Website recovery
Website recovery.
You’re here because something has gone wrong with your website. Sparkstorm specialises in fixing websites, website recovery and website repair.
If you are ready to get help then go ahead and click the buttons below. You can then read on for more information about the types of issues we can resolve, and the steps you can take to speed up the recovery process.
Website recovery callback request
Website gremlins.
Website failures are not uncommon, although the potential for failure can be mitigated by implementing best practice maintenance procedures. There are many potential root causes for site failures, including but not limited to:
- hardware failure: could be a CPU, RAM or a Harddrive. The hosting provider can fix all of these, but do you have a backup in the event of data loss from a harddrive failure?
- server OS updates: the server operating system is the core software upon which all the webserver software is layered upon. Updates can bring unexpected incompatabilities and errors
- software updates: there are many software components that make up a webserver, and these are constantly being updated to bring new functionality and to address bugs and stay secure. Updates can bring unexpected incompatabilities and errors
- poorly tested new website functionality: introducing new functionality without testing can cause conflicts and incompatabilities which result in website faults
- DNS issues: the internet domain name system is a critical component for making sure that your site can be communicated with. Mis-configuration of DNS records can result in website faults or website inaccessibility
- website hacked: while thankfully rare, your website might nevertheless be hacked, and consequently be maliciously damaged, become inaccessible or being held to ransom
- webserver software internal fault: all software can suffer from programming bugs, and the same is true of the software running your website
- content delivery network (CDN) issues: if your site uses a CDN, mis-configuration can result in website faults or website inaccessibility
- mis-configuration: your website will have thousands of configuration options. Any mis-configuration could cause a fault.
What can you do to give the recovery process the best chance of success?
- find your username and password for your domain registrar account: domain registrars keeps details of who owns which domains. Frequently used registrars in the UK are Ionos (including 1and1), GoDaddy, Fasthosts, 123-reg, Names.co.uk, Namecheap and Hostinger
- find your account username and password for your website hosting provider: the hosting provider provides the webserver hardware and software that runs your website. This is often the same company used as the domain registrar, but this doesn’t have to be the case
- website backups: if you know the details, information about storage of site backups will be useful
- notes on recent activity: have a think about what activity has been happening on your website recently, and if possible, just before the failure occurred or was spotted. This can give vital clues about the source of the problem
Website failure scenarios
500 error
The 500 error signals that the webserver has stopped serving pages for your website. The webserver may simply require a restart, or server software updates may be at fault.
Site not found
The exact error message given will depend on your browser, but is usually something like “This site can’t be reached” or “Hmm. We’re having trouble finding that site.” Usually a sign of a DNS problem.
404 error
The 404 error signals that the webpage you were looking for doesn’t exist on the webserver. Perhaps a broken link.
Wordpress - critical error
This WordPress error strikes fear into website owners and developers alike. There are many potential root causes and thus recovery can be time-consuming.
Broken functionality
Has a contact form stopped working? Suddenly unable to log in to your site? Payment gateway stopped working? All these and more potential functionality failures can occur.
Site hacked
A chilling discovery to say the least. Ransomware attacks usually mean that your site data has been encrypted. Without clean backups, recovery may be impossible.
Pricing.
We charge a flat £950 fee for recovery of a website, which is fully refundable if we are unable to accomplish recovery within 48 hours. This fee is reduced to £650 if you elect to switch your website to SparkStorm by purchasing one of our Hosting & Maintenance packages.
Please note that website recovery requires that you are able to provide us with access to your domain registrar account and hosting service provider account. We can guide you through this process!