What to do when your website is down: A fast-action checklist for small businesses

Your website is down—and you’re in panic mode. Maybe a customer messaged you. Maybe your checkout stopped working. Or maybe your site just... disappeared.

First: take a breath. Then use this fast-action checklist to take control, minimize downtime, and protect your business.

Step 1: Confirm the issue

Before assuming the worst, check if it’s really down for everyone.

• Use tools like DownForEveryoneOrJustMe.com or Uptime Robot
• Try a different device or browser
• Restart your modem or router

Step 2: Identify the problem category

Knowing what’s broken helps you fix it faster (or call in the right help):

• Full site outage (server down, domain error)
• Broken layout or missing content
• Checkout or form failures
• Login or admin lockout
• Suspicious redirects or pop-ups

Step 3: Contact your web host or domain provider

If it’s a hosting, server, or DNS issue, your provider may already know and be working on it. Check their status page or support channels.

Pro tip: Keep your hosting login and domain credentials saved somewhere secure for quick access.

Step 4: Disable risky plugins or themes (WordPress only)

If your WordPress site is down after a recent update:

• Access your file manager (via hosting cPanel or FTP)
• Rename the plugin or theme folder to disable it
• Check if your site comes back online

Step 5: Scan for malware or spam traffic

If your site is redirecting, flagged by Google, or getting weird traffic spikes:

• Run a malware scan (Sucuri, Wordfence, or SiteLock)
• Look at your traffic sources in Google Analytics
• Get help from a professional if you see suspicious activity

Step 6: Communicate with customers

If your site being down affects orders, bookings, or client access, post updates:

• Add a quick status update to social media
• Send an email to active customers
• Offer a manual way to reach you (DMs, phone, or email)

Step 7: Call for expert help if you’re stuck

If you can’t pinpoint or resolve the issue quickly, reach out to a website emergency repair team. You’ll save time, stress, and potential revenue loss.

Bottom line: Speed and clarity matter

A website crash doesn’t have to derail your business. When you act fast and call in the right support, you can bounce back quickly.

Need urgent help? Book a free emergency consultation. We’ll diagnose the issue, fix it fast, and help you prevent future downtime—so you can get back to business.