6 replies to this topic

[PMeans]

I've read through the threads and I am a bit confused about changing hosts. I'm not changing my domain name. Sorry to raise this again. Do I have this right?

Steps as I understand them.

1. Upload files to new host

2. Immediately change DNS to point to new host

3. Immediately add 301 redirect to .htaccess file at old host

4. Wait for google to have indexed/cached the new site files at new host

5. Delete old files at old host

6. Call to discontinue old hosting service




Also, how do I write the 301 redirect code into the .htaccess file?

Thanks in advance!

Peter

[Grumpus]

Immediately add 301 redirect to .htaccess file at old host

Don't do that.

If you are moving hosts but all the page names and locations are the same, then don't ever send a redirect. Redirects are for if the named location changes.

1. Upload files to the new host. Put something on the page that clearly shows that this is the "new host" and this is the "old host". It may be a date on the page, or whatever. Just make it so that when you look at the cache you can see if the new host is being cached or the old host. Make sure all the links and page locations are going to be identical to your old site once the DNS switches over. NEVER change your layout and move your site to a new server at the same time.

2. When the new site is set, update the DNS servers. But leave your old host's dns so that it points to your old site - unless it's the same DNS server. If they are different, and it takes google a while to update their DNS database, they'll hit your old one and will still be crawling your old site, but at least they are crawling something. Keep the sites identical except for your page or pages that have your "I'm the new site" identifier on it.

3. Cross your fingers and hope that Google updates its DNS cache quickly. If you see that they are crawling the old site, keep updating both locations. Usually if you go this route, it takes google only a week or so to find the new place (sometimes a month, but not so much anymore). If you start messing with redirects and other things, it might take forever and you may vanish for a bit.

4. Once you start seeing Googlebot on your new site and the pages start showing up in the index, you can safely turn off your old site and forget about it.

G.

[PMeans]

Thanks G.

Let me start again. I didn't explain my situation well.

I only have inbound links from other sites to my homepage. I'm not concerned about anyone coming to a missing page, because they wont becasue there are no links to my inside pages. All of my site will be new on the new host. The only thing the same will be my domain name. I do have about 31 (not much) links to my home page only.

So given that. I think you are saying to:

1. Upload my entirely new pages to my new host.

2. Change one of my two DNS servers to point to my new host, and leave the other of the two pointing to my old host

3. Discontinue my old hosting when google has cached my newly hosted site, and change both DNS addresses to point to my new host.

Thanks! I'm a moron!
I was confused about the purpose of 301 redirects before.

Pete

[Grumpus]

Hold it - your inner pages DO have links: From your home page.

So, if you change the names of your INNER pages on the new site, but leave them on the old site, then not only does Google have to muscle through remapping your site, but they have to worry about DNS changes too.

I can't stress enough - when you change servers make sure the sites are identical in structure (and content, too, really). It's been known to happen that freshbot picks up one and deepbot picks up the other. If they are arguing with each other (i.e. things don't look the same) bad things can happen.

Once again - make an exact copy of your site on the new place (except for one marker that says "this is the new one" visibly for when you check the cache.)

Trust me, you don't want to make a switch any other way.

G.

[PMeans]

Okay, here's my new plan. I'm going to upload a duplicate of my old site to my new host as you say, and then after Google caches that I'll upload my new site there. This will keep the DNS change and the site change as seperate deals. Slighty better?

How's that plan sound?

Thanks very much for your help.

Pete

[Grumpus]

That'd be much safer. It's much harder to find something if the address and the location has changed. Changing them one at a time takes less time, really, because the SE's won't "lose" you in the process.

G.

[PMeans]

Thank G. Much appreciated.

P