My Web Developer Disappeared With My Site, What Do I Do?

Here are six things you can do to help recover your website files:

1. Email the developer

You may have already done this before but it wouldn't hurt to email the developer a few more times. Try emailing them from different emails but don't ask them about your files just yet. Tell them that you are interested in getting a new website developed. If they respond, then you may proceed to ask them about getting your site files. This can be sticky because they may or may not respond. But, trying doesn't hurt.

2. Call the developer

Whenever you work with any developer, whether offshore or locally, you NEED to get a working phone number from them in case of an emergency. Call that phone number several times. Call them from different phone numbers in case you feel that they are not answering your calls because they recognize your number. If they respond, DO NOT be rude or get angry at them. Even though you are angry, don't let it show. Your goal is to get your files back.

3. Contact your hosting company

Give your hosting company a call to see if the files are on your server. If they are, good for you. You can download the files and store them on your hard drive so that when you find a trusted developer, you can give it to them. If the files are not on your server, then more than likely, your developer was working on it from another server, or they removed it from your server.

4. Freelance website

If you hired them on a freelancing website like elance or odesk, then you have a better chance of getting your website back. Contact the freelancing website and let them know what happened. Most of them will do whatever they can to help you. Unfortunately, it's not always guaranteed that you will get your website back as the developer can take your files and your money, delete their account, create a new one under a different name. This is sad, but it is done one too many times.

5. Pray and keep hope alive

After you've done all you can to get in touch with them, at this point, you are at their mercy. Just pray and hope that you hear back from them. If all else fails, then you are left with only one thing to do... hire someone else.

6. Hire someone else

After all attempts fail, you have no choice but to start over. This is not an easy thing to do because you've already invested so much time and money in your other project. But as tough as it is, it's the last and necessary resort.

The Bottom Line

It's very unfortunate for those who's lost hundreds or even thousands of dollars like this. That's why it's very vital that you take the time to research your developers, especially offshore ones before hiring them.