Will changing my website host effect my search ranking?

They have: 21 posts

Joined: Apr 2003

Hi all, just wondering if changing my web host will upset my Google ranking, I'm pretty happy with were I,m at now, It took a while to get there and I wouldn't want to rock the boat, but I'm paying way too much when I look at some of the other deals available.

Thanks.Smiling

Busy's picture

He has: 6,151 posts

Joined: May 2001

If the sites pages etc stay the same you shouldn't even notice you have moved hosts.

Get new host
Upload site to new host (add an extra page or add a comment in your source code on one page)
check new site is complete and works (esp. if server side included)
change DNS
wait 0-72 hours
check the extra page or page you commented on (to make sure you're seeing the new one or not)
once DNS moved, cancel old host
enjoy life ...

This way there is no down time at all, ok maybe a couple of seconds on DN change over but I doubt you'd notice it if you even knew about it. They say can take up to 72 hours, I've had it change within half hour (and was caught out)

They have: 21 posts

Joined: Apr 2003

Thanks for that. Smiling

They have: 112 posts

Joined: Sep 2006

Busy;209756 wrote: Get new host
Upload site to new host (add an extra page or add a comment in your source code on one page)

Can I ask what extra page you mean here?

Busy's picture

He has: 6,151 posts

Joined: May 2001

Just something your old site doesn't have, can be a blank page, a comment in an existing page .... just something so you know you are looking at the new site.

Another way is to ping the domain name but not everyone knows how to do this.

They have: 87 posts

Joined: Aug 2006

Busy;209911 wrote: Just something your old site doesn't have, can be a blank page, a comment in an existing page .... just something so you know you are looking at the new site.

Another way is to ping the domain name but not everyone knows how to do this.

How could the extra page change SERP ? Could you be more elaborative on "ping the domain name" ? It could be helpful to the newbies.

Busy's picture

He has: 6,151 posts

Joined: May 2001

The extra page or added comment has nothing to do with the search engines, it's so you know your site is showing from your new host. The page or comment can be removed after the change has been confirmed.

I remember years ago when I first changed hosts, I waited days and nothing happened, well it did, I just didnt realise because the site was exactly the same. It's only the host and path to the host that changes.

You don't have to add an extra page or comment, is just a helpful hint so you know the switch has been done.

Finntroll's picture

They have: 135 posts

Joined: Sep 2006

Busy, thanx, you've made things clearer for me.

Finntroll's picture

They have: 135 posts

Joined: Sep 2006

Could you also explain the ping technology?

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