The server your website is hosted on will be shut down on the 31 Jan 2025.
We require all site holders to tell us what they want to do with their website hosting.
You have 3 options as to how you wish to proceed…
More details on these options can be found below.
The deadline for making a selection is 20 Dec 2024 to allow time for your chosen option to be processed and implemented. If you do not inform us of your decision by this date your website maybe taken offline.
We have tried to include as much information as possible below and also have an FAQ section that we hope will answer any questions. Please do feel free to contact us if needed.
Once we have received your decision an email confirming your selection will be sent to the email address we have on file for you and include next steps to complete your chosen option.
Why are you doing this?
The server your site is hosted on will soon be out of date and no longer receiving security updates. We have extended this server for as long as possible but we are now unable to continue to maintain this server. The new server is much more modern and actually allows your site to do more things as well as being a lot faster.
Why is the hosting price increasing?
In the majority of cases, Dogsbody Technology hosting prices have not changed in 5 years. During that 5 years inflation rates reached a 41 year high.
All our running costs have increased and the hosting price increase is in line with inflation over the last 5 years.
The price is still highly discounted for existing customers as you will see prom our public website.
Can my website stay hosted on the old server?
Put simply, no. Your current hosting server is due to be decommissioned on 31 Jan 2025.
Why do I have to sign a new 12 month contract?
Building a new server and website migrations takes our time. Instead of charging a migration fee we ask customers for a 12 month commitment to cover the cost of this.
What happens if I need to leave within the 12 month contract?
You are welcome to leave within your 12 month contract however the remainder of your 12 month contract will need to be paid.
I.e you wish to leave after 9 months of the migration you will need to pay the remaining 3 months of your contract before leaving.
What happens after my 12 month contract has ended?
Once your 12 month contract ends your contract changes to a rolling 30 day contract requiring only 30 days written notice to leave.
What if I don’t want to be migrated to a new server?
Whilst we would be sorry to see you leave, you are obviously welcome to migrate your website hosting to another provider or shut your site down.
Please see leave and delete sections above.
I no longer need my website but want to keep my domain name - what do I do?
Select the Delete option. You can then email us on your pricing email to advise us you wish to keep your domain. You will have to move your domain to a new provider/registrar. We will send further instructions to action this.
What happens if I do not select from the 3 options given?
If you do not make a selection by 20 December 2024 your website maybe taken offline.
If we do not hear from you by the 31 Jan 2025 your website and domain (if applicable) will be deleted and non-recoverable. You will be chased for a response extensively before the 31 Jan 2025.
My Website shows a PHP warning - will that warning go once I migrate to the new server?
The new server will allow for higher versions of PHP however the PHP warning will only disappear if your website is compatible with newer versions of PHP.
If it is not and you wish to make your website compatible then we can recommend a website developer who will upgrade your website for their own fee once the migration is complete.
Can you recommend another hosting provider?
Unfortunately we are unable to recommend another hosting provider as we have never used anyone for hosting but ourselves.
If I leave, what do I need to ask for from a hosting provider?
You need someone who can host a WordPress site potentially on a lower version of PHP (PHP version 7.2). You will also need them or another provider to be the registrar for domain names and provide DNS for those domain names.