Gary Illyes from Google addressed whether switching web hosting platforms could negatively impact a site’s rankings and SEO. It’s a valid concern, as moving a website to a new hosting provider involves a variety of technical details, and any misstep during the process can lead to immediate adverse effects on search engine rankings.
What Does Changing a Website Host Entail?
Switching web hosts can seem daunting, but if you’re managing a standard WordPress site, migrating to a new host is relatively straightforward, particularly with the help of specialized plugins. Even if you choose to do a manual migration, it’s simple if you’re comfortable with tools like phpMyAdmin for database management and familiar with SFTP software for file transfers.
Gary Illyes from Google mentions that it’s crucial to follow the correct procedures when changing hosts, but this process can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never done it before. While the guidelines might seem extensive, the transition can be smooth and thriving with the right tools and some preparation.
Does Changing Website Hosting Affect SEO?
A common question among website owners is:
“My company is considering switching website hosts. Would this have a negative and lasting effect on our SEO rankings?”
Gary Illyes from Google responded:
“If you follow the correct procedures, ensuring that the website remains accessible and downtime is kept to a minimum, changing hosts should not negatively impact your pages’ rankings in Google’s search results.”
Two Things To Be Mindful Of
Gary Illyes’ response assumes that your new web host is at least as resposible as your current hosting platform. SwitchingSwitching to a less robust or lower-quality hosting servicecould lead to various negative consequences.
Gary highlighted two critical factors to consider:
1. Website Is Resolvable
This pertains to how your domain name points to the correct IP address hosted by your website. When you move to a new host, you must update your Name Servers (NS) with the domain registrar to point to the new hosting provider. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure that the A Record (Address Record) accurately reflects the IP address of your new hosting server. Remember to update related entries, such as those affecting email functionality.
2. Downtime Is Minimal
Minimizing downtime is crucial during a hosting transition. While temporary outages are unlikely to cause permanent damage to your SEO, extended downtime can lead to ranking drops. However, if your site is offline and comes back with the same structure and content, Google will generally re-index your pages without lasting harm.
Even a site that is down for weeks can recover its rankings if everything is restored to its original state. It might take Google a couple of weeks to recrawl and reindex all your pages, but your rankings should eventually stabilize.
While migrating to a new web host carries risks, careful planning and attention to these two factors can help ensure a smooth transition with minimal impact on your SEO performance.
Consider exploring our monthly SEO packages if you still need clarification and guidance. Let our team of experts help you through the process.
