How do I switch hosts to you?
This article assumes you're not just downloading a complete backup from another cPanel system and uploading it to your home directory, where we'll set it up for you for free.
Anticipating the change, give yourself plenty of time to learn about how to do this, and to make sure everything works. It's no fun to learn in a rush.
1. Moving your files.
The first step is to download your files to your laptop. If your old host has a file manager that lets you compress all the files before downloading, that can save a lot of time. Keep all the files on your old host, don't delete any of them just yet.
The final step in moving your files is putting them in the right place on our server. All public facing files go in the public_html folder. Any non-public files can go in your home folder, although don't keep any thing too private on the web server unless you really know what you're doing.
2. Export and Import any Databases
You only need to do this step if your site uses a database. You can use the mysql command line or the phpMyAdmin web program, which your old web host should have. Make sure to export all your tables. You can find our phpMyAdmin program icon in our control panel (cPanel).
3. Set up new email accounts
On your new control panel (cPanel) with us, click on the mail icon. Watch the short video tutorial there.
4. Change nameservers after checking settings.
You should have received name server information in your welcome email from us. Log in to where you bought your domain name and update the settings there. It may take 72 hours (more usually 2-6 hours) to update across the entire internet
Finally, after the first week or so goes well, inform your old host that you are ready to cancel.
Category: Knowledgebase
Created on: January 12th, 2009
