Changing Webhost

[Mhyles30]

Happy New Year Everyone!

My website is currently hosted by homestead, I like the fact that I have control over my website, change the design and layout anytime I want but they have increased their fee. They claimed this is the first time they have increased their price but I have only been with them for 3 yrs and I have paid more every year. Anyway, has anyone of you have ever changed one web host to another? I am a little technically challenge and want to make sure if I change a web host that I won't loose my design. I have checked online and they have good feedback on fatcow, their price is a lot better too.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mhyles
www.coloradomountainlabradoodles.com

[Jac]

Oh, boy...you ask a good question. I am very technically challenged and have stayed with my web host because they designed my page. Even though they have sent me the "language" in an email, I have no skill in web building at all and I know that it would be lost.
I don't know about the web host you mention. I do have some on "GoDadyd" but I have since read (from a web design forum) that GoDaddy is not the best...however, they do offer a lot of selections and they have been great to contact me and offer 24/7 technical assistance. Still, I don't use that because I don't speak web! LOL
Sorry...not much help.

[Tink]

I have bought my domain name from Go Daddy, but have my website hosted through MidPhase. I have a blog format for mine so that my buyers and others can leave comments on the site which has worked well for me.

To transfer an entire site from one host to another you need to use file transfer software so that all your images and coding are transferred correctly. Luckily I have a friend who is a webmaster by trade who helped me enormously in building my site. You might ask at a school that does computer classes if there is a student who might help you to just get it moved and trouble shoot if for you. I know our local craigslist often has students asking for the chance to do this kind of work for very small compensation.

[M&Tdoodles]

We use "Host monster.com" ...they are just the host..we design the web site and upload any changes we have done to the public_html file on Host Monster.
i think they are resonably priced...2 years and no problems yet...hope this helps you..

[Maureen]

Maila, you might want to give me a call; I use a guy with a WYSIWYG program and just do the tinkering/editing myself. I don't have some of the features you have on your site, but it's all homemade and I did it, and it's included in my advertising price or it's less than $100/yr I'm pretty sure.
anyway, email if you wanna know more about it and I'll look into it on this end too.

[Jac]

This is a good place to bring up what I have recently learned...I am totally technically challenged and we have a WONDERFUL person working on our non-profit web...(again, thanks Kathy!) and he has installed Joomla, a program that is free and you can use it on your web site...it is easy...even I am learning it! He also told us about a "training" web site that you pay $25 a month with no long-term commitment, and can get all sorts of technical training. Joomla is one, but it includes so many things...it is worth taking a look...it is Lynda.com

[Mhyles30]

Thank you all for your reply! i check with homestead about the change but apparently with them I cannot be refunded if I changed webhost now. They charged me already for this year and so I have to wait till 2010. I will be checking with your advices and see which one will work for me next year.

-Mhyles