If I signed up for a year with Go Daddy to host my website

[RagingInMiami]

Can I find another host after the year is over and still maintain my website without going through any drastic changes?

[FormerDittoHead]

1. Sure - just copy the whole she-bang to your PC, then up to your new host..

By your question I'm guessing you won't have anything on your website that would otherwise cause a problem (like some kind of program or running database?

[RagingInMiami]

2. Well, I built the website through a program I purchased through Go Daddy

It's called Website Complete.

[democracyindanger]

3. Depends on what "drastic changes" means

It's more tedious than difficult. I just changed hosts a few months ago, and it boils down to:

1) Sign up with the new provider;
2) Upload your website files to the new server;
3) Test the website on the new server (via IP address instead of raginginmiami.xxx);
4) Contact your domain registrar (probably goDaddy, if that's your host) and change your domain's nameserver to what your new host tells you;
5) In about a day or sooner (depending on when the registrar gets around to it, my switch took several hours), your domain name will resolve to the new hosting server.
6) When you're sure that raginginmiami.xxx is directing visitors to the new server, contact goDaddy and tell them that you want to close your account out.

I probably left out a few details, but that's essentially it. You could also close your goDaddy account first, but your website will be offline until the new domain information is processed.

When you switch, your new provider will have specific information about moving your site.

[RagingInMiami]

4. I guess my next question would be, who else would you recommend?

[democracyindanger]

5. Totally depends on your needs

I use mediatemple.net. Good prices for what I need--hi-bandwidth graphics--and the support is great. If your website is going to chew up alot of server storage and bandwidth, that's what I'd recommend.

If it's more of a personal site, I can't offer any suggestions, except to say STAY AWAY FROM EARTHLINK. Sure, the tv ads are nicely done, but their support blows, all customer service is overseas and there are cheaper vendors out there.

[RagingInMiami]

6. It was the TV ads that lead me to Go Daddy

That hot chick in the Super Bowl commercial. I'm a writer/photographer so my website is for my business, so I need lot of bandwidth for photos and articles I've written.

I didn't like Go Daddy's support. It was 24/7, but it is difficult to talk to somebody who actually knows anything.

[democracyindanger]

8. Well, you should know

that goDaddy's owner is a raging freeper. Had a wingnut blog up last year--I think he eventually took it down.

[RagingInMiami]

9. bob parsons?

Shit, for some reason, I thought he was a dem. Not that I ever read his blog or anything. Even better. Gives me even more reason to send them to tell.

[trotsky]

13. NOOOOOOOO!

Aw man, I've been with GoDaddy for years. That sucks.

[democracyindanger]

7. Oh, and also

You might be better off not using goDaddy's software to build your page. It all pretty much does the same stuff, but if you find a cheap/free page builder then you won't have to familiarize yourself with a new application. If you have Word XP, you can use it to create web pages.

[RagingInMiami]

10. I have Frontpage

I just have no clue about HTML, which is why I purchased Go Daddy's software. Is that going to make it more difficult to switch?

[democracyindanger]

11. I don't think so but

I checked out goDaddy's page on Web Site Tonight--I assume that's what you're talking about--and it seems like you get it as part of your hosting package. That probably means once you stop using goDaddy, you won't be able to access the program anymore. The actual html site page will still work, but you'll have to use another editing app to make any changes. In the long run, you're better off using an app that is independent of any particular host.

And if they're charging you extra to use the program, that's pretty sleazy, IMO. Even Earthlink (DON'T USE EARTHLINK!) offers a site builder for free.

Again, if you have a fairly current version of Word, check the help files to see if you can create web pages with it. You don't really need to know any html.

[RagingInMiami]

12. No, I got something different than Website Tonight

It's this one here.

EDIT: I just read and it says "host anywhere" so I guess I'm good to go.

https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/websitecomplete.asp?se=%2B&ci=266