Steps to Transfer Existing Site to Host Gator?

[willy921]

Hey Everyone,

I'm in the process of redesigning a site for a friend. While I think that I have a handle on it, I'm a relative newbie. I would appreciate your opinions and guidance to keep me out of trouble

The site is a basic, outdated brochure site that's currently with another host. For a variety of reasons, we've chosen to move the site onto WordPress here at HG. I'd like to preserve the valuable links the site has gained since inception and I'm trying to determine the best way to accomplish this.

After some research, I think these are the basic steps:

1. Establish Hosting Account
2. Transfer existing website to HG
3. Establish Email (as necessary)
4. Point DNS to HG name servers
5. Ensure everything is functioning correctly
6. Install Wordpress
7. Implement 301 redirect to pages whose URLs have changed
8. Confirm that everything is functioning correctly

Are these basic steps correct?

Also, it's my understanding that HG will transfer the existing website from the server on which it currently resides to the new Host Gator server, as long as it is done within 30 days of establishing a HG Account. Is this correct too?

Most of my uncertainty lies with the installation of WordPress and the transition from the old site. I'd appreciate any help you can offer.

Thanks.

[striddy]

Originally Posted by willy921

4. Point DNS to HG name servers
...
Also, it's my understanding that HG will transfer the existing website from the server on which it currently resides to the new Host Gator server

Slight correction in terminology on point 4. Set name servers at your domain registrar to the two name servers that will be shown in your welcome email from HG upon signing up.

The rest sounds good. Good luck.

[willy921]

David,

Thanks for your help!

[Pazeh]

I would say.-

1. Establish Hosting Account
2. Transfer existing website to HG
3. Establish Email (as necessary)
4. Install Wordpress
5. Ensure everything is functioning correctly
6. Implement 301 redirect to pages whose URLs have changed
7. Point DNS to HG name servers
8. Confirm that everything is functioning correctly


you can install and check everything is working fine via your IP, before doing the DNS change, you can also put the 301 redirects before the DNS change too.

[willy921]

Pazeh,

Thanks for the additional info. I appreciate it.