Your web developer disappeared? We can take it from here.
It happens to a lot of businesses. The freelancer moved on, the agency closed or went out of business, the developer retired, or they simply stopped replying. Then your host warns that the site runs on an old version of PHP, the language its code runs on, and you can’t get hold of the person who built it. That’s fine. We can pick it up from here, without needing them.
Start a rescue request → A person reviews every request. No obligation.Can’t get into your own website? Getting access back
Often the first job is working out who holds the keys. Access may sit in the old developer’s accounts, and sometimes even the domain name is registered in their name. We help you find out:
- Which company hosts the site and where the domain is registered
- Whether the code is kept anywhere besides the server, such as a code repository
- What the host or registrar needs from you to confirm the business owns the site
Where access recovery is needed, we quote it as its own step so the upgrade price is not mixed up with unknowns.
Working out what they built
When the person who built it has moved on, nobody may know exactly how the site was put together. That is normal, and the code itself tells us most of what we need. Before quoting the upgrade, we review the code: whether it is WordPress, another platform or a custom application, which framework it uses (a ready made base that developers build on), what it connects to, and which parts depend on old PHP features.
We also look for things that only the old developer knew about: scheduled tasks (cron jobs) on the server, settings stored outside the code, and changes made directly on the live site that exist nowhere else. You get a plain explanation of what we found and what we recommend.
Keeping what works, and upgrading the rest
We don’t rewrite working code for the sake of it. We take a full backup, make the changes needed for a currently supported PHP version on a private staging copy, test the workflows your business depends on, and leave the rest as your staff and customers know it. If parts of the system really should be replaced, we explain why and you decide.
So you’re never stuck like this again
When the work is done, the access sits with your business, not with one person. We write down where the site is hosted, how it is put together and what was changed, so whoever looks after it next is not starting from scratch.
Questions
My web developer disappeared and we have no logins. Can you still help?
Yes. Send us the website address and anything you have, such as an old invoice or email from the developer. That is often enough to work out who hosts the site and how to get access back.
The agency closed or went out of business. Who owns our site now?
If your business paid for the site, you can usually regain access through the host and the domain registrar by showing the business is the owner. If you have a contract with the developer or agency, check what it says about ownership.
Do we have to start again with a new website?
Usually not. Most of the time the better option is to update the existing code so it keeps working on a currently supported version of PHP. A rebuild only happens if it makes sense and you agree.
How do we give you access safely?
Never by email and not in the enquiry form. Once you agree to go ahead, we arrange access securely, and you can remove it when the job is done.
How it works
- 01
Tell us what’s happening
Share your web address, paste the warning from your host, or describe the problem. No PHP knowledge needed.
- 02
We review
A person looks at what you sent and works out what needs checking.
- 03
We recommend a plan and quote
You get the recommended approach, a clear scope and a price, including anything that needs further investigation.
- 04
We test and upgrade once agreed
Where feasible, changes are tested on a separate copy before going live. Nothing starts until you approve.
Let’s get your site on supported PHP.
Tell us what’s happening. A person replies.
Start a rescue request →