It’s common for web server administrators, especially those new to web hosting transfers, to contact their old hosting provider in advance to request cancellation of services. While it’s important to inform the previous provider about the transfer, doing so before the complete transition can lead to downtime and potential loss of database information and files.
When a client replies to a web hosting company to avail of a prorated refund of remaining fees, the hosting company often cancels the hosting plan immediately. However, this also means that all uploaded data on the servers will be virtually destroyed, with no chance of retrieval for transfer to a new hosting provider or shared hosting plan within a reasonable time frame. To prevent this, it’s crucial to transfer all files before canceling the existing hosting plan. After successfully transitioning the website to the new host and ensuring it runs smoothly for a few days, you can then proceed to cancel the old hosting plan.
To retrieve your backup files, access cPanel and download all website files and database information in a compressed format. In cPanel, go to the “Backup” section in the settings and control panel pages. This area includes backup tools for the “public_html” folder and subdomains. Look for the “Download Backups” option and navigate to the relevant cPanel administration page. Here, choose from various backup options like full-site backup, subdomain backups, and individual MySQL databases. Keep the downloaded backup files compressed until securely transferring them to the new host server. Decompress the backups only after they’re safely transferred.
Before DNS propagation, the new web hosting provider receives an email containing IP address details and domain name servers. These IP addresses are essential for viewing the website’s content, accessing individual FTP accounts, and the cPanel administration interface before making changes. If the email doesn’t provide a specific cPanel link, you can add “/cpanel” or “:2082” to the IP address to gain administrative login privileges.
After logging in, go to the “Backup Downloads” page and use the “Backup Restore” feature. Note that database backup files don’t include passwords, usernames, and permissions for MySQL databases. You’ll need to manually enter this information in the MySQL Databases interface in cPanel. Also, make sure to add necessary passwords, users, permissions, and any system file edits by logging into the FTP account using the site’s IP address.
