Changing Web Hosts? Take Your Domain Name with You

When choosing a web hosting company it’s wise to select a provider that can meet your online business’ needs, now and in the future. However, this does not guarantee that problems with your hosting service won’t arise at some point – or that you won’t simply find a better "deal" elsewhere.

If you are serious about switching to a new web hosting provider, one of your main concerns may be the fate of your domain name – especially if your domain was included in your web hosting package. After all, if you lose your domain name, you also lose your online identity and search engine ranking.

Keep in mind that although your web hosting and domain name are both important components of your online business, they typically exist separately. As long as you own your domain name, you should be able to move to a different web hosting company and take your domain name with you by following five simple steps:

Check domain registration
If you are unsure about your domain name’s registration, a simple search of the WHOIS database will reveal the administrative contact for your web address – if your name appears, you can rest assured that you will be able to move your domain name along with your web hosting account.

Research web hosting
Changing web hosts is not difficult, but you won’t want to waste time doing so repeatedly. The Internet is a tremendous resource for web hosting reviews and you should use it to your advantage. Look for a provider who will offer you 99.99% uptime and a 24/7 customer service via email, phone or live chat. Once you’ve found a company who is clearly committed to going the extra mile for its customers, choose a package that can meet your space and bandwidth needs.

Record domain details
When you register a domain name, you create a username and password for logging into your account. Going forward with a new web hosting company, you will continue to use this information to manage your domain account.

Redirect your domain name server
Your new web hosting company will send you a primary and a secondary name server. Once you have this information, you can log in to your domain account and change your DNS details. When your changes are complete, you can expect a 2-3 day delay before your modifications take effect. Keep an eye on your inbox during this time – as a security measure, your domain registrar may email you a request to confirm the changes.

Upload your content
With your domain name now pointing to your new web host, you are ready to transfer the files that make up your website.

While it may seem like a hassle, moving your website to a new web hosting company can benefit your online business. When you’re ready to make the move, keep these five simple steps in mind.