Unfortunately it’s time for a new web host 
So where did my original web host go wrong?
There’s really only one reason, They gave me lousy support!
If you’re focused on cheap web hosting and getting a great bargain you may not consider support a very important option, but it’s HUGE when you really need it. The really great news is that I switched to a host that actually cost less and also has great support.
Over the past several years I never really needed much in the way of support. Once in awhile I had a few questions but nothing that an email couldn’t resolve …until last week.
Here’s what happened….
I had created a new blog for one of my sites and somehow I overlapped databases and I had two blogs using the same database. I needed to fix it but I didn’t know how. That’s when I turned to my web host for help.
Since my hosting company ONLY has email support I couldn’t get immediate help. After 48 hours with no response except through their automated “we’ll get back to you” email, I had to think about what I could do on my own to get my problem resolved.
Still frustrated and not able to fix my problem, I emailed my host again, got another automated response and 24 hours after that, now at 72 hours into the problem, they told me I was sharing databases …ARGH! by now I’m really losing patience.
I can’t live with shabby support, so I’ve decided to look into switching web hosts.
Hostgator was my first choice, so I made an actual phone call to them as well as tested their online chat. I found Hostgator to be extremely responsive and helpful. They actually gave me my first month of hosting free so I signed up.
But unfortunately my troubles weren’t over. I had to actually go through switching hosts. This concerned me because of down time and the logistics of moving 10 sites.
I made backups of everything on my existing host. I regularly do backups anyway so this was easy. Then I got a hold of Hostgator and set up a new account with them.
In my Hostgator welcome email they included instructions on how to get set up. They instructed me on how to switch my DNS names from my old host to them. I followed their instructions but realized that once I switched the DNS names I lost the ability to log into my old hosting account. This meant that I could no longer read my emails or make site changes …but it gets worse, I noticed that my ‘Homenotion’ site no longer showed up in Google for my best keywords. I was a little panicky because the site ranked on the first page of Google for keywords like:
- internet home business
- building an internet home business
- home internet business
- online business opportunity
At this point I’m a little stressed but it was soon resolved, this is why…
Don’t switch your DNS names until ‘after’ your website is loaded onto your new hosting account. Many hosting companies can have your site completely loaded on to the new host’s server before the actual ‘switch’ takes place. That’s why I was out of touch with my email and experienced some down time.
Switching your DNS Names
Your DNS names must be switched through your registrar, which in my case was Godaddy. There will be a section called ‘name servers’ and you will need to change the DNS names from your old host to your new host. Your DNS names look somthing like this:
ns45.hostingcompany.com
ns46.hostingcompany.com
I didn’t actually do the moving of my files to my new host. I took advantage of Hostgator’s service to do it for me. They do the first domain name for free any other domain names they charge $10.
Since I have ten websites it cost me a few dollars but it was worth it to me to avoid problems or worse yet, missing data.
It was about another 32 hours before my files were all copied over and I was up and running on my new host.
I checked everything out to make sure all my data, emails and whatever else I was concerned about was there. Once I was sure things were OK I contacted my old host and cancelled my account.
There was a lot of tension and anxiety doing the switch but Hostgator gave me great support and did their best to get me up and running as soon as possible.
As for my Homenotion site ranking, it came back once my site was back within 24 hours once my site was back ‘on the air’, whew! A little reassurance in case this ever happens to you. 
If you’ll be switching hosting services or perhaps you’re not getting the service you’d like at your current hosting company, my suggestion is definitely Hostgator. Click here and get your first month of hosting for free.
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