How to Change Your Web Hosting Without Losing Your Google Rank
Changing web hosting can feel challenging, especially when you’re worried about losing your hard-earned Google rank. The good news is that by following the right steps, you can migrate your website smoothly without negatively impacting your SEO. Here’s a simple guide to help you achieve this:
1. Choose the Right Hosting Provider
Start by selecting a reliable hosting provider. Look for features like:
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Fast loading speeds
- 24/7 customer support
- Reviews from users in your niche
Pro Tip: Some hosting providers offer free migration services, making the process easier.
| Hosting Provider | Price (per month) | Rating | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostinger | Starting at $1.39 (Single Shared Hosting) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5 | Visit Site |
| Bluehost | Starting at $2.95 (Basic plan) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5 | Visit Site |
| SiteGround | Starting at $3.99 (StartUp plan) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7 | Visit Site |
| HostGator | Starting at $2.75 (Hatchling plan) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3 | Visit Site |
| A2 Hosting | Starting at $2.99 (Startup plan) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6 | Visit Site |
| DreamHost | Starting at $2.59 (Shared Starter plan) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5 | Visit Site |
| InMotion Hosting | Starting at $2.49 (Launch plan) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4 | Visit Site |
| GreenGeeks | Starting at $2.95 (Lite plan) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4 | Visit Site |
| WP Engine | Starting at $20 (Startup plan) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6 | Visit Site |
| Liquid Web | Starting at $15 (Standard plan) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7 | Visit Site |
2. Backup Your Entire Website
Before making any changes, create a full backup of your website.
- Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or All-in-One WP Migration for WordPress.
- Download the backup files to your local computer.
This step ensures you have a safety net in case anything goes wrong.
3. Set Up Your New Hosting Environment
After purchasing your new hosting plan:
- Install your CMS (e.g., WordPress) on the new server.
- Upload the backup files to your new hosting environment.
Important: Ensure your new hosting plan matches the old one in terms of PHP versions and other configurations.
4. Update Your Domain Name Server (DNS)
Point your domain to the new hosting server by updating the DNS settings:
- Log in to your domain registrar.
- Replace the old nameservers with the new ones provided by your hosting provider.
This change may take 24–48 hours to propagate worldwide.
5. Test Your Website on the New Host
Before fully switching, test your website on the new hosting server:
- Check for broken links, missing images, and slow pages.
- Use tools like Google Search Console to ensure no crawl errors.
6. Keep Your Old Hosting Active for a Few Days
To prevent downtime, keep the old hosting active for a week after the migration. This ensures visitors from areas where DNS propagation is slower can still access your site.
7. Monitor Website Performance
After the migration:
- Use tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to monitor traffic.
- Check if Googlebot is crawling your site correctly.
Bonus Tips to Preserve Google Rank
- No Downtime: Ensure your site remains accessible during the migration.
- Check Robots.txt: Verify that search engines can crawl your site on the new server.
- Submit a New Sitemap: Submit an updated sitemap to Google via Search Console.
- Maintain URL Structure: Keep your URL structure identical to avoid broken links.
