Every trade business owner has a version of this story: "We hired someone to build our website, and now we can't get them to respond." Here are the top five reasons web developers ghost their clients—and how to avoid it happening to you.
1. They Were a Freelancer, Not a Business
Most "web guys" are solo freelancers juggling multiple projects. When they get busy with bigger clients or full-time work, your small maintenance requests fall to the bottom of the list. Eventually, they stop responding entirely.
2. They Built It, But Don't Want to Maintain It
Many developers love building websites but hate ongoing support. The margins are thin, requests are unpredictable, and it's not creative work. Once your site is live, they move on to the next build.
3. They Charged Too Little and Can't Afford to Help
Low-cost website builders undercharge upfront to win business, then realize they can't afford to provide ongoing support at those rates. Rather than raise prices or communicate clearly, they simply disappear.
4. Life Happens (But They Had No Backup Plan)
Freelancers get sick, change careers, move, or burn out. Unlike businesses with teams, when a solo freelancer exits, their clients are stranded with no handoff or continuity plan.
5. Poor Communication Was Always the Issue
Sometimes the red flags were there from the start: slow responses, unclear timelines, or missing documentation. These issues only get worse over time.
How to Prevent the Disappearing Act
Instead of hiring individuals, work with established maintenance service providers that:
- Have clear service level agreements
- Offer guaranteed response times
- Maintain documented processes
- Provide team-based support (not one person)
- Include backups and emergency recovery
TradeSiteGenie's Genie Maintenance was built specifically for trade businesses tired of chasing down freelancers. With defined service tiers, rollover support hours, and a 24-hour restore guarantee, you'll never lose your web guy again.
The Bottom Line
The "disappearing web developer" problem isn't about bad people—it's about unsustainable business models and solo operations. Choosing a structured maintenance service protects your investment and ensures someone always answers when you need help.
