How to get out of a bad relationship (with a website company)

Let’s face it. Most people get into a relationship expecting the best. A nice dinner with engaging conversation. Long walks on a sandy beach. A website that launches on time and drives lots of business. But some time in, things are not quite what you expected. You’re disappointed, and looking at options.
If you’re looking to get out of a bad relationship with a web company, here are a few tips for getting out unscathed.

The Ideal Situation

Either the relationship is amicable but you just need to move on, or the company is ethical and will comply with your requests. Here’s what you need in order to move your website elsewhere most efficiently:

1. Access to your hosting account Control Panel. If your site is built on WordPress, this most likely will be called cPanel. If it’s not, or if the company is not able to grant access to the Control Panel, then they should be able to provide you with either
   1. access to FTP and the database, or
   2. a copy of the website files and database
2. Access to your domain registrar. You should already have this, but you’ll definitely need access in order to update DNS after the website is migrated.
3. Admin Login to the website. Again, you should have this already, but having this login information can with the transition.

With this information, your next web company can gain access and migrate the website to a different server without downtime and without losing data.

The Not-So-Ideal Situation

If things have gotten heated, there’s bad blood, someone has said some things they regret, or if you suspect that asking for increased levels of access will alarm your web company — it’s ok. Here’s how to get the access you need in order to move on without arousing suspicion that you may be leaving.

1. Check whether you have proper access. Login to the admin area of your website and try to add a plugin. It can be any plugin, but if you’d like a suggestion, try this one:
   Popup Maker. The nature of this plugin would suggest to your current web company that you’re looking to get more from the website, not that you’d like to be gone tomorrow. After you’ve installed and activated the plugin, access its Settings page, just to confirm. If you were able to add the plugin without issue, you’re golden.
2. If you don’t have proper access, ask for it. You’re just trying to add a plugin. You paid for the website, and it’s your prerogative to manage it, edit, heck, break it if you want. And if you break it, you’ll pay them to fix it. Whatever it takes to get the access you deserve. But don’t worry, this won’t break it, and you won’t have to give the greedy bastards one more cent. After you’ve been granted access, repeat step 1 to confirm.
3. Access to your domain registrar. Again, a reputable company will ensure that you have access to your domain. If you don’t, all is not lost, but it does take more effort to get control back into your hands. You’ll need to address the ownership issue with the domain registrar, typically with the help of some company letterhead and business registration documents.

If it’s really bad

Call in some help. We help customers get control over their websites in some of the most dire circumstance, being held hostage, or whatever.
A little perspective: At the end of the day, your web company, jerk or not, is just trying to make it another day and keep the lights on. If you’re not happy, they’re not happy, and they will likely not be happy until you’re supported by another web company. But know that there are ways to rescue a website and move it to a company you’ll be happy with.