How to change the web host ifr ....

[fortune68]

Hi all,

I did this expensive course on Website building with a certain company (very good) and had my first site built with them. They provide the hosting, and the graphics, and a WYSIWYG editor for me. Works all very well.

Problem: I have to pay $39.95/month for this site to be hosted there, and I earn not even a third of that from the site yet. So I want to switch to a cheaper host (I have got D9 in mind).

How can I do that? What are the steps I have to take?

And would I be losing the graphics in the transfer (as they belong to that company)?

Thanks!

[oneofmanytims]

Sounds like your problem is philosophical rather than technical.

Has this company been so accommodating that you cannot, in good conscience, quit doing business with them?

40 bucks-a-month is a lot to pay for hosting. But if you use acres of bandwidth (20+ gigs per month ?) and get fast servers and spot-on-the-job customer service that you use frequently, maybe you're getting a good deal. But I'm thinking not. I use o2g.net - fast, reliable, cheap (from $2.00/month); I haven't needed much support from them, so I don't know how responsive they are.

The 'very good' course you mention has seemingly trained you how to be dependent on your web host. Nobody uses a WYSIWYG editor supplied by their web host - not since the 70's.

Most webmasters use an ftp program like Filezilla or Fire FTP (a firefox add-on) so that a complete copy of your website resides on your home/office computer. That way, if anything goes hay-wire with your web host, you don't lose the entire site and have to start from scratch; and if you need to switch hosts you just upload the whole shebang with drag and a drop. A responsible hosting company would have told you of this - has yours ?

Actually, there are a few other steps, like changing the DNS servers for your domain name (easy) and perhaps uploading your mysql databases, if you use them. (you do have back-up copies of your databases, right ?)

As for the use of graphics you might read the TOS and see what rights you have to use them. Perhaps you can purchase equal or better; find public domain images; or create your own.

Hope some of this helps. If you shop around, then contact your current host and give them a chance to earn your business, that would be ethical, I believe. Just be sure you've backed-up all your files.

Maybe you should browse the forums of webproworld and see how other webmasters create and manage their sites.

btw . . . whats the url of the site in question ?

[GlowHost.com]

Do you have a control panel with your site? If so depending on what brand of control panel it is, some hosts can easily copy your site for you as part of your signing up with them.

Basically the process goes as follows:

Order hosting at the new host
Obtain your login details and site publishing info from the new host
Copy the files from the old host to the new host
Setup your email accounts on the new host if needed
Login to your domain control panel and update your DNS to point to the new host
Verify the new site works and you have everything you need from the old host
Terminate service on the old host

Hope it helps.

[frost]

Good info there tim.

Check the agreement that you signed with your host, I doubt that they actually own the images they have provided you, if they do that seems like bad form on their part as you have paid to have the site built.

Check if your hosting provides a backup service, this will make moving a lot easier.

[Owl]

Hi fortune68,
The other thing to check would be to make sure this present hosting company doesn't have a lock on your domain name so they can, in effect, hold it hostage.

[cbosleeds]

I've had a run in with a few web hosting companies when customers wanted to move on, but these are the exception to the rule.

What could they possibly teach you about web design with a WYSIWYG editor? Did you learn, html, CSS, or how to use any of the main web site editing tools such as DreamWeaver or FrontPage. In my experience, a lot of othrer WYSIWYG editors tend to produce html code that is spaghetti - this can be a nightmare for search engines to index - Apple's iWeb is bad for this and I came across one recently which just seems to be called 'WYSIWYG Editor' or something like that which is just as bad.

For the price you're paying I'm imagining an ASP website with a VSP (Virtual Private Server) and a beefy bandwidth? Maybe your WYSIWYG Editor is actually a content managment system?

Is your web host local btw, since Perth is expensive for everything - except SEO, that seems to be pretty cheap compared to the UK.

[Milo]

The change is more daunting than technical. I have changed hosts about 4 times and never experience any serious problems and have always been happy I made the move. Generally, the new host should be able to help out regarding what to do and if they don't, why go with them as this will be a testiment to their tech support and commitment. If they do own the images, I can't see how they would let you just have them. Does sound like they tied you in to their services to make it hard to move away and therefore creating a continuous income. I wouldn't regard this as slack, just good business sense on their behalf. If you are only earning about $15.00 a month from it, now is a good time to move to where you want to. Its not a lot of money involved and these jobs are better done before you do start making a lot of $$$ and a dodgy transfer could cost a lot in downtime.
Whats the domain, it will give a better insight on what to do.

[fortune68]

Thanks for all the good advice.
The problem I have is that I don't know how to get the complete html and css files as the WYSIWYG editor only shows the stuff below the header images, and doesn't show the footer or any of the menu either.
I have the domain name just pointing to their nameservers.
Once I get the complete html and css files, would it be as simple as saving them on my computer, and then just uploading them to my new host via ftp (after changing the nameservers)?
Sorry, but even though I have built my own website, I am really still a newbie because I haven't really done these things myself.
The website in question in Beach Theme Home Decor

[B0B]

The steps as outlined by GlowHost are what you have to do but...
It sounds like you are new to web design.

Your current host probably isn't going to give you a lot of help in moving the site. Who knows what it is. If it's straight HTML, no problem. If you have FTP access your problem is solved, just follow the steps from GloHost. If you don't have FTP access you can use WGet GNU Wget to get it. This excludes any copyright issues.

If it isn't straight HTML you may have problems. Many of these sites use a database to store the information. When a client makes a page request, the server skins the data onto a template and serves up the page. They won't give you the server side programming or the database. You can still use WGet but it may not be perfect. About a year ago one of my customers wanted to host somewhere else (company breakup) I didn't give the new guy my programming or database design. He used WGet and got almost all of it. A half hour of my time and they had a static HTML website.

If you are as new as you sound, I would hire a web designer to help with the site and educate you. There are a lot of issues like Search Engine Optimization besides just having a functioning site.

I hope this helps.

Enjoy Bob

[Milo]

In my opinion, get some professional help with a copy/rebuild of the site ie pay someone to make the new site, if you think this is out of your depth, although you could easily make a similar (and cleaner looking) site with a CMS. Make sure you keep a hard copy and have total ownership and control over the files. It looks like the images they gave you are simple animations and stock photo's and of course some of your own product photo's, all which can be obtained cheaply from a Google search (probably even free for the gifs). Please don't get offended by this, but the site could do with a makeover and with a host move, now is the time to do this.

[writergrrrl48]

Originally Posted by Milo

The change is more daunting than technical. I have changed hosts about 4 times .

- Why are you host-hopping? 4 changes is a lot. It can be disruptive to your site, since you admit you don't know how to make a smooth transition.


Good advice - find a reputable hosting company that charges a fair price plus gives you good service, then stick with them. Don't jump to a $2 host if you don't know how to manage your own site yet.

Knowledge has value - be willing to pay a little for it until you learn to do it yourself.



Followup advice: I second the suggestion to get a redesign. It isn't good navigationally and it looks amateurish. Sorry, you didn't ask for a critique, but Bob is right - now is a great time to revamp the whole process so you gain control and you have a good looking site that the search engines like. Invest in your site at the beginning so it gets a good start in life

[Milo]

Originally Posted by writergrrrl48

- Why are you host-hopping? 4 changes is a lot. It can be disruptive to your site, since you admit you don't know how to make a smooth transition.

Why should anyone stick with a crap host. 4 changes in 6 years is nothing, as long as its not detremental or disruptive which it has not been. The changes were made when the site had static html and was a simple file system and I did not recommend host-hopping or did I admit to not knowing how to make a smooth transition, please try and stay with the topic

A reputable host does not always mean good service, just a reputation. Expect a lot from your host and if they can't deliver, don't go with them as a bad start is only going to get worse. Knowledge is gained from experience and doesn't necessarily mean you have to pay for it, just spend some time and you'll learn what you have to.

Really, a host change is not that big a deal, just make sure they can grow with you and don't rely on them too much (just their servers).

[Web Res]

It is interesting how we grow with knowledge over time. I agree that changing hosts is fine because in 6 years styles, needs and the personal ability to manage websites change. You should be able to change hosts without too much disruption and often the disruption creates good outcomes because you may rethink old solutions that yield a better outcome.

It looks like you want to self-manage your website and therefore you need to have a CMS that takes some of the hard stuff of managing website navigation out of the way. You can set up hosting and use a variety of CMS' that are either free open source or paid. Many hosts, like your current one, also offer CMS integrated hosting packages. I use a host for my clients that integrates a built in CMS because it gives them the empowerment to self-manage their websites rather than being locked into working with me for minor changes.

Are you paying too much? I would guess all premium hosting packages that include an integrated CMS will cost more that basic hosting at the cheapest possible location. Perhaps (?) they also offer a little support as well which could more than pay for the extra monthly charge. Still, your monthly rate seems a little high.

If you switch, the content (words and images) should be pretty easy to transfer. The CMS will have templates that will allow you to click to view your content in many forms. You probably won't find the exact same style sheets or templates, but who cares? A little change to websites makes them seem active and interesting.

If you are using clip art from the host, then you may need to take charge and get your own images. Setting up a new website takes a couple of hours, but getting good images is really hard. Assuming this is your website - Beach Theme Home Decor, the images are pretty standard clip art. Youmight need to buy more clip art, or do a deal with people on sites like Flickr.

The shopping cart can be an issue, but it looks like all your e-commerce links go to Amazon or other offsite sources.

I use Burgundysky ::: Do It Yourself Websites for my customers. The hosting is about $15 a month with everything included. Here's an example of a website I have for a region in Australia Great Ocean Road Holidays Guide ::: Great Ocean Road Holiday Guide All works well for me.

By the way, I would look at your page titles and the Blog is not word wrapping for me. In fact, you might find WordPress is a good alternative.

[fortune68]

Guys,
great advice there. Now, I have to say the site has only been up and running since February this year, and I have never host hopped (what is this about "4 changes is a lot"?). I pay $39.95 a month, and the site does make me around $25 a month. So I think I could even try and do a change myself without losing out too much, don't you think? - Worst off I would be left with maybe paying $7.95 or something a month (less than now!!!) for another host, even if the website does not get up and running any more.
I don't even think it would be worth paying somebody, this site has cost me so much money so far, I think I really will try it myself.
Thanks for the advice on revamping. I am not sure what a "good" site should look like. Maybe 3 columns with the navigation menu down the left column, content in the middle and advertising on the right? Any advice?

[fortune68]

Ah - what is a CMS (many of you always talk in abbreviations, probably forgetting that newbies like me don't know these things yet)

[Milo]

CMS= content Managment system
Can I suggest maybe buying an e-commerce system. There are many free ones out there, but if you purchase one, you will have access to tech support, even if you have to pay for it. Even though you generally don't need a lot of support, its nice to know its there if you need it. The free systems come with great forums and all the "searchable" help you need, but nothing beats being able to speak to the people who made the system. I use a few different ones on different sites, but have really found the Cubecart is great. Its simple (relatively ). There are a lot about, so research what your needs are.

[fortune68]

Glohost,
I don't have a control panel with the site.

[z28com]

You could use Joomla, but that's also confusing if you have never used it.

I pay $25/mo. for a VPS that allows me to put unlimited domain names.

If you have a Mac, you could use a program like "RapidWeaver" which makes really nice web pages without having to know HTML or programming.

Check out these videos:
We are Realmac SoftwareWe make nice things for Apple Macs

I use Dreamweaver & Photoshop for all of my web building. You're best bet is to go to Barnes & Noble or some book store and buy the books on these programs and learn everything yourself. That's what I did. I have multiple web pages now that have been earning me thousands of dollars each month.

[jjrs79]

Hi fortune68,

By the look of your site and the extension of your pages, it looks like you're currently using a CMS to create this pages, that's how you get to use WYSIWYG editor instead of doing the HTML files directly.

I would suggest using a download software to just download the entire site to your computer as static HTML, then just get a $5/month hosting with godaddy and upload all the files there.

You might need to start using an HTML editor like dreamweaver or CoffeeCup to edit the pages since you won't have the WYSIWYG editor, but these gives you more control over the pages.

The only section that looks dynamic from your site is the BLOG page, but you can easily replace this with any blog software.

[oneofmanytims]

Hey, Fortune68 . . . that site is OVER THE TOP . .. . I mean BRILLIANT . . .. no kidding, pal, I am POSITIVE that there is nobody, NOBODY in the world who does what you do - and with such PASSION.

Your business deserves a good web presence, really. Somebody suggested hiring a professional web designer and I second that. You're only looking at a few hundred dollars. Just be careful. If you read between the lines of the posts above you'll see that most of us consider you (no offense intended) a 'good mark', to use a carnival phrase. It means that you can be seen 'coming down the midway' from miles off.

You sell your items off-site through Amazon, which makes good sense to me. No security issues to worry yourself about and the shopping cart is presentable and easy to use. And most people trust Amazon. I like the way your Amazon site uses the same color scheme as your home page so your customers don't experience an abrupt change of scenery when they go to look at a product.

I've favorited your url and will drop in often.

[Peter]

To be a little blunt, most web coders could redo your site in a few days. So you dont need to worry about getting the HTML and CSS.

What Web res has suggested is a very good idea, the CMS (content management software) software he has suggested and the sample page will give you the results you want. Use the new CMS to recreate the site anew then migrate your domain name.

However, you really need to go an look at a lot of websites, and see what is good out there, your website has "first time trying" written all over it and if you really want it to sell stuff, it fails to deliver that. You have a lot of products hidden within the body text, the shop side needs to be promoted to save money.

Its great that you have taken the first step though, and your ideas are good

You are right in thinking your paying too much for hosting, the only trick you need to sort out is getting the domain onto a new hosting company, provided you are not in a lock-in contract then you should be fine.

[fortune68]

Originally Posted by oneofmanytims

Hey, Fortune68 . . . that site is OVER THE TOP . .. . I mean BRILLIANT . . .. no kidding, pal, I am POSITIVE that there is nobody, NOBODY in the world who does what you do - and with such PASSION.

Your business deserves a good web presence, really. Somebody suggested hiring a professional web designer and I second that. You're only looking at a few hundred dollars. Just be careful. If you read between the lines of the posts above you'll see that most of us consider you (no offense intended) a 'good mark', to use a carnival phrase. It means that you can be seen 'coming down the midway' from miles off.

You sell your items off-site through Amazon, which makes good sense to me. No security issues to worry yourself about and the shopping cart is presentable and easy to use. And most people trust Amazon. I like the way your Amazon site uses the same color scheme as your home page so your customers don't experience an abrupt change of scenery when they go to look at a product.

I've favorited your url and will drop in often.

Hi oneofmanytims,

Thanks so much!!!! You've made my day!

[fortune68]

Originally Posted by Peter

You have a lot of products hidden within the body text, the shop side needs to be promoted to save money.

Peter, I don't understand what you mean with that statement.

Originally Posted by jjrs79

I would suggest using a download software to just download the entire site to your computer as static HTML, then just get a $5/month hosting with godaddy and upload all the files there.

jjrs79, do you have a suggestion for download software?

[spiderbait]

Hi Fortune68,

Good luck with this. I'm in the process of moving a client who's in a very similar situation. Although I expect they paid a lot more than you for the "privilege" of training and hosting their site. They're currently with a little outfit that many here will recognize, called Stores Online.

No matter, another week or so and they'll be free and clear of that nightmare.

Your situation, however, seems less dire and is really only one of ongoing costs. You mentioned that you paid a lot for your training and from a little digging I'm guessing that you trained with Omni Business Solutions (omnibizsolutions dot com) Is that right? I'd be curious to know how much you paid.

They've got a posted curriculum of:

• Affiliate Marketing
• Ebay and Auction
• Advertising and Sales Copywriting
• Email and eZine Marketing and List Building Strategies
• Online Business Setup and Protection
• And More!

In my personal opinion, that kind of training for newbies is kind of like selling a course on how to run a car repair business to people who don't know the first thing about cars.

Sure, they can run the business, but they don't know how to do the actual tasks that the business itself runs on -- so they're forever at the mercy of others.

And then after the training they steered you into a hosting agreement using their own hosting solution so you'd be a continuing source of revenue for them.

Sorry if I'm sounding cynical, I've just seen these sorts of things too many times.

Anyway, your situation's not dire. So, aside from your monthly cost you don't need to rush into anything. Instead, you should leave things as they are and spend the next few months educating yourself about HTML, getting a cheap hosting account somewhere and another domain name and experiment at creating another site just for the practice.

Build some skills to help you become more independent. After a few months, you might feel confident enough to make the switch and you'd probably be able to do it all by yourself.

Good luck with things.

[fortune68]

Hi Spiderbait,

you have hit the nail on the head - it is OmniBusinessSolutions, and I paid $3750 to have the training done. (How could I EVER agree to that???). Anyway, the training was good, they are a reputable company, and I can still get help if I need to.
Just the price tag was (and is) a little deer.
I actually have a bit of HTML knowledge now, and I am fairly confident I would be able to do my own thing, I am just not too sure about the transfer because I don't have access to the complete site files. I have had quite a few good suggestions in this thread and will also contact OBS eventually.
Thanks for your insights and encouragement, I will get there!

Cheers,
Petra

[spiderbait]

Originally Posted by fortune68

I am just not too sure about the transfer because I don't have access to the complete site files.

Hi Petra,

You might try the following link to download a freeware program that will access your site, spider the files and collect them along with images to a folder on your hard drive. If you read carefully through the instructions it will even let you change settings so that all the links will be "relative" and your downloaded site will function in a standalone fashion.

You could then use the downloaded copy of the site to create a clean HTML version that you could upload to a new host.

Check out the software here: HTTrack Website Copier - Offline Browser

Cheers,
Jade

[confettiguru]

I think your site has a nice clean look and a lot of content. $39.95 doens't seem like a lot to me. If you're only making $25 a month something is wrong. I pay $99.00 a month with Network Solutions ECommerce and I love it. You can choose to use HTML or their WYSWYG. The Cart is simple.
We do take in around $20,000 a month so I guess $99 not seeming like a lot its relative.

I do own all of my own images and content. I've been with them for about 3 years. Before that I was with a smaller company with lower prices but even lower support.

You do get what you pay for in this world.

[fortune68]

Originally Posted by confettiguru

I think your site has a nice clean look and a lot of content. $39.95 doens't seem like a lot to me. If you're only making $25 a month something is wrong. I pay $99.00 a month with Network Solutions ECommerce and I love it. You can choose to use HTML or their WYSWYG. The Cart is simple.
We do take in around $20,000 a month so I guess $99 not seeming like a lot its relative.

I do own all of my own images and content. I've been with them for about 3 years. Before that I was with a smaller company with lower prices but even lower support.

You do get what you pay for in this world.

Hi, I think lots of people seem to think that I sell my own stuff, but my site sells purely through Affiliate links, and with Amazon which is the store behind the site I only get 4% of a sale, so that really doesn't add up to much. I won't need a shopping cart.

[confettiguru]

Makes sense then. I tried the affilitate route but never felt like I made enough money for the work involved.
Good luck to you

[getmea]

Fortune68...

Not sure if anyone is looking at this post anymore...Were you successful in moving to a new web host?

I noticed it is WordPress-driven. WordPress themes can be changed manually...by an experienced coder (or a neighborhood techie-teenager)...or even you, since you've mentioned you have some html knowledge.

Let us know if you need additional assistance.

[fortune68]

Hi getmea,

Yes, i have moved host successfully, I have my site sitting on WordPress now and am fairly happy with the result. It does not cost me any more now because I have just added it as an additional domain to an already existing domain. So I am effectively saving $39.95 a month.
Thanks for all the offers of help, though!
PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait...wait... C: wait... SD: wait...
[IMG]chrome://seoquake/content/skin/close.gif[/IMG]

[getmea]

Fortune68:

The wordpress theme looks great! Good luck with it!

Getmea