Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : Moving from shared to VPS

[toenh]

Hi everyone,

I have a Web site which is going to start small and then expand based on which pages are visited the most. My plan is to start with a shared host, maybe Hostgator's Swamp plan, then when the site grows large enough, move to something like a virtual private server on LiquidWeb.

I'm wondering if this is the right way to go. Is it difficult to transfer a site (maybe e.g. 100 pages of simple XHTML, nothing fancy) like this? I feel it's pointless to pay for a VPS for a few months if I don't need anything better than shared.

I know this is addressed in one of the tutorials but I'm interested in hearing your experiences, especially with Hostgator and LiquidWeb.

[markjut]

It is probably the best way to go, transferring things over may be a little tricky but often your new host will help you transfer it all.

[The Stealthy One]

toenh, it would likely be better, however, if you could find a host that offers a shared hosting plan you can use, and a VPS plan you can use. Transferring within the same host is usually going to be a lot easier than switching hosts altogether, especially as your site gets larger.

[Asher S]

Not too many VPS hosts (unless they're very small and need the business) would transfer your files for you from the shared hosting because:

1. Differences in control panels that may arise
2. The fact that VPS are like dedicated servers so this would come under managed services

So you should be ready to pay a price if you want your new host to transfer your data for you.

[Annex]

Originally Posted by ReyoxHosting

Not too many VPS hosts (unless they're very small and need the business) would transfer your files for you from the shared hosting because:

1. Differences in control panels that may arise
2. The fact that VPS are like dedicated servers so this would come under managed services

So you should be ready to pay a price if you want your new host to transfer your data for you.

I highly doubt number 1 will be an issue. Most people have used 1 or 2 control panels, and tend to choose the same one over and over. Also even if they wont do it for you, youll have better transfer speeds as it wont even leave the building.

[UH-Bobby]

I also doubt that one will be an issue. Most of the time, with VPS's people have a choice of control panel.

[Asher S]

Originally Posted by Annex

Also even if they wont do it for you, youll have better transfer speeds as it wont even leave the building.

What won't even leave the building?

[toenh]

Originally Posted by ReyoxHosting

Not too many VPS hosts (unless they're very small and need the business) would transfer your files for you from the shared hosting because:

1. Differences in control panels that may arise
2. The fact that VPS are like dedicated servers so this would come under managed services

So you should be ready to pay a price if you want your new host to transfer your data for you.

Actually I was planning on just using FTP to transfer all my files (maybe as one zip file) to the new host. The important thing is that I have FTP and (at least with the VPS) SSH.

[Asher S]

Yes you will get that with almost all VPS, should not be a problem. Try to get something which offers a control panel, a barebone VPS may be a bit daunting to manage.

[iHubNet-Matt]

If you are not much into the server handling, I would suggest you to have a control panel when you go for the VPS. Now as you are looking for a shared plan, you will be having a control panel and when you go for the VPS get the same control panel and that will help you to transfer the whole thing with a couple of clicks.

[toenh]

Originally Posted by iHubNet-Matt

If you are not much into the server handling, I would suggest you to have a control panel when you go for the VPS. Now as you are looking for a shared plan, you will be having a control panel and when you go for the VPS get the same control panel and that will help you to transfer the whole thing with a couple of clicks.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I am familiar with handling servers from the command line, but if it's just a few clicks with the control panel that sounds like the way to go, I'll look into it.

My impression is that both Hostgator (Swamp plan) and LiquidWeb are reliable hosts, but if anyone has other suggestions as far as this, please let us know.

[ldcdc]

Hostgator uses cPanel. Liquidweb's VPS has cPanel, and it is fully managed, as per their specifications. You'll have plenty of options to move your site over.

Having Liquidweb do it for you is not one of them though:

you: would you move an account from another host? (cpanel)
liquidwebBret: We don't usually do that. We can offer that solution on dedicated. Depending on how many accounts you have on that server etc.

[iHubNet-Matt]

What are your requirements on disk space and BW? I would suggest you to search this forum and that will give you a lot of hosts that will fir your requirements.
Then you can narrow down the list considering the factors like uptime statistics, level of customer support, response times etc.
HG and LW are huge companies and you will be able to find more lucrative options from smaller ones, if you search the forum. Also you can have a look at the offer section.

[The Stealthy One]

Yes, I have used HostGator in the past, and they do tend to be rock-solid in terms of reliability.

[LiquidWebTravis]

Originally Posted by ldcdc

Hostgator uses cPanel. Liquidweb's VPS has cPanel, and it is fully managed, as per their specifications. You'll have plenty of options to move your site over.

Having Liquidweb do it for you is not one of them though:

Let me clarify:
Liquid Web is fully managed, so if you have any problems w/ a site migration we will help you out completely w/ Phone and email support. As an alternative, if you really can't do the migration yourself we can provide someone to do it for you but it might be a small one time fee on a VPS account. I hope this helps clarify.