WOW! I thought I was prepared for about anything that may happen to my websites, but was I mistaken!
As I recently told my newsletter subscribers, my former web host dropped off the face of the earth with absolutely no warning, taking my websites and files with them. I have been religiously been backing up my databases but neglected to include my files. The files I am talking about are the ones that dictate what my websites look like and how they perform as well as PDFs and goodies I give to my members on another website I own, and no, I neglected to save copies of those PDFs because I figured my web server had much more space than my personal computer. DUH!
After a hectic week talking to a salesperson about my needs, buying hosting for 5 of the 9 websites for almost $400, setting up my websites, contacting tech support numerous times, and finding out they would not help me import my databases into the new websites because “it was not their file” I was about ready to explode! Needless to say, I will never host with Godaddy again! Oh, did I mention I was just finalizing my taxes using the data from the Mistkits store? No? Well, it is a bit difficult when you can’t access the data and extremely nerve wracking when the deadline is fast approaching!
I ended up going with Bluehost and so far I am quite pleased. The technician helped me get my blog up and running but was unable to get the old Mistkits store database to act correctly. To access my sales data I had to create a “hidden” store no-one can access. I also ended up creating (ANOTHER!) brand new Mistkits store and will be tweaking it in the weeks to come for my customers to be able to shop. Unfortunately existing customers will have to create a new account…as I said, frustrating!
One thing that will be keeping me busy is that I need to check EVERY link on EVERY page of this blog to be sure they work. Also, every email that gets sent when someone signs up for my newsletters will need to be checked. I am sure there are a million other places to check like all the PDFs I have written and given away and am also sure it will take me months to sort it all out. OH, that is just for the Mistkits website, I have 9 others to go over!
So, take it from me…prepare NOW for things that may go wrong with your websites, computers, etc. Be sure you have current backups and know how to actually use them. There is nothing more frustrating than thinking you have everything you need to restore something just to find out it won’t actually work!
Wish me luck, and if you find a broken link I would be extremely grateful if you let me know. At this time I haven’t even checked to see if my contact forms work, so please contact me at: mistkits (at) gmail.com to let me know if you find something.
Thanks for your patience and support.
Dwayne
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Hey Dwayne, Sorry to hear about all the trouble you had with the server, it sure sounds like it put you in a bind. Hope you get everything recovered, and this mess turns out for the better for you. I’ll give you a personal holler on the BYG page, or be watching to see how you can save some of us other poor souls from the same fate with a more detailed fix, or at least preplan. A loyal customer, John Woodward, The Victorian Plant Emporium, Sebring, Florida.