Basic website hosting question?

Question

Hello. This might be a no brainer but Im not a computer whiz. This programmer created my website and "hosted it" (not sure what that means exactly, and now has disappeared. Can I reassume control of it even if I cannot contact the creator? The email address on it has expired as well so thats another concern. Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

You may be able to locate the programmer by using a "Whois" site, such as in the link below. This will give you all pertinent info on your site, including contact info for the administrator, which should be your missing programmer.

You're going to need that information in order to administer the site because there are passwords involved.

Answer 2

You should try to register the domain in your name.  Go to, for example, godaddy.com.  It costs about $10 for 1 year.  

If you can't register it, then follow the whois info above.

You may also be able to retrieve a copy of the old site from archive.org (at least if it was static HTML).

In any case, to really help,  I need more information.  Can you email me with the domain name, and a brief description of the site content you expect to see, and a return email address?

Answer 3

Do you know whether or not you registered the domain name? Did he use your email and/or your personal information when setting up your hosting account? If any of these things are true and you can figure out where the site is hosted you should be able to regain control by emailing the host. If you need further help I would contact the people at http://www.hostamina.com and get hosting with them - they'll help you do everything you need to do to regain control and get back online!

Answer 4

If he hosted it..it could mean one of two things...it could mean he actually hosted the website on a computer in his basement or he paid to have it hosted.

You can host a website on your computer..(by running a web server) but you would have to keep it running 24 hours a day.

This is expensive so it is much easier to pay for a web hosting service to host it. If he hosted it..(in his basement) and has fallen out with you...you probably are screwed.if you know the company that hosted it..(and know their email, telephone number) maybe you can ring them up..They are usually excelent at this sort of stuff and really helpful.

Answer 5

I found a large list of personal website hosting companies. http://www.findwebsitehost.com Locating a local webhosting service might have it's advantages since you can visit thier facility if you need help.