Navigating the Digital Legacy: Taking Over a Company’s Website After a Loss

Recently, I found myself in an unexpected situation. After the passing of my boss, I inherited a small business, complete with its own website. While I’m honored to take on this new responsibility, I’m facing a significant challenge: accessing the company’s online presence.

The website, a vital asset for any small business, feels like an enigma to me. I do have some login credentials and a few leads to get started, but my understanding of technology is limited. The first step, I believe, is identifying which platform the website runs on.

I’ve tried using various online tools that can determine the content management system (CMS) in use, but so far, I’ve hit a wall. The design of the website is quite dated and visually unappealing, which leads me to suspect it wasn’t built on popular platforms like WordPress or Wix. It seems more like a personal project crafted from scratch using HTML skills.

My background does give me some familiarity with HTML, yet I find myself at a loss when it comes to accessing the editing platform. For instance, logging into a site like Wix is straightforward, but I’m unsure where to apply my boss’s login details to make changes to this particular website.

If you’re also in a position where you’ve inherited a website with little guidance, here are some steps you might consider taking:

Identify the Hosting Provider: Try to find out where the website is hosted. You can use tools like WHOIS lookup services, which may provide insight into the hosting provider and possibly contact information for support.
Access the Control Panel: Once you identify the hosting service, look for a control panel (like cPanel, Plesk, etc.) where you can enter the credentials. This may require some trial and error, especially if the passwords you have are not clearly labeled.
Explore the Site’s Code: If you’re able to access the files, look for an index.html or similar file that might contain the main site code. This will allow you to make changes directly as needed.
Seek Professional Help: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there’s no shame in hiring a web developer or a tech-savvy friend to assist in the initial stages. They can help bridge the gap between you and the technical aspects of the site.
Consider a Revamp: Once you gain access, it might be worth contemplating a complete redesign