Internet Marketing Strategies, Resources, Tips & Advice

For years I've been bragging about my web host because it truly was a good hosting company.  They had all the storage I wanted, I hosted new sites for next to nothing and I never had any down time.

So where did my web host go wrong?

They gave me lousy support!  Now 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. So of course I turned to my web host for help.

Since my hosting company ONLY has email support I began to feel the frustration. I was having access problems and on the edge of my seat while I had to wait for my email to be transferred read and replied to.

After 48 hours with no response except their automated "we'll get back to you" email, which by the way, I hate; I had to think about what I could do on my own to get this thing resolved.

Still frustrated and not able to fix my problem, I emailed my host again, got another automated response and 24 hours after that they told me I was sharing databases  …ARGGGGH! by now I'm really losing patience.

In my frustration I ended up deleted the new blog I had tried to create and in doing so I completely lost my homenotion blog. My bad, but that's where frustration leads.

So I'm really angry now and decided this is no way to do business, I can't live with shabby support, it's just not worth it to  me, so I've decided to look into getting a new hosting company.

After listening to all my 'guru' friends, I've found only two hosts that I would consider, hostgator and bluehost.

So I made an actual phone call to each host as well as tested their online chat.  I rated them on their responsiveness and how helpful they were.

All things being equal, I found Hostgator to be just a tad better. That's my own personal thoughts but both hosting companies are excellent with regard to hosting features.

But my troubles weren't over.  I had to actually go through the switch.  This concerned me because of down time and the logistics of moving 10 sites.

To start with, I made backups of everything on my existing host.  I regularly do backups anyway so this was easy. My host also provides instructions on how to do this as well.

Then I got a hold of Hostgator and set up a new account with them.

Next I received a welcome letter from Hostgator thanking me for signing with them. They also told me to go ahead and 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 not longer read my emails or make site changes …wow, …but it gets worse, I noticed that my 'Homenotion' site no longer showed up in Google for my best keywords.  That site ranks on the first page of Google for keywords like:

• internet home business
• building an internet home business
• home internet business
• online business opportunity

and now it's gone!  Ok, now I'm feeling the stress, so I press on….

Anyway, I don't recommend switching 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.  This way you won't be out of touch with your email and may save on some down time as well.

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:

ns1.hostingcompany.com
ns2.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 about doing this switch but when it was all said and done, I survived it.  Hostgator gave me great support and did their best to get me up and running as soon as possible again.

Thanks guys, you saved me a lot of headaches!

Oh …and as for my Homenotion site's 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're on the fence about a web host or you're not getting the service you'd like at your current hosting company, my suggestion is try Hostgator - and here's a free coupon for your first month free.

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