what is the most standard way of moving website files from an old host to a new one?

Assuming the client doesn't have a copy of their site files, does the new host request that the old host send them the files? E-mail?

Thanks,

King

As far as I understand, you either 1. Do this manually. 2. Use a site copier tool provided by a new host(If they provide one.) Also keep in mind that if you have any databases you will need to figure out a way to export/import those.

Neofree

ok I can see how one could take the files directly from the Internet but what if the old host was crapping out and the site was a mess and didn't work properly?

I recommend you download all files via FTP. Use something like WS FTP Pro or FTP Voyager so you can select all files and folders and move them to a spot on your local hard drive. If your host is unreliable to the point that they are not online to get these files you need to contact their support department to get it online enough to get them out of there. If the files don't work, that is your responsibility to make them work, unless you contracted someone else to develop the site for you. Once you have an image of your site on your hard drive, not only do you have a backup, but you can upload them to the new one. Another good practice is to always make changes to a copy of your site on your local hard drive, then upload any changes after you saved them there. This makes sure you alway have a backup.

Thanks for the info neofree.

The website is screwed, you can't even get past the splash page. I guess I'll contact the host and tell them I need to get access to those files and to get them up online.

I'm not a "real" host but I do host sites that I design. I've never had this type of problem before.

I eventually will redesign the site but until then the company needs their old one up and running.. unlike it is now... so I offered to host their old one until that time.

I just hope these guys are still responsive and in town.

If I were to rip the site as it is, would I get copies of all the files, assuming they are present on the server? Or just the ones that the links work to?

Originally posted by neofree
I recommend you download all files via FTP. Use something like WS FTP Pro or FTP Voyager so you can select all files and folders and move them to a spot on your local hard drive. If your host is unreliable to the point that they are not online to get these files you need to contact their support department to get it online enough to get them out of there. If the files don't work, that is your responsibility to make them work, unless you contracted someone else to develop the site for you. Once you have an image of your site on your hard drive, not only do you have a backup, but you can upload them to the new one. Another good practice is to always make changes to a copy of your site on your local hard drive, then upload any changes after you saved them there. This makes sure you alway have a backup.

You can actually use FlashFXP to transfer directly from one server to the other one...