Craft CMS takeover and support for Birmingham businesses
Craft CMS developer for Birmingham businesses
I am a senior Craft CMS developer with 25 years of experience, helping Birmingham businesses with Craft sites they inherited. I take over, fix, upgrade and look after sites that other people built. Your site gets a look first, then a fixed price for the fix.
Or talk to me now07968 311978
- Is Craft CMS on a version that still gets security fixes?
- Are any plugins out of date or no longer supported?
- Are there signs of a hack or weak spots left open?
- Which pages are slow, and why?
- Is there a backup that works?
- Is the hosting right for the site?
- Do form messages reach the right person?
- Can the code be fixed, or does part of it need redoing?
25 years building and fixing websitesOne person, so you always talk to me.
Taking over a Craft CMS site from a previous developer
Craft CMS sites change hands for many reasons. The agency that built it has closed. Or the developer left. Sometimes the old supplier just stopped replying. What you have is a Craft site that runs the business, and code nobody fully understands.
I take over Craft sites all the time. The first step is always a full look at the site. Before changing anything, I write down what exists, how it goes live and where the biggest risks are. That first look keeps the takeover safe.
What a Craft CMS takeover looks like
- A look at the code Read the code, learn how the content is set up and write it all down before making any changes.
- Notes on going live Map how the site goes live, the hosting and the settings. Takeovers stall when nobody knows how to release a change safely.
- Craft version upgrade If the site is on a Craft version that no longer gets security fixes, plan the upgrade and test it on a copy first.
- Plugin check Find plugins that are out of date, no longer supported or clashing. Replace or update them before they break the site.
- Speed fixes Most inherited sites have built up slow database calls and gaps in caching. These are worth fixing early, before they become emergencies.
- Ongoing maintenance Once the site is stable and written down, monthly care covers updates, security fixes and changes as the business grows.
Most Craft sites do not need rebuilding
After a hard handover, the urge is to start again. That is rarely the right call. Rebuilds cost a lot, take longer than planned and often bring a new set of problems.
Most inherited Craft sites can be made stable and better a step at a time. The first look usually shows a short list of clear problems. Fix those and the site runs well.
I help Birmingham businesses that need their site stable without the upheaval of a rebuild. Small, steady fixes, with notes kept as we go.
Case study
An estate agent's Craft site, extended instead of rebuilt
Monkey vs Owl had a Craft site built only for rentals. The business was moving into property sales. The existing site was given a new look and extended to list sales next to rentals, all without a rebuild. It took four weeks.
Read the case studyOur previous developer disappeared and left us with a site we could not update safely. Billy came in, audited everything, and now we have confidence in our website for the first time in years. Monthly maintenance actually works.
How it works
- 1
Describe the problem
Tell me your site address and what is wrong. A few lines is enough.
- 2
I take a look
You get a short note on what I found and what the fix costs.
- 3
I fix it, then look after it
Once it is fixed, I can keep it updated and safe each month.
Common questions about Craft CMS takeovers
What is involved in a Craft CMS takeover?
It starts with a full look at the code, the content setup, the hosting and how the site goes live. I write down what I find, so you have a clear picture before any work begins. Then we agree a list of fixes in order of need and work through it.
How long before you understand the code?
For a typical Craft site, the first look takes one to two days. Bigger or more complex sites take longer. You get a written note that explains the site clearly. So every later change is based on facts, not guesses.
Can you upgrade an old version of Craft?
Yes. The route depends on your Craft version, your plugins and your template code. Each step is tested on a copy of the site first, and clashes get fixed before anything goes live. Craft 3 lost security fixes in April 2024 and Craft 4 in April 2026.
Is it worth keeping Craft or moving to another platform?
That depends on the site and the team. Craft is a good long-term home for structured content and busy editorial sites. If a site truly cannot be saved, moving may be right, and I will tell you so. Most of the time, keeping and fixing the Craft site costs less and causes less upheaval.
Where else I work
I work as a Craft CMS developer across the UK, from Leicester. I also work with Craft CMS clients in London, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol. For monthly care, see Craft CMS support and maintenance. Still weighing up platforms? Read my Craft CMS vs WordPress comparison.
Inherited a Craft CMS site in Birmingham?
Tell me what you have and what is wrong. Every message comes straight to me.
Prefer the phone or email?07968 311978[email protected]