An update...

I am so angry at all the downtimes and poor service, I have now cancelled my package and set up domain tranfers to my new registrar... I am still entitled to be using my current server until the 9th of March. However, my current host are now claiming that the server is down because I cancelled the package. In spite of the fact that I said I only cancelled 30 minutes ago and the reason I cancelled was because they won't help me get my server back up and running, they still claim I am to blame.

It looks like my site could be down for a week while I get this tranfer done.... Is this going to ruin me?

Three years... THREE YEARS of work down the drain.

I'm already showing errors in webmastertools on the sitemaps...

General HTTP error: HTTP 403 error (Forbidden)

I can't even got to my server via SSH, FTP or with PuTTY to change to a 503 header. It's a bank holiday where my subsidiary of the host are based, so I don't expect any help anytime soon.

[edited by: Asia_Expat at 8:09 am (utc) on Mar. 26, 2008]

I've thought of an idea...

I have a small shared hosting plan with antother host that I use for a little hobby site. I could set the domain's nameservers to point to that host and serve a 503 error for a week or so until I can get my new server up and running... but this will mean search engines see two IP changes in the space of a week... is this a wise move? I really want to get rid of that 403 response.

[edited by: Asia_Expat at 9:51 am (utc) on Mar. 26, 2008]

I doubt that there will be much practical difference to the SEs between a 403-Forbidden and a 503-Service Not Available. If I were you, I'd go in a straight line from old server to new, without any intermediate distractions. Get your most important pages back up on the new server as soon as possible, and temporarily block access to the second- and third-tier pages with robots.txt until you get the whole site working.

Jim

Thanks for your response jdMorgan
I estimate it will be minimum four days before I can get the site functioning again, unless I get some kind of response from 1and1. My Singapore host are being very helpful but they cannot get me up and running in any less than three days. It will probably be four or five days before the domains transfer registrars.

This is really heartbreaking. I can see this going very bad. I have no access to the server and no way of preventing the 403. It is likely to be there for days.

[edited by: Asia_Expat at 1:08 pm (utc) on Mar. 26, 2008]

On the other hand, if all or several sites on that old server are returning 403s, then the search engines will be 'aware' that it's a hosting problem, and it's doubtful that they will condemn all those sites...

Forget about your previous host, and concentrate solely on getting the new server up -- Review your local site 'image' files, write and review your upload and configuration plan, and make sure that everything is ready to upload to the new server as soon as you get an IP address assigned for it.

Jim

In the interest of fairness, I include the following response from a U.S. based dedicated server team, rather than the Philippines call centre...

[Removed Email Quote]

... but frankly, a 16 hour response time (only received because of my 9th call) is just not good enough for a managed server... and my site is still down... but at least it's just timing out now, rather than serving 403's.

[edited by: Asia_Expat at 4:41 pm (utc) on Mar. 26, 2008]

[edited by: pageoneresults at 4:48 pm (utc) on Mar. 26, 2008]
[edit reason] Removed Email Quote - Please Refer to TOS [/edit]

As you already know, be very wary of doing any cancellations or changes when leaving 1and1. Especially if the domains are registered there. This is a known behaviour of their system. I have always advised people to complete all transfers first because of this reason. I learned the hard way too.

Once you *do* leave you will find that there is no way of blanking out your credit card information. It just sits there.

I apologise for breaking the TOS... it was not my intention. I've had a bad day.

plumsauce: I already tried removing my CC details today... it's impossible.
The domain transfer from 1and1 is actually quite straightforward... IF you can figure it out!
I was a newbie once.... only newbies use this host.

[edited by: caveman at 6:21 pm (utc) on Mar. 26, 2008]

Understand your frustrations AE, but I can also say that many who've run sites over any length of time have experienced various forms of frustrations with hosting companies.

Most don't appreciate how important they really are until tech issues pop up, hacks take place, confusing dns/domain issues arise, email complaints are filed against you, and hundreds if not thousands of other issues.

For now, just do as Jim suggests. Chances are that if the exact same content goes back up on the exact same URL's, that you should be fine...perhaps with some short term rankings dips. Focus on the site getting back up.

I would have moved hosts about 4 months ago but I've been trying to teach myself server management first. Today's mess has galvanised me to move this week.
Indeed, it's easy to overreact when a website/community has become almost a part of your everyday life, especially when it is one of your main sources of income. I also appreciate your pointing out that all hosts present problems at some stage. however, in this case, I feel... (fill in the blank).

My website is back online right now at the old host. I already have 141 unique visitors in the last 36 minutes.

[edited by: caveman at 7:26 pm (utc) on Mar. 26, 2008]

> My website is back online right now

Not to take back what I said above, but do take advantage of this to post a notice that you're experiencing severe problems with your server, and that if you go off-line, you *will* be back in at most (three or four days?).

Jim

> My website is back online right now at the old host. I already have 141 unique visitors in the last 36 minutes.

Well that IS good news. You'll be fine, and so will your site. Consider this an important wake up call.

Now, take a deep breath, go for a walk, and come back ready to enhance not only the contents of your site, but also the stability of your site. ;-)

Aye :-)

Thought I'd give you an update in order to observe the results.

Today, webmastertools started showing about 150 '403 Forbidden errors'. Also, the site:mydomain.com/*? also started showing a corresponding reduction, although this might be a coincidence. I have seen a 30% drop in Google traffic... but oddly, a marked drop in page views per visitor.

I'm still waiting for the domains to complete their transfer to my new registrar. My main domain is showing 'Domain registration error' in the control panel of my old host, where my website still lives.

I'll have access to my new server in Singapore on Monday. I was most impressed to get a courtesy call from the new host to keep me informed.

[edited by: Asia_Expat at 4:00 pm (utc) on Mar. 29, 2008]