Changing Web Hosts

So, you have decided to switch web hosts. It is recommended you start the process at least a few days before the time runs out on the account with your present host. This will keep your website from experiencing any downtime between the move.

The first thing to do, after you have searched and found a new web host, is create a backup of your website. Make a new folder somewhere on your computer. Using your favorite FTP program, such as WS_FTP or Cute FTP (these and other FTP programs can be obtained at download.com), download all the files and folders on your website to the new folder you just made on your computer while maintaining the same folder and file structure (this will be important when uploading your files and folders onto your new host’s server later). Make a note of any special chmod permissions you have set on any file or folder (look in your FTP program’s help documents for information on checking a folder or file’s chmod permissions). You will need to reset the permissions after you upload your files and folders to your new web host’s server.

If you have any scripts or programs that you made a database for, make a backup of each database. If you have a database other than MySQL, check with your present web host for instructions on backing up your database. If you don’t have any databases, you can skip these instructions. If your web host offers phpMyAdmin, log in to your control panel and go to the database section. Look for a link to phpMyAdmin and click on it. If required, log in using the username and password you gave for your database. If you assigned a different username and password for each database, you will have to repeat this process for each database. After you log in, click on “databases” and then click on the database you want to backup/export. Click “Export” on the top menu.

If you are using phpMyAdmin 2.4.0, highlight all the tables under “View dump (schema) of database.” Make sure the “Structure and data” radio button is selected. Check “Save as file” and select either “zipped” or “gzipped.” Click “Go” and save the file (it would be a good idea to create a new folder in which to save all your databases).

If you are using phpMyAdmin 2.6.0-pl1, highlight all the tables under “Export.” Check the “Structure” and “Data” boxes and select “SQL” under the tables you highlighted. Check “Save as file” and under “Compression” select either “zipped” or “gzipped.” Click “Go” and save the file. (it would be a good idea to create a new folder in which to save all your databases).If you don’t have phpMyAdmin, you can backup your database using mysqldump.

Next, setup your databases.

If you have MySQL databases, log in to your control panel. Go to the database section and create databases. Also, assign usernames and passwords for the databases (if you have a database other than MySQL, check with your new web host for instructions on creating and importing databases). Now, find the link to phpMyAdmin. If required, log in using the usernames and passwords you just created. If you assigned a different username and password for each database, you will have to repeat this process for each database. After logging in, click on “databases” and select a database by clicking on it. From the top menu, click “SQL.”

Go to the folder you saved your databases in and select the database that corresponds to the one you have open in phpMyAdmin. Open the file and copy and paste the database in the large text area in phpMyAdmin. Click “Go” under the text area field. You can also use the browse button to find the file on your computer and click “Go” below the browse field. If you don’t see any errors, with whichever method you chose, you have just successfully imported the database. If you have more than one database, go back and repeat this process for each one, starting with logging in with your database username and password. If you don’t have phpMyAdmin, you can use this method to create your databases.

You may need to edit some files before uploading them in the next step, by changing MySQL database name, username and password settings within the files, if any information has changed. If you don’t remember which files contain MySQL settings, check the installation instructions for each script/program.

Next, upload the files from the folder in which you saved your website content onto the new web host’s server, maintaining the same folder and file structure, using your FTP program. The only difference in structure may be the location of the cgi-bin. Some web hosts have your cgi-bin inside the www or public_html directory and some have it placed outside. If you had any programs or scripts on your website, you may need to edit some files by changing paths within them. If you don’t remember which files contain paths that may need to be changed, check the installation instructions for each script/program. Also, change any file or folder permissions as needed (look in your FTP program’s help documents for information on changing a folder or file’s chmod permissions).

The final step is to point your domain name to your new web host’s name servers. This information probably came in an email from your new web host soon after you registered with them. If not, send them an email asking them what the name servers are for your domain. Once you have this information, go to the website where you have your domain name registered. Log in to your account and set the name servers for your domain. Please note that changes to name servers may take as much as a couple of days to take effect. If you still have a few days left on your old account, your website shouldn’t experience any downtime. Once the name servers change has taken effect, cancel the account with your old host (this is so you don’t get charged for another term). That’s it. You have successfully switched web hosts.

Changing Web Hosts / Brian Shoemaker

Brian Shoemaker is the owner of the web hosting directory Find-A-Web-Host.com offering business web hosting.

Online Entrepreneur Basics

Today more and more often we hear about the overnight riches being made online. However when attempting to locate opportunities you can find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of sites offering you the chance to make incredible profits without ever leaving your home. Let’s face the facts anyone who would not be intrigued by these offers, in my humble opinion are either not being honest or just don’t understand the incredible potential an internet business can offer.

What can be the most discouraging is the number of “offer in your face” type advertising that we see a lot of in the work at home category. This is in no way a new concept, just take a look at your local newspaper in the automotive section, every dealer within 200 miles is stating a better deal than the next just to get you in the door. The same holds true on the internet, however if you take your time and research the type of business that most interests you there is no doubt that your odds for success will greatly improve.

You see, the whole point here is that many of the offers found on the internet do consist of quality information that can get a small home based business up and running in no time, those individuals who offer such opportunities basically have no choice but to advertise there maximum profit potential just to get a shot at the sale and stand out in the crowd. I not saying that all the work at home programs sold online today are right for you. The fact is what works for you might not work for someone else and vice versa. I myself bought several online work at home courses, it was a matter of learning everything I could and putting it all together in to something that was right for me.

I would like to share with you the 5 basic steps I found to be helpful when I started out…

1) Get organized, dedicate a place in your home that will become your working environment. A spare bedroom works great, but if this is not an option just dedicate a section of your apartment or home away from distractions. Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day, make the best of what you have, improvements can be made later.

2) Dedicate yourself to your new business, remember this is your business it’s up to you to stay focused and on track. It might sound a little silly but I use to pretend I still had a boss and would ask myself what would happen if he or she walked in right now. It did keep me on track and got me in to the right mindset.

3) Let others know your work schedule and that you are not to be bothered during these times. Letting in distraction can be the start of bad habits, as you gain experience and confidence with your business your freedom will grow.

4) Set goals for your business, following a business plan will help you track the progress you are making and where improvement is needed. Example: select a realistic date on a calendar and hold yourself to it, completion of a certain task or your company’s first profit it’s up to you.

5) “Stay Positive” This is in my opinion the most important and sometimes most difficult. All I can say is try to find the positive in whatever is happening, I would get excited when I saw that I had made X amount of dollars online only to realize my advertising costs were double that. I would try to keep motivated by telling myself I had learned how to make sales now I just have to fine tune the advertising. This is all part of the up’s and down’s of getting your business off the ground. Once you succeed it’s one of life’s most rewarding experiences. I hope you found this information useful, good luck with all your future endeavors.

Online Entrepreneur Basics / Jim D Williams

Jim Williams is the owner of Opportunity Knox, a small home based business running several affiliate related websites. Visit: www.canadianopportunity.com

Fears Of Starting A Home Based Business

When starting a home based business there are so many things that cross a person’s mind. One of the biggest challenges in starting a home business is the person themselves. Starting a home based business can be scary because there’s so much that goes into it. A home based business is not something you can pick up and start doing without having money and doing research. The money aspect strikes fear in the minds of many; we all worry about money even if we have a successful business.

Not knowing where that money is going can be even scarier. We tend to ask ourselves so many questions when starting a home based business. How much money will I need? How many hours will I have contribute to this business? Will I be successful? How long can I do this for? Am I smart enough to pull this off? Will someone help me? Believe it or not; if you have the right attitude you can have all of these questions answered and be happy in no time.

Probably the most asked questions by people are? How much money will I have to have in order to start my business? And how much money can I make? Well, in-order to start a home based business you will definitely have to spend some money. When I started my business I spent about $100, I thought that was great; the problem was I didn’t make that money back.

After making the necessary changes to my website I ended up spending another $1500. Now here’s where one of those fears comes in to play. Some people would spend that first $100 or more and give up because they lost it, and didn’t make anything in return. The fear creeps in and says to you “Do you want to put more money into this not knowing if you’re going to be successful or not?”

The answer is yes; no one who has started an online home business has breezed through the start up phase; there’s a trial and error period for everyone. If you can see where you went wrong and then change it, you’re on your way to being successful. Online home businesses are marathons, not sprints. I make changes to my website and thought process daily, get used to it. The ones who are successful in this business can take the negatives and turn them into positives.

In regards to how much money you can make it’s up to you; you get what you put into it. I’m sure we have all seen the “get rich quick schemes” that tell you can make $10,000 a week; guess what? They aren’t really telling you the whole truth. You actually can make that kind of money; I know people who are; what they don’t tell you is how to do it before you sign-up. If you want to make that kind of money you better be prepared to work hard and be very resilient. I make great money doing this, but it didn’t happen overnight.

You should expect to put at least 8 to 10 hours a week into your business when you get started. The further you get into the process, the more time you’ll find yourself spending on your business. From what I’ve seen, the people who are successful started out working some hard hours; worked even harder longer hours as time went by, and then worked less hours because they got their business to the point where their website does most of the work for them.

Another fear that creeps into our minds is; will I be successful at this? The answer to this question is up to you. If you want to be successful and are willing to do the groundwork, you will be. Here are some tips on how to be successful; first of all, it’s all in your head. When I was younger my parents told me something I will never forget; they said, “Corbin, what you get done today may not payoff for you immediately; you might not see the desired results until years from now? When I heard that I got a little depressed; I was a kid and wanted things fast.

As I’ve gotten older I realized how true that is; it’s all about patience. About five years ago I was very overweight; I was extremely depressed because I felt disgusting and wanted to look good. What made me even more depressed was the fact that I knew I wouldn’t loose that weight overnight; or even in a month. I remember what my parents told me and focused on running everyday.

I didn’t focus on being 50 pounds lighter; I focused on finishing the short-term goal of running that particular day. Days became weeks, and weeks became months; before I knew it, I was fifty pounds lighter; I felt and looked great. When you start a home based business, adopt that theory, I promise you it works!! Try to set some big goals and even more little goals. The little goals are the ones that will payoff faster; the bigger goals will eventually come and give you the most satisfaction.

Write down the little and big goals; fold the paper up with the big goals and don’t look at it over and over again, you’ll get depressed. Keep the smaller goals in front of you and keep looking at them; that’s the road map to the big goals. Another thing to remember when asking yourself if you will be successful or not is: this business is a very competitive. We all have had jobs and had competition; well imagine having thousands of competitors.

In this business you are up against some of the brightest advertisers in the world. Don’t get discouraged though; there’s enough to spread around for everyone to get a piece of the pie. Try not to worry about what others are doing; focus on your little goals and challenge yourself; if you do that, you’ll be successful. If you got the guts and work hard you’ll make your dreams come true.

You don’t have to be very smart to pull this off; you need to ask questions and try new things. You’re only going to learn from the mistakes you make, and plan to make a lot of them. I make mistakes all the time, but I never make the same on twice, and that’s the key. This business changes all the time; you have to role with the punches in order to make your home based business work.

In regards to getting help in this business; remember you’ll never be alone. The internet is loaded with resources and people who can help you be successful. There’s not one question that you have about your business that can’t be answered almost immediately. Unfortunately not everyone will help you, but there are a lot of folks who can guide you through the process. I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today if wasn’t for numerous people. I belong to an online home business forum where I can chat with people who are doing the same thing as me.

Join one of these forums and latch onto someone who has knowledge and makes you feel comfortable. If you think you can start a home business by yourself, you’re not going to make it. I’m not smart, but my web friends are!! The skills I lack I lean on them for; the skills I have are used by them. We need to work together in order to find new ways to advertise and keep up with the ever changing business world; if you try it by yourself you’ll be out of this business in no-time. Another thing to remember is: be true to yourself and don’t be one of those scam artists.

If you play by the rules you’ll have a better chance of long-term success. If you lie to people you might make it for a little while; eventually your actions will catch-up with you. I’m 31 years old and I don’t know everything; I do know one thing though; what goes around comes around, that’s probably the greatest statement I’ve ever heard, because it’s true.

I want everyone to be successful in this business. It’s important to believe in yourself; YOU CAN DO IT!!! Just work hard and don’t give up; do as much research as possible. The research will be the backbone of your business. You need knowledge to succeed, and all the knowledge you will need is out there for you to grasp, and most of it’s free.
Corbin Forbes

opportunitiesFears Of Starting A Home Based Business / Corbin Forbes

Corbin Forbes is a 31 year old Internet Marketer from Pennsylvania. He truly cares about spreading information about his own experiences, successes and failures. He wouldn’t have gotten to where he is today without the help from so many individuals. Visit his website (http://www.corbforb.com) to find the best home income