How to Upload Files to A New Web Server When Transferring Site to Another Web Host
Alright, this is the second and last part of part of the post started previously regarding How to Avoid Downtime When Transferring Your Website to Another Web Host. This will not only cover the topic on how to do file transfers but also other matters concerning how to finish setting up your new website. Later, you will also learn how to determine if your new site or blog is already up and running. To start off, let us assume you have successfully carried out the four steps mentioned in the first article, let’s start with the 5th one:
5) Install WordPress in the directory of your choice. Normally, you would want this in the /public_html folder. If you are using Fantastico or SimpleScript, the automatic installation will take care of database creation, et al. Do not forget to create a database user that can access the newly created MySQL database with ALL PRIVILEGES bestowed on that user. Backup the wp-config.php file then change the db name, db user and db password as necessary. Base this on the newly-created db name, user and password you’ve just created for your new site. Edit the wp-config.php file to match these records.
6) Upload the edited wp-config.php file and all files mentioned in step number 4 to their proper locations. Before this step, you should have noted these directories ahead of time. Create a temporary notepad text document where you should paste the paths to these directories (just a precaution).
7) Check if the files in the old web host (server) and the new one are one and the same. You should not miss any of the files mentioned in the first article and in step number 5. After checking if the files that you need are all there, wait for 24 hours or less for the complete DNS propagation. Do not update settings or create new posts for your site because prior to the DNS propagation, people are still accessing your OLD database, not the copycat one (NEW DB).
8 ) After the propagation period (which you will know after you can gain access to the actual cPanel account and actual FTP accounts provided by your new web host), that’s the time you can delete all the files located in your OLD web hosting package. You can even cancel your account now. But I’d like to offer a tip just to make sure you are really accessing the NEW DB you have created in your NEW VPS web hosting package or another shared web hosting package – create a slight difference that will distinguish the old site and the new site.
For example, you can do this by not uploading a theme in your NEW web host, a wordpress theme that is not activated in your OLD website but is showing in your dashboard when you login to your WP admin panel. If you can still see this theme, then your access is still with the old server. If you can’t see this theme any longer in your admin panel, then success! The New DB is now accessible and you have avoided any downtime during web host transfer. Your readers will not even notice it except that during the 24-hour propagation period and they have posted comments, those comments will not appear in the new site kudos to the new DB you have created which will not reflect any changes you’ve made during the DNS propagation period.
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