Related Podcast Link: Listen to Episode 124!

So your stuck with a web host your not happy with and your considering the big move. You want to take your web site elsewhere and you want to do it quick. Should you pack your bags and make the move in minutes? No. It is always best not to rush into a situation as big as moving your web site from web host to web host.

Find a new web host before you move. Some people just get so unhappy with their current hosting provider they want to move right here right now. That is not he best way to go. Give your current web host a few more chances to impress you before you jump into another relationship. Think of it as that old ex-girlfriend that promised she would never cheat on you again. If they do better, you might eliminate you need to move all together.

Find several web hosts that are worth your time and money, contact them and see what they say about moving from your current web host to them. The good ones will give you a step by step process in which you can do it with the least amount of pain and suffering.

Get ready for the move. Make sure you have all of your backups in order and plenty of time to get things changed over. Now there are more steps to moving and getting ready to move than I will have time to hit on here, but I’ll try to touch on the basics.

Backup databases and user generated files that you have uploaded over the time span you have been with the old web host. Also get ready to recreate e-mail addresses and other features that you had setup with your old web host. Last but not least remember not to cancel your old hosting till you know your happy with your new hosting. This way just in case you forgot to move over file123.jpg you can grab it after the actual move.

Last but not least, clean up any unfinished business with the old web host. Cancel your billing and wave to them as you exit the building. Your now free of your old hosting mess and hopefully in a better spot than you started out.