Ready to retire your site? Our streamlined process handles the complex archiving and technical steps, ensuring your historical data is secure and your domain traffic is managed correctly.
Decommissioning a website involves more than just turning it off. Our structured process ensures that all essential data is archived, traffic is handled appropriately, and hosting services are cleanly terminated.
While we strive to standardise this process, please note that every website has unique requirements based on its hosting setup, domain registrar, and historical data needs. The steps below outline our standard procedure.
Data Archiving & Backup
Before the hosting account is terminated, we perform comprehensive backups to secure your historical data and content.
1. Hosting Provider Backup (Full Technical Archive)
This is a complete, technical backup of your website, including all files and the underlying databases stored on the hosting server (e.g., WPEngine.)
- What it is: A full technical snapshot of the live site.
- Purpose: It ensures we have a complete copy of the site’s functionality and content for forensic purposes or in case the site needs to be fully restored later.
- Accessibility: This backup is not directly browsable (it’s a package of files and database dumps).
- Retention: The archive is stored securely in our system for 90 days following termination, after which it is permanently removed.
2. Front-End/Browsable Backup (Content Archive)
We use a software tool (such as SiteSucker) to create a front-end download of the site.
- What it is: A local, browsable version of the website as it appeared to visitors.
- Purpose: It’s ideal for reviewing past layout, design, and copy.
- Functionality: It will retain the visual integrity of the site but will not have the full functionality of the live site (e.g., forms or database-driven features).
- Retention: The archive is stored securely in our system for 90 days following termination, after which it is permanently removed.
3. Contact / Enquiry Form Submissions
Any data collected through website forms is exported for your records.
- What it is: A structured data export, typically in CSV format.
- Purpose: To preserve all client/user submission data collected up until the point of decommissioning.
- Action: We will confirm the names of all forms and provide a consolidated file for each form.
Traffic & Domain Management
Domain ownership and management are critical components of the decommissioning process. Unlike the hosting and website files, the domain name is typically owned and controlled directly by the client.
4. Domain Strategy & Management
Before the website is terminated, you must decide what should happen with your domain name (e.g., www.yourcompany.com). You have a few options:
- Redirect Traffic (Recommended): If you have a new or existing corporate site, we strongly recommend implementing a 301 redirect. This automatically forwards all visitors and search engine traffic from the old domain to the new site, preserving any valuable SEO standing. We can implement this redirect for you via your DNS/Domain Registrar settings.
- Cancel the Domain (Not Recommended): While you can choose to let the domain registration expire, we advise against it. Once expired, the domain becomes available for public purchase, and shady actors often buy old domains to capture legacy traffic or potentially pose as your business.
- Expert Advice: We are happy to review your specific business needs and provide tailored recommendations on the best course of action for your domain.
5. Associated Domain Services Check
A domain name often supports more than just the website. Before any action is taken, we recommend confirming:
- Email Accounts: Are any active email accounts (e.g., [email protected]) currently attached to this domain?
- Other Services: Are there any third-party services (e.g., internal systems, subdomains, etc.) that rely on this domain’s DNS settings?
We will discuss and confirm your domain details before proceeding to ensure no vital services are unintentionally disrupted.
Analytics & Final Deliverables
6. Google Analytics / Search Console Data
Data from your website’s analytics accounts (like Google Analytics and Search Console) will be archived.
- Action: We will save off high-level reports from Google Analytics for your reference.
- Termination: Access to the analytics property is typically terminated within the final days of the process.
7. Archive Download Delivery
All final deliverables (Archived Backups, Form Submissions, and Analytics Reports) will be compiled and delivered to you via Google Drive.
- Delivery: We will provide a secure, time-limited link to download the complete archive folder.
Hosting Account Termination
Once all backups are confirmed and the client has approved any redirect status, the underlying hosting account will be terminated and removed from our systems. This is the final step in the process.