As i am just starting a business and dont want to commit to leasing a dedicated server untill i know if the business model is going to fly. How difficult a process is it to backup the db and files off a shared hosting package and move it to a dedicated server later

[Lhotch]

The ease will depend on your skill level and what tools your host offers for your to use. For the site itself simply copy the files in your web space over.

For the database the biggest problem I have encountered is that phpmyadmin has such a small limit to the size of the file that can be imported that if your website has a decent number of ads phpmyadmin wont work to import the data to the new database.

If you have shell access you can easily use the command line mysql interface or barring that what I have done is write a simple php script that executes the command and imports the data.

Thank You for the responce. On that not however are there any hosting providers that you recomend. Preferably one that offers both shared and dedicated packages

[Lhotch]

Honestly I havent really shopped around and who you would go with would likely be greatly influenced by the amount of traffic you are looking to have. FOr dedicated hosting rackspace seems to be a winner.

[SkGold]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thank You for the responce. On that not however are there any hosting providers that you recomend. Preferably one that offers both shared and dedicated packages

You may try Hostgator. I like them. They have great uptime and support. However they probably have some network issues, especially with Yahoo, at this moment. But I am sure they will fix it.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by SkGold

You may try Hostgator. I like them. They have great uptime and support. However they probably have some network issues, especially with Yahoo, at this moment. But I am sure they will fix it.

Everyone is having problems with yahoo atm.
You can host with me pretty cheap and I know 68 class as well.
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