Changing IPs

Moving a website - will it damage rankings on new IP

[GorgiasPR]

Hello forum,
I need to change web hosts for a site that receives lots of traffic each day. I will receive a new IP address when I make the change, so my question is will this affect my SE rankings? Is there anything I can do to prevent a drop? Any advice would be helpful.

Sorry if this is the wrong forum but I'm worried sick!

[tbear]

GorgiasPR, relax, you should have no problems at all.
I always set up the new host with all the content first, then point the name to it, leaving the old host (preferably) up and running for a week or two (just to allow for slow connections in the chain).
When the name change is complete there should be no problems with dual content, for example, because the SEs will be using the site name, i.e. www.yourdomain.whatever as their reference.
Good luck!

[GorgiasPR]

whew, thanks tbear.
So it is possible to have a site on dual IPs? How does that actually work? Do I set up the site on the new IP, and leave the old one active until the new site is ready - Is that what you mean? Should I consider redirects for a while?

[tbear]

When the name is fully pointed to the new IP your traffic to the old one (visitors and SEs) will cease.
I suggest leaving the old IP up and running for a few days or so (or weeks, it won't matter)because I believe it can take a few days for some parts of the www to recognise the change.
I don't think it is possible for the name to point at 2 IPs at one time.
I have done this several times with mine and clients sites with no problems at all (except perhaps email getting left in old IP address, oops).
Have never noticed even a slight drop in traffic or rankings.