Changing hosting companies -- can I expect to drop?

[driver105]

I have a client who is changing hosting companies. Everything else (domain name, site, content, etc.) will remain the same. Is there anything he needs to watch out for, plan for in making the switch? Will any of the rankings drop based on this change or should it be pretty seamless?

[gabs]

All should be fine as long as your site is not down for long..

For the best results make sure the new sites ips is fully working before pointing the dns..

If you ranking do change then your just have to wait while the SE re-adjust..

[driver105]

Great, that's what I was hoping to hear. Thanks, gabs!

[gabs]

No problem..

Good luck :D

[pk_synths]

Also don't quite your other account just yet. Load up the site on the new server and make sure you have an identical copy on both servers. Switch the DNS and keep the other server on for about 2 weeks or so before you cancel that account. Reason being that DNS takes time to update worldwide. Some do daily DNS updates and others do weekly DNS updates. So some users will be hitting one server and some will be hitting the new server. This also applies to spiders so having 2 concurrent sites up at once will make a smoother transition.

[sufyaaan]

It's a *must* read in your case:

http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/moving-to-a-new-web-host/

[driver105]

That's a great, and detailed!, post. Thanks!

[Chance]

if you can determine the ip you are going to be located it would be worth while to use msns ip search to see who is located on that ip. Also check out dnsstuff.com and check the spam databases.