Looking for advice re: web page hosting and email hosting

Topic

New Reply

I have a long-time client who I advise for all his computer office needs –Windows, hardware, office software, etc. But when it comes to web/email hosting, I have only basic knowledge, and not enough of that.

So here’s the situation: this client runs a small business, and has used a local web hosting service to host a business web page, and a different service to host host his email. He has his own domain, so his email address’s domain is his business name.
Well, these hosting services are fizzling out — he’s tried repeated to contact them with no luck. Lately, he tells me his business email is no longer working, and attempts to have it rectified seem to fall on deaf ears.

So, my question is this: how do I help him move to new, reliable hosting services? Who does he sign up with? And how does the new hosting service “take over” his web page (I assume that’s a matter of copying the HTML code and pasting it into a new hosting service, then re-registering the domain)? If he’s using IMAP email, how is that content moved to a new server? It’s not likely we’re going to get much in the way of cooperation from his existing services if they won’t respond to his pleas for help.

You can probably tell this is not my area of expertise, so I’d appreciate some education on the subject. Thanks!

TIA

Reply | Quote

Replies

To take over web and mail you need to change the DNS records to point to the new service(s).
This is done by the DNS holder, often the name registrar, but it may be the hosting company.

To find out who is the DNS holder, enter the domain on this site: https://dnslytics.com/domain-search/
Now locate the owner of the name servers shown in the result.

As for hosts, it kind of depends on whether you want the web and mail on the same host. You could use Google to host the web and MS the mail, or have them both on the same host. (AskWoody uses separate web host and email.)
You can find out the current hosts at this site: https://search.dnslytics.com/domain/

cheers, Paul

Reply | Quote

abrayshaw wrote:

So, my question is this: how do I help him move to new, reliable hosting services?

Migrating websites from one host to another can be super easy or…less than easy
The complexity of the task will really depend on the specific website in question.

In general, to move a website, one must:

1. Setup an account with a new hosting provider
2. Move the existing website resources to the new hosting provider
   1. Note: For all but the simplist sites, this will entail more than simply copying files from the old host to the new host (think databases, script permissions, subdomains, daemons/services, firewall rules, …)
3. [When the site is setup on the new host:] Update the nameserver entries for your desired internet domain(s)
   (eg. yourdomain.com, yourdomain.net, …) so that they reference the nameservers at your new host
   1. 1. (This was mentioned by Paul, above)

• Wait for the changes to sync…

abrayshaw wrote:

Who does he sign up with?

Good question! You get to choose.
Web Hosting is traditionally sold as:

1. Shared hosting
   1. Cheapest, because your website is stored on a server that is shared by [potentially] many other websites. This is usually just fine for relatively simple sites. Usually the provider offers a web based control panel to manage your site resources (in-house email, databases, script engines…) Since you don’t have full access to the environment, shared hosting is “Managed” — someone else is in charge of maintenance tasks like patching, security, …
2. VPS [Virtual Private Server]
   1. This is a virtual machine that you control remotely. Since it’s your virtual machine, you can install whatever OS you want, whatever server software, etc. This is also fairly cheap, but offers more control. You pay more based on how much processor, RAM, bandwidth you want reserved for your use. This also comes with static IP addresses exclusive for your use. VPS is often sold as either “Managed” (someone else handles the system maintenance, patching, etc.) or “Unmanaged” — you have full control.  VPS is good for sites that have heavier processor or memory requirements (think big databases, forums, high speed file transfers, etc.)
3. Dedicated Server
   1. This is a physical server in the datacenter that you’re renting. Like a VPS, you can remotely install whatever you want on your Dedicated Server (even virtualization software, if you want to become your own VPS provider :D) Basically you’re buying full use of the machine’s RAM, CPUs, NICs. There are applications that need this, but likely not your small business site. I only include it here for completeness.
4. Colocation
   1. Same idea as Dedicated Server, but instead of renting the server hardware, you provide your own equipment and it runs from the datacenter. (You’re basically renting datacenter space, paying for power, bandwidth, etc.) Some datacenters will grant you access to manage your own gear, others have restrictions.
5. Cloud
   1. This is the newest offering, but it’s been around for a while now. Services like Amazon, Azure, … the pay based on usage model.

To find providers, WebHostingTalk.com is a great site. Be sure and read reviews/do research. The Webhosting market can be very volatile with people hoping to “get rich quick” so it’s good to put some weight on a business’ history, even if their price is slightly higher

If you decide to go with VPS/Dedicated, get a “Managed” service unless you know how to setup the security properly and plan to maintain it.

abrayshaw wrote:

And how does the new hosting service “take over” his web page (I assume that’s a matter of copying the HTML code and pasting it into a new hosting service, then re-registering the domain)?

As mentioned earlier, after you secure your new hosting provider, they will provide you with some nameserver addresses; After your website is in place with the new provider, you update your domain’s nameserver records to reference those addresses. (You’ll need to find out who your domain registrar is [for the domain in question] to make these changes.)

abrayshaw wrote:

If he’s using IMAP email, how is that content moved to a new server? It’s not likely we’re going to get much in the way of cooperation from his existing services if they won’t respond to his pleas for help.

Ideally, you’d want to have regular [offline] backup copies of the website and pertinent data files (database, email, …)  If you don’t have that, aside from what is downloaded on the PC you may be out of luck without cooperation from your current host.

In your case, it sounds like you may be using an email provider that is different than your webhost? If so, your IMAP data (may?) still be intact– if it’s just the webhost provider that dropped the ball. (If they let their nameserver die, the MX record your email host needs will be broken.) Or maybe both services turned out to be garbage… It will be interesting to find out what you learn from the DNS lookup Paul mentioned.

Final thoughts: Having a third party email service is a good idea, if they can keep their IPs clean and stay on top of the necessary email requirements (DKIM/DMARC/SPF)…most do since that is their business.

Also be aware that it has become more common for any website to be proxied through anti-DDOS sites like CloudFlare.

If you can’t find a copy of your website, it may be worth checking with whoever built the site to see if they still have a copy. (They may have some recommendations for hosting providers too)

Reply | Quote

I’ve been using InMotion Hosting since June 26, 2011 for my website and email in one plan.  In all these years, I’ve not had an issue.  They’ve been through several hardware upgrades, and I’ve never noticed one of them.  I’ve never had an issue with my email.  Everything just works.

They can also help with domain migration, and they have excellent US based support staff.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

Reply | Quote