Web site transfer

Transfering existing site that someone else created

[tomselleck]

Sorry in advance if this is posted somewhere else (not sure where it belongs).

My dad's website is currently being managed by someone that isn't doing much of anything. My dad wants to keep the site, but add a few simple pages and change the server company.

I'm wondering what information I need to get from the old manager so that I can change the server company and make changes on the site myself. I have a basic understanding of Flash and Dreamweaver, but have only done sites from scratch, and never needed to change a site that someone else created. I want to make sure I have all the info before my dad let's this guy go, because I am afraid he will trash the site.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[piatkow]

You need all the source code and images of course. If the site is straight html and not too big then you could simply trawl through it saving everything. If there are databases or server side scripting then you will need the previous manager to download them for you or give you FTP access.

The issue is the domain name. Who owns it? Who is managing it? You need to get that in house and keep it there even if you outsource the management of the site.

[phranque]

as far as changing the server company, that is a matter of specifying the new DNS that points to the ip address of the new server.
that all happens with the domain registrar, so you will need the username and password to access the account at your registrar.
change the password when you get it.

this is a good rundown of the procedure for changing servers.
Matt Cutts: Moving to a new web host:
[mattcutts.com...]

[thecoalman]

As mentioned above I'd first determine who controls the domain, that is the first and foremost thing. That must be secured in your own name.

The second thing is who is paying for the hosting? Are you directly being billed from the hosting company or are you paying for it through the manager?

Once you have those questions answered you'll have a course to proceed.