Many people ask this question: can I change my email hosting company?
The answer is yes, you can! Changing your email hosting provider is not too complicated. However, there are some specific things that you should know for a smooth transition and to ensure that no emails get lost in the process.
This guide will help cover all the essential points for changing your email hosting company in no time. Above all, this tutorial doesn’t need any IT knowledge. Follow our step-by-step guide, and you’re ready to change your email hosting company. So, let’s begin!
Can I Change My Email Hosting Company – Detailed Answer
Of course, you can change your email hosting company. However, before starting this process, we recommend you make a checklist of everything you require for transition.
Following are some of the factors you must consider for your list before changing your email hosting company:
Back up Your Emails
It’s essential to back up all your messages before switching to a new email hosting provider. It includes emails in your inbox, other folders, unread messages, junk inbox, spam, and any custom folders you may have. Make sure that no data is left behind during the migration process.
Choose a New Hosting Provider Carefully
Take the time to research and select a provider that fulfills your requirements in terms of security, performance, features, user-friendliness, pricing, and reputation. Furthermore, ensure they’re compatible with IMAP servers.
Configure MX Records
Adjust your email’s MX records (your mail exchange records) to direct them to the new server. It confirms that emails are delivered to the correct email server smoothly.
Perform a Trial Migration
Before finalizing the migration, conduct a test to ensure a smooth transfer and prevent data loss.
Notify Clients or Employees
It’s necessary to display the transition plan and timeline with your clients or employees to avoid confusion.
Why/When Should You Change Your Email Hosting Provider?
Various reasons can make you think about changing your current email hosting provider.
It could be dissatisfaction with your current hosting provider’s service quality, features, or pricing. On the other hand, you might have outgrown your current plan and need additional storage space or advanced features for managing emails, and your current hosting provider doesn’t have these upgrades. It’s like you need a larger box for your things because your current box doesn’t have the capacity or features you want.
Also, it’s essential to consider your migration timing. Ideally, you should perform the transfer process during the low activity periods for your business to avoid or minimize any disturbance.
Steps to Change Your Email Hosting Company?
Changing your email hosting provider is not an issue, especially if you have the best guide with a simple, logical process. Below, we’ve provided you with step-by-step instructions to assist you:
Step # 1: Sign Up With the New Email Hosting Provider and Create an Email Account
Firstly, create a fresh email account with your selected email hosting provider when moving.
Decide a strong password for your recently created email address to avoid duplicate passwords and enhance security. Combining uppercase and lowercase letters, special symbols, and numbers is perfect for making a unique password.
Besides, if you want to keep any specific inboxes from your old provider, just recreate them on your new email server. It may seem straightforward, but it’s necessary, as you require a safe and secure account to proceed effortlessly with the other remaining steps of the transition process.
Step # 2: Set Up Your New Email Account With the New Mail Server
After creating an email account with your changed hosting company, the next step involves setting up this account (the new email account) on your devices. To achieve this, obtain the accurate server settings from the new hosting company and update them on all of your devices used to access your email, including mobile devices.
Step # 3: Transfer Old Email Data to the New Email Client
When moving your old email data to the new client, different options can help. Some popular email services (such as Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, Mozilla, and Apple Mail) offer built-in tools for importing and exporting mailbox data. These services can be a straightforward and convenient method for transferring your attachments and messages from one location to another.
However, you can also utilize third parties and services to automate your transition procedure if you like a more hands-off approach. In addition, it is worth noting when moving a large amount of emails, it’s advisable not to transfer emails in bulk simultaneously. Sharing ample emails at once can lead to issues such as email client crashes, significant slowdowns, and the risk of data loss.
Instead, it’s wise to take it step by step and download smaller batches of emails as you progress.
Step # 4: Update Your DNS (Domain Name System)
Once you’ve created a new email account with your new hosting provider and transferred your old email data, the last essential step is to update your DNS (Domain Name System.) It involves making necessary changes to all your records (such as MX, SMTP, & CNAME) to point to the new server.
If you want to know about your DNS information, contact your new hosting provider for the correct nameservers. Once you have this information, make the necessary changes at your domain registrar.
To prevent any issues, ensure that you’re aware of your DNS host before you begin the process and carefully double-check all modifications made to your records.
Note: When making DNS changes, give it up to 24 hours (1 day) for the modifications to propagate worldwide.
Wrap Up
Changing email hosting providers is a crucial decision that involves careful planning and execution. It’s necessary to consider security, features, and performance factors when you select a new email hosting company. So, take your time to choose the right provider, test the migration, and communicate the changes to your team or clients to minimize disruptions.
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