changing where my site is based--dangers?

[ownerrim]

hopefully this is the right forum for this:

I am changing where my site is based because I have an ongoing nightmare situation. From what I've read, the best approach for someone who owns their domain name and is simply relocating to a new server with a new company is to do the following:

1. obtain new host
2. upload files to new host
3. change DNS info at registrar to point url to
new IP number/ new server
4. keep all files on old server for a week or two
to make sure no traffic is lost while the changes
are made.

Is this the complete picture? Am I missing anything? Also, are there any duplicate content dangers with regard to google, or any issues regarding Search engine placement in google?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

[Corey Bryant]

You have pretty much hit the nail on the head. I usually tell my customers after 72 hours, they can cancel with the old hosting company.

Some email might be lost but it seems like this is a small price to pay considering all your problems.

-Corey

[ownerrim]

Thanks Corey. It doesn't sound as though you think I'll run into any "deathtraps" by doing it this way?

I'm moving to a host recommended by EFV. My old host...let's put it this way: if you search for their name + the word "sucks", you get lots of search results.

I picked them because I believed their hype. But it is true. You get what you pay for.

[txbakers]

As long as you keep your domain name parked somewhere other than the new host, you are never beholden to them.

you may lose a day or three to propgation, but you'll never be at their mercy. I register all my domains through either goDaddy or Verio, and keep them parked there, where I can have total DNS Control over them.

I like that feeling.

[ownerrim]

I use godaddy as well. Already made a switch (not the site I was referring to, but another domain of mine--sort of a "test run"). Seems to have gone smooth on this one, so I'll switch the other in a day or so. Thanks for the input.