Web Site Migration

[F1 Fan]

Hi,

My brother has a business with an online website i.e online buying etc. The company that developed the site for him is crap to say the least. They are unbelievably slow and make really stupid mistakes.

My question is, how to I go about moving the site away from them (as is)? Can it be done?

I understand nothing about development, so keep that in mind.

 

[SilverNodashi]

Before you begin, you'll need the following:


1. What scripting language did they use? i.e. php, ASP, HTML, XML, etc.
2. What is the domain extension, i.e. .co.za / .com / etc? The domain transfer processes are different for the different extensions.
3. Is there a database involved, if so which? i.e. MySQL, MSSQL, PostgreSQL?
4. Does he have any email accounts?


You will need to be able to move all of the above, to another server which can support the technologies involved.
Moving a website is fairly easy, depending on what tools the current host offers and what tools the new host has. most companies these days use cPanel, Plesk or in Hetzner's case a custom build control panel, with a File Manager where you can download the website files. Generally it would be in the "public_html", "www" or "wwwdata" folder.
Moving the database(s) on the other hand is quite often a bit trickier. You should either be able to download a database backup, if the current host has such a tool, or export it using something like phpMyAdmin (MySQL), myLittleAdmin (MSSQL) or any other database management tool you prefer. Once exported, you'll need to import (or restore) the database on the new server, update the database mappings in your website scripts, and probably re-create the email accounts.
Then you need to transfer the domain or ask the host to transfer the domain across for you.

 

[F1 Fan]

Thanks! I would like to compile a list of questions to ask them. Like the ones you listed above. Are there any others that I should be asking?

I only answer I know is number 2, which is co.za.

 

[_kabal_]

ASP, HTML and XML are scripting languages now

 

[F1 Fan]

Bump,

Guys please, I need more help on this?

 

[rward]

My question is, how to I go about moving the site away from them (as is)?

You need to move the website and the DNS.
Signup for a new hosting provider (afrihost, webafrica).
Email their support address saying you want to migrate your domain and site.
Read their support documentation.

Can it be done?

Yes

 

[reinhardholl]

If you have never played around with anything lilke this before I'd sugest doing that first. Get some cheap/free hosting and setup a basic site. Then after playing around get back to this thread and maybe some of the replies will make sense

 

[AWD]

Hi,

My brother has a business with an online website i.e online buying etc. The company that developed the site for him is crap to say the least. They are unbelievably slow and make really stupid mistakes.

My question is, how to I go about moving the site away from them (as is)? Can it be done?

I understand nothing about development, so keep that in mind.

if you did not come right drop me a pm

 

[smg22]

If they have cpanel you can login to cpanel, make a backup of the site and the database (if there's one) download the backup. Phone the company that you are currently hosting the domain with and request an EPP key (good luck), if they don't give you that key you cannot transfer the domain. if you are successful then you would login to your new provider's cpanel and restore the backup you made earlier and Veolia you have a running site....

should you need some help you can drop me a pm as well.