Can you take over a website someone else built?
Yes. At Lyons Web Solutions in Howard County, Maryland, we take over WordPress sites built by other developers and agencies, move them onto our managed hosting, and maintain them from then on. If a site cannot be moved, we rebuild it on WordPress and move the domain and email across to the new site.
My web developer stopped responding. Where do I start?
Call or text us with your website address. We start by finding out what exists: where the site is hosted, who holds the domain name and the email, and which of those accounts you can still sign in to. Before anything moves, we take copies of the site and help you export your email while you still have access.
Can you help if my site is down or hacked?
Yes. We start by getting it working again: finding what broke, removing any malware, and restoring from a backup if one can still be reached. Then it moves onto our managed hosting, where it has daily off-site backups, a firewall, and malware scanning from then on.
Can you move my business email too?
Yes. Email migration is part of the takeover: we move business email out of the old developer’s account into mailboxes we host, Google Workspace, or Microsoft 365, and configure the deliverability records on your domain. Each move is planned around how you use email: how many mailboxes, whether you rely on the calendar, and how much old mail you need to keep.
For a Maryland tax accountant, that was 10,436 emails, 1,585 contacts, and 1,715 calendar appointments moved from Google Workspace into Microsoft 365. Read the case study.
Who owns my domain name?
Whoever is listed as the registrant, which is not always the person who paid for it. We check that first. If the domain is registered in your name, it is yours to move, and we handle the transfer, including unlocking it and the authorization code. After the move it is registered to us by default, so renewals never depend on an old inbox or an expired card. If you would rather it be registered in your own name, ask. Either way you can see it in your client dashboard, and if you leave, we release it to you.
Will the website still be mine?
Yes. Your text, images, and files stay yours. Before you leave, you can download a complete backup of the site, and we release the domain to you. The premium theme and plugin licenses we provide stay with us.
What if my developer won’t hand anything over?
Much of a takeover does not need them. A domain registered in your name can usually be moved without their help, and a website can be rebuilt. Email held in an account they control is harder, and we will tell you plainly what can be recovered.
What if we cannot get into the site, or it is not on WordPress?
Then we rebuild it. A site locked in an account you cannot reach, or built on Wix, Squarespace, or a hosting company’s site builder, cannot be moved as it is. We build a new WordPress site from your existing text and images, and move the domain and email across to it.
Will my website go down during the move?
No downtime is planned. If the site is online, it stays online while we build and test a copy on our hosting, and nothing changes for your visitors until you approve the switch. If anything looks wrong afterward, we can switch back.
Can you manage my website after the takeover?
Yes. We stay on to manage and support it. The site runs on our managed hosting and is maintained by us: updates applied and checked, daily off-site backups, firewall and malware scanning, and a direct reply when you call or text. You deal with one point of contact who already knows your site.
Are you local?
Yes. Lyons Web Solutions is based in Highland, in Howard County, Maryland, and works with businesses across Maryland and throughout the US. Most of the work happens by phone, text, and email, and you can ask to meet.
How much does it cost to take over my website?
It depends on what exists and what can still be reached, so we quote each takeover after looking. Send us the website address and what you know about where the domain and email are. The first conversation is free, and the quote comes back itemized, with a figure attached.
