After My Boss Passed Away and Left Me His Small Business, I’m Unsure How to Access the Backend of the Company Website — Where Should I Start?

Navigating Your New Responsibility: Accessing Your Boss’s Company Website

Taking the reins of a company after the sudden passing of your boss is undoubtedly a daunting task, especially when it comes to managing the company’s online presence. If you’ve recently inherited a small business and find yourself facing the challenge of accessing the company’s website, you’re not alone. Here’s a guide to help you navigate this unfamiliar territory.

Understanding the Platform

The first step in managing the website is to determine which platform it is built on. While you may have some login credentials, the lack of technological expertise can make this process feel overwhelming. Often, identifying the content management system (CMS) used can provide clarity on how to access and edit the site.

You’ve already attempted using tools to trace the CMS, but had no success. In cases where a website appears outdated or poorly designed, it might be the result of custom HTML coding rather than a user-friendly platform like WordPress or Wix.

Gaining Access to the Backend

If you suspect that your boss created the website from scratch using HTML, you will need to locate the hosting platform and the backend access. Unlike platforms such as Wix, where access is straightforward, dealing with custom-built sites can be a bit trickier.

Identify the Hosting Provider: Check if you possess any billing information, emails, or documentation related to the website’s hosting. This may indicate which hosting service was used (like GoDaddy, Bluehost, etc.).
Accessing the Account: Once you have identified the hosting provider, visit their website and use the credentials you possess to log in. This typically requires your boss’s username and password. If you don’t know the password, look for an option to reset it using the registered email address.
Finding the Files: After you log in to the hosting account, you will often have access to a control panel (cPanel or similar). From here, you can locate the website files, which are usually stored in the “public_html” or “www” directory.
Editing HTML Files: Since you’re familiar with HTML, navigating these files to make necessary updates won’t be too challenging. Most control panels offer a built-in file manager where you can edit the HTML directly. Make sure to back up the files before making significant changes to avoid loss of data.