When the person who built it disappears.
HOW COMMON THIS IS
Very. It is one of the most frequent problems businesses bring to us.
WHAT GOES WRONG
The developer holds the domain They hold hosting in their own account They hold plugin licences Nobody else knows how the site works They become uncontactable
WHAT TO ESTABLISH AT THE START
The domain is registered in your name, in your account Hosting is in your account You have administrator access Licences are in your name where possible
WHAT TO ASK FOR
Documentation of what was built Access to everything A list of what is installed and what it costs
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ALREADY DEPEND ON SOMEONE
Ask for access now, while the relationship is good.
Not during a dispute.
WHAT TO DO IF THEY HAVE DISAPPEARED
Establish what you control Establish where the domain actually is Open a ticket; we may be able to advise
WHAT TO DO WHEN ENGAGING ANYONE NEW
Ownership of accounts in writing, before work starts.
