FIXES & RESCUE
Can someone fix my website instead of rebuilding it?
Often, a repair is the sensible first option. The important question is whether the existing site can reliably do the job you need, with a change that can be looked after.
Start with what has gone wrong.
“The site is old” and “the enquiry form stopped sending on Tuesday” are different briefs. Write down the exact symptom, which pages or users it affects, when it started and what changed recently.
Screenshots and error messages help, but remove private customer details. Don’t send passwords through an enquiry form. Access can be arranged separately.
A targeted fix is worth considering when…
The rest of the site still serves the business, you have legitimate access to maintain it, and the issue can be isolated. A broken form, a layout problem or one incorrect configuration may not justify replacing everything.
- You can explain what should happen and test that it does.
- The website software and the tools it relies on can still be kept up to date.
- A backup and a safe way to test the change are available.
A rebuild may be justified when…
The business needs a different structure, essential software can no longer be maintained, or repeated repairs cost more than a realistic replacement. Lack of access can also change what is possible, but it is worth investigating ownership and recovery before assuming everything is lost.
Ask what will be preserved: content, useful page addresses, images, customer records and connected services. A rebuild is a migration project as well as a design project.
What a diagnosis should leave you with.
You should understand the cause or the remaining uncertainty, the options, the risks, and how success will be checked. If investigation is chargeable, agree what will be checked, what you will receive and the cost before it starts.
A fixed-price repair needs a clearly defined problem. It should not quietly turn into unlimited investigation, and you should not be charged for additional work without agreeing it.