it. Your hunt for top hosting service ends when you properly implement it in accordance with your site. Prior to changing the server, make sure the new one has complete potential to serve your site well, without upsetting its rankings.

Changing to a new server is advised when your current one is unable to serve you well and can’t bear the load (site traffic). Search for best web hosting services and upload your site on their server only after testing it.