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help! my ISP disappeared with my website

You've spent the time putting together your website and it's finally up and running. You optimized it so that it ranks in the top 20 on all the search engines. Your newsletter sign-up is bringing in 30 emails a day. You've finally started generating 1000 hits an hour and things are running smoothly.

Then it happens. You start up your browser and instead of your home page, you get a message that the "Site Cannot Be Found". Your email isn't working. It's happened - your ISP went belly-up and left you stranded.

What Do You Do Now?

If you've had a good working relationship with your ISP, you may have had some notice that this was going to happen and protected yourself. You may have even had time to get another ISP lined up to switch your files over to.

Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way. For those times when there is no obvious warning, here are a couple things you can do on your side to be prepared:

Top 4 Things To Do To Minimize The Damage

Check Out Your ISP
Get information about your ISP from the internet. Watch for consumer alerts from your local Better Business Bureau website. Consumer complaints and warnings are posted on sites such as Slashdot and DSL Reports, both of which are forums for ISP customers.
Have an Alternate Email
When your ISP disappears, so will your email address. Today, there are many free web-based email providers such as Yahoo and Hotmail. Web-based email is easy to use, often has spam filters integrated, and has the added feature of being accessible from anywhere there is a computer and internet connection. Many individuals today maintain a Hotmail account for online newsletter signup, checking email while on business or vacation, and job applications.
Always Have a Backup
When your ISP disappears, your files will be gone with them - both your site and your email. Make sure to back up your website files on a regular basis. This includes your main file and all databases so that you don't lose your subscribers. If you are using web-based email, download the messages to Outlook to get them off the ISP's server, or back them up occasionally. Emails kept on the main server will disappear when the ISP is gone.
Set Up a Temporary Lo-Cost Site
When your ISP goes down, it will take a couple of days to a week to find set up a new hosting company, change your DNS entries, set up your new email, and upload and test your site to the new host. In the meantime, you need to have your site up and running in order to keep your presence on the web and ensure your clients that you are still in business. There are many companies that still offer almost-free websites that you can set up quickly. One company is DotNow, which will provide you with a site for a $19.95 set up fee. You get unlimited net access, email, and 20Mb of storage space. You may have to put up with ads and long login times, but at least you will be online right away.

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