I am facing a nightmare. My developer did not want to release my hosting login information and WebPress login to access my website (WP in the back end) I lost total control of my own website. I have contacted them and they told me they will send me the link and up until now, nothing. I am now have decided to close my website but retain my domain and transfer my online store to Shopify. I am facing the reality that I lost everything; money, time, and effort that I have invested towards creating a functional website. Seems like I have no choice but abandoned my current site and let it expired on its own. Thank goodness that my domain name is registered under my name as the sole owner and that the developer had no access to it. If someone can shed light on how to manage and close a website completely with no access to the website host. I really appreciate it
1) If you are hosting the site yourself and have access to the database, I can help by setting up a new administrator account. 2) If you are not hosting your own site and you do not have access to the database, then I would quickly grab what information you can off that website.. copy and paste, all the pictures etc and start with a new one. I can also help with that. I would not continue with a developer that would do that to you if you have made all the agreed payments for the original development. Additional services after the website was setup is something different and the website should not be kept from you. This is intellectual property but getting an attorney involved may be too costly.
We think it’s regrettable that certain firms or professionals would behave like this, but we have seen it occur far too often.
Since 2006, our team has been actively helping clients manage their domains as part of the IT stack for this very reason. Your domain is a critical part of your identity and overall IT infrastructure as it directly relates not only to your website, but your email.
A web host should never NEED to own your domain or even register it for you. Having a central IT controller like PremierePC in the mix can help as we manage the domain, and then any vendors who need access to records or changes.
With this in mind, let’s focus on the problem listed. First, attempt to gain access to the website control panel or hosting account. This is the root level of access and will be your best bet to re-gain control. If that is not possible, then a local admin account to the CMS or FTP account could be used.
If the provider is unwilling to provide access to services that you pay for then legal action may be needed. While this process is going on, if possible, securing your domain before brining any legal challenges will be a wise move.
In closing, keep your domains registered yourself and where possible purchase your own hosting and have your web team build your site there. Use a trusted third party like PremierePC to help manage and control these items and act as your trusted advisor and consultant to ensure no changes are being made that will have adverse consequences. Most importantly, your domain never NEED to move to your web host for them to host a website, we firmly believe that whoever provides and manages your email platform should be in charge of the domain and DNS.
Letter from your attorney might do it. And never sign a contract again without the stipulation that you own the files and have a right to them.
Business from Old Orchard Beach, ME
Answered on Mar 14th, 2018
I have had this ugly situation. I waited until I had a reliable new developer then changed the password for wordpress and godaddy within a space of 60 seconds. Good riddance to developers (only a few) who do this sort of thing. Really unnecessary.
In my view one is Formal way - review Contract Agreements, NDA, Legal path. This is feasible if we have Time and Resources to spend.
OR identify whats his/ her concern, because in any case existing developer is not going to gain NEW task with current reputation/ dispute. If concerns are genuine or were overlooked resolve amicably.
Worth of your existing website will help to decide which option to choose from the above than spending too much of energy/ resources on something which can be done easily.
* Assuming its a website and you own the DOMAIN name, rest most of it is manageable.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more help on this.
That depends on what you mean by website information:
- If by website information you mean the entire website itself then the question is did you finish paying for the website?
- If you've paid for the website but not the hosting account then that's your website. But it all comes down to whether there was a signed contract or not. If you have trouble retreiving the website you should still be able to retrieve the website content itself using public tools such as website downloader, etc.
- Sam
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Answers (21-30)
Hello,
I am facing a nightmare. My developer did not want to release my hosting login information and WebPress login to access my website (WP in the back end) I lost total control of my own website. I have contacted them and they told me they will send me the link and up until now, nothing. I am now have decided to close my website but retain my domain and transfer my online store to Shopify. I am facing the reality that I lost everything; money, time, and effort that I have invested towards creating a functional website. Seems like I have no choice but abandoned my current site and let it expired on its own. Thank goodness that my domain name is registered under my name as the sole owner and that the developer had no access to it. If someone can shed light on how to manage and close a website completely with no access to the website host. I really appreciate it
Thank you,
Jane
1) If you are hosting the site yourself and have access to the database, I can help by setting up a new administrator account. 2) If you are not hosting your own site and you do not have access to the database, then I would quickly grab what information you can off that website.. copy and paste, all the pictures etc and start with a new one. I can also help with that. I would not continue with a developer that would do that to you if you have made all the agreed payments for the original development. Additional services after the website was setup is something different and the website should not be kept from you. This is intellectual property but getting an attorney involved may be too costly.
We think it’s regrettable that certain firms or professionals would behave like this, but we have seen it occur far too often.
Since 2006, our team has been actively helping clients manage their domains as part of the IT stack for this very reason. Your domain is a critical part of your identity and overall IT infrastructure as it directly relates not only to your website, but your email.
A web host should never NEED to own your domain or even register it for you. Having a central IT controller like PremierePC in the mix can help as we manage the domain, and then any vendors who need access to records or changes.
With this in mind, let’s focus on the problem listed. First, attempt to gain access to the website control panel or hosting account. This is the root level of access and will be your best bet to re-gain control. If that is not possible, then a local admin account to the CMS or FTP account could be used.
If the provider is unwilling to provide access to services that you pay for then legal action may be needed. While this process is going on, if possible, securing your domain before brining any legal challenges will be a wise move.
In closing, keep your domains registered yourself and where possible purchase your own hosting and have your web team build your site there. Use a trusted third party like PremierePC to help manage and control these items and act as your trusted advisor and consultant to ensure no changes are being made that will have adverse consequences. Most importantly, your domain never NEED to move to your web host for them to host a website, we firmly believe that whoever provides and manages your email platform should be in charge of the domain and DNS.
Letter from your attorney might do it. And never sign a contract again without the stipulation that you own the files and have a right to them.
I have had this ugly situation. I waited until I had a reliable new developer then changed the password for wordpress and godaddy within a space of 60 seconds. Good riddance to developers (only a few) who do this sort of thing. Really unnecessary.
What is he holding hostage? your domain name? If so. What is the address of your website? Maybe I can help.
No I owe him no mone
We would need to know why the developer is holding the website hostage.
In my view one is Formal way - review Contract Agreements, NDA, Legal path. This is feasible if we have Time and Resources to spend.
OR identify whats his/ her concern, because in any case existing developer is not going to gain NEW task with current reputation/ dispute. If concerns are genuine or were overlooked resolve amicably.
Worth of your existing website will help to decide which option to choose from the above than spending too much of energy/ resources on something which can be done easily.
* Assuming its a website and you own the DOMAIN name, rest most of it is manageable.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more help on this.
All the best!
That depends on what you mean by website information:
- If by website information you mean the entire website itself then the question is did you finish paying for the website?
- If you've paid for the website but not the hosting account then that's your website. But it all comes down to whether there was a signed contract or not. If you have trouble retreiving the website you should still be able to retrieve the website content itself using public tools such as website downloader, etc.
- Sam