Consequences of downtime on web pages?

Switching host

[Shrike99]

Hi.

Thursday, I am planning to switch my web site to a new host and I have been told that I can expect the web pages to be down for 12 to 24 hours, because of DNS propagation.

Do you know if this downtime will affect my site ranking? For those who did that had that kind of downtime, did you get unexpected consequences?

Thanks.

[jchampliaud]

… did you get unexpected consequences?

Yes, but it had nothing to do with site ranking. I had a problem with sending e-mail using my domain name. Over all when I changed hosts all went well. My only suggestion is that you might do it on a slow day. Less to lose.

[Deester]

I've had 3 days of downtime previously and my rankings didn't budge at all. I think I was lucky.

I'm switching host again next week (US to UK server) and I'll leave both running, not taking any chances.

Is there no way you can have both hosts running your site until DNS has fully propigated. A lot of servers cache the DNS info and might not change upto to 2 weeks later. I've seen requests on my old site logs 2 weeks after I switched to the new server.

[incrediBILL]

I have been told that I can expect the web pages to be down for 12 to 24 hours, because of DNS propagation.

You can expect some places to update DNS in minutes, hours, others in days, weeks...

You should DUAL HOME (leave 2 copies up) the web site so there is ZERO down time during the transition for about a day, then install a redirect in the original site sending visitors with the old IP address to the new server.

If this is an ecommerce site or something collecting data I would simply redirect it immediately to the new location, do this all the time and don't lose any visitors or SERPs.

[OCSupertones]

I just left a copy at the old location for a few days and changed my DNS's.

Didn't see any downtime personally.

Brandon

[jamesa]

The second best thing to do is let the old and new hosting accounts overlap. What happens during the propagation period is that some visitors are still getting the old site and other getting the new site, so you want to keep them both alive. You'll have to check email at both hosts. Gets more complicated if you have an active database (like a forum).

Best option is to switch the DNS to the new host a few days *prior* to making the move. Have the new host configure the DNS continue to point to old host AND set the TTL to something short like 60 seconds. After the propagation period is over have the new host point the DNS records to the new account and 60 seconds later you're live. Again, some extra considerations for databases apply.