Nearly everyone will want to change to a new web host at some point. It may involve just changing out old hardware for new. It usually means finding an entirely new web hosting company. When faced with that decision there are a number of issues to be considered.

Swapping hardware and/or software is a fairly straightforward decision. There are two possible scenarios. Either you maintain your own hardware and software at a facility managed by others, or you are considering upgrading to newer (usually more expensive) systems maintained by others.

In either case, it’s simply a matter of estimating the cost and the short-term impact versus the long-term benefits. If the system(s) you currently use are short on capacity, sooner or later you’ll be sufficiently motivated to make the change. Either the hardware will become unreliable or loaded to the point you’ll be forced to migrate, or your needs will expand enough to justify the effort and expense of moving.

Similar considerations apply to the scenario in which you rely on the web hosting company for everything, and want to find someone else to rely on. Regrettably, that’s a very common situation. Many web hosting companies provide systems and staff that sooner or later fall below an acceptable level.

Most people make the decision to change based on emotion. That’s not entirely bad. Emotions incent you to take action. But you need to keep a cool head, too, in order to calculate your long-range self-interest. Bearing some minor inconveniences from time to time is usually worth the trade off. When it begins to affect your site to the point you’re losing visitors, it’s time to make a change.

To get a more objective handle on when that point is reached, reach for some numbers. Maintain, or get from the hosting company, a factual report about availability and current usage. If the server is down so much, or so heavily loaded, that it drives your visitors away, it’s time to take action.

There are other less easily quantifiable but equally important factors, as well.

You will at some point need to communicate with one or more persons who help maintain your site. Even if you do all your own server, database and web site maintenance, someone behind the scenes is helping to keep things running smoothly. That’s called ‘infrastructure’. If the road you drive on has potholes, it’s not enough that you can fix your own car.

In terms of network bandwidth and availability, server capacity, disk space, security and a whole array of other aspects, the web hosting company has to have competent people who care (and are allowed) to do the job well. When the company’s people fall down -  because of incompetence, lack of resources or absence of a culture of excellence - or for any other reason - your web site suffers. This issue more than any other is what drives people to seek another web hosting company.

Even if you choose well at the outset, things can change. Management changes, staff changes and companies are taken over by other companies. Sometimes, it isn’t simply a matter of swapping out an unreliable piece of hardware or software. When it’s time to swap out people, you look for the same aspect: doing the job required.

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Learn how to switch to a new web hosting company without losing your domain name.

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.

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