Transitioning from Shared Hosting to VPS

We frequently draw parallels between hosting options and real estate choices.

Think of your first shared host as akin to the apartment you moved into at 19, sharing it with a few roommates. When one of them, or perhaps a noisy neighbor, decided to crank up the music or stumble in drunk at 2 a.m., it inevitably affected you.

Upon moving into your own townhouse after graduating, you gained more space and more responsibilities in maintaining that space, much like a VPS user does.

To continue with the analogy, a dedicated server customer is comparable to a homeowner. They have the highest expenses, the most room to work with, and the most significant responsibility should anything go wrong with their property.

College dorms, apartments, rental properties—they all mark progress on the path to home ownership. Just as you wouldn't be ready for a mortgage right after undergrad, each upgrade in your living situation requires preparation, and there's a certain finesse to the moving process.

Transferring hosting services is no different. In this discussion, we will delve into the process of moving from a shared hosting plan to a VPS.

Here are four unmistakable signs that indicate you're ready to consider migrating to a VPS:

• Your website is loading exceptionally slowly.

• You've encountered the 509 Bandwidth Limit Exceeded error on multiple occasions.

• You need to run specific software, but your current hosting plan can't accommodate it.

• Your website is experiencing growth, whether it's an increase in traffic, business, or profit, and you're seeking enhanced security and support.

If you're noticing two or more of these signs concerning your website, it's safe to say you're ready for an upgrade. Let's delve into the steps for a successful migration.

Step 1a (Optional): Transfer Your Domain to a Domain Registrar

While this step is entirely optional, I strongly recommend considering the transfer of your domain name to a domain registrar. This proactive move can help prevent potential headaches down the road, especially if you ever need to switch hosting providers. Keep in mind that there is a mandatory 60-day waiting period after the initial registration or any subsequent transfer. After this waiting period, you are free to contact the registrar to initiate the migration of your domain. The new registrar will likely send you an Initial Authorization for Registrar Transfer form and possibly a Confirmation of Registrar Transfer Request form. If you are unsure about your current registrar, you can perform a Whois search to identify it.

Step 1b: Download Site Files and Export Your Site Database

Now, let's dive into the initial steps. Regardless of whether you are running WordPress, Joomla, another content management system (CMS), or none of these, you will need to export your site database and download your site files.

If your website utilizes cPanel, Plesk, or any control panel, you can easily create a backup using their respective wizards or backup and restore interfaces:

• For cPanel users, access the Backup Wizard.

• Plesk users can refer to the Backup and Restore documentation.

If you are using cPanel, you have the option to back up your entire website, download the backup file, and subsequently upload it to your new virtual server. This approach, using tools like cPanel's Backup Wizard, is particularly convenient for shared hosting customers or those who prefer not to directly manipulate site files.

Now, let's address the manual export of databases. Since you are transitioning from shared hosting, you likely still have access to a control panel. Log in and locate phpMyAdmin within the dashboard:

• For cPanel users, navigate to the Databases section and select phpMyAdmin.

• Plesk users should go to the Websites & Domains tab, click "Databases" under "Functions," and choose WebAdmin.

Identify and select the database that contains your website. If you are uncertain about the database name, you can consult your configuration file (e.g., wp-config.php for WordPress sites, configuration.php for Joomla sites, etc.). Once you have selected the appropriate database, click "Export" at the top of the screen. This action should generate an .SQL file containing all your site data.

To manually download all your site files, encompassing themes, plugins, and media uploads, you will utilize an (S)FTP client such as Filezilla. You can download Filezilla for free if you haven't already.

After downloading and launching Filezilla, access the File menu and select "Site Manager." Here, you will need to provide the following details:

• New Site: Enter your site's name.

• Host: Input your domain name.

• Port: The default port for SFTP is 22; leave it blank for FTP.

• Protocol: Choose the appropriate option:

• SFTP → SSH File Transfer Protocol

• FTP → FTP File Transfer Protocol (under the Encryption box, select "only use plain FTP").

• Logon Type: Select "Normal."

• User: Enter your cPanel username.

• Password: Provide your cPanel password.

Click "Connect," and you will be prepared to transfer files. Filezilla displays a Local Site pane and a Remote Site pane. To transfer files, move any site files from the Remote Site pane to the Local Site pane, effectively downloading them to your local computer. Alternatively, you can double-click files in the Remote Site pane to initiate automatic downloads.

Step 2: Transfer Your Files and Database to Your New VPS

Now, it's time to transfer your files and database to your new VPS.

Access your control panel within your VPS hosting account, and once again, open phpMyAdmin. Click "New Database," followed by "Import." Locate the .SQL file that you exported earlier and click "Go." Alternatively, you can execute this process through the command line.

To upload the site files stored on your local computer, reopen Filezilla and double-click the files in the Local Site pane to initiate the upload.

Step 3: Redirect Your IP Address to Your New Server

You're nearly there! It's time to contact your DNS provider and modify the value assigned to the A record (IP address) so that it points to your new server. Typically, this can be achieved by sending an email to your domain name registrar.

And there you have it! Your belongings have been packed and unpacked, boxes loaded and unloaded, and you are now prepared to revel in the pleasures of settling into a new hosting environment. I extend my best wishes as you make yourself at home in your new hosting space!

Is it time to expand your hosting capabilities to support your growing business? Explore multiple VPS hosting plans to discover the perfect fit for your website.