Close a Site Overview

See how to help a client permanently close their site.

Keep the Domain

Strongly suggest that the client pay for their domain for the next 5 years so that no one else can make use of it.

Closure Notice

If your client has a lot of traffic, they may continue to get clicks for at least the next 6 months.

Consider creating a static HTML page and using it to explain that the site has closed.

This will be your new index.html page.

You will also need to replicate this page as a 404.html page for any broken link visits that hit the site.

You can see an example of such a site here https://www.marilynstreats.com/

Hosting

If you will be using a static HTML page, your client may want to step down to a cheaper hosting package.

You can set up the static HTML pages prior to pointing the domain to that host, if you like.

Gather Info

See this page for an example of the checklist I use when sunsetting a client’s site.

It has:

• All login info
• Reminders to discontinue other site-related items, like premium plugin subscription
• Steps in the order they should be performed

On Day of Closure

If the site will be shut down permanently, or the domain will be pointed to another hosting package, you will want to follow this tutorial for deleting everything at the current hosting: Delete Site at Old Host

FYI, this tutorials is in the Migration section and contains the same steps needed after you move a site to another host.