How can I find out when my website was first launched?
by Guest Geek on October 7, 2009Q: How can I find out when my website was FIRST launched? I know when the domain/service etc was bought. Original web designer is dead and all records lost. Archive.org is of no help. Can I find out when the website was “first viewable” by the public? Website is www.diamondaranchtexas.com. It has been re-designed since original in June of 2006. Domain and service was bought on 6-13-2006. That is not “proof” of when it was first put up so I am told. Yahoo says they have no record other than the purchase date.
Tags: domain names
The fact that someone told you the date the domain was created is not the date the site launched is some what silly. Most people consider the date the domain is created as the launch date.
However, since some said that is not true then the fact that you had a web designer create the site means you should have the receipts for paying the person. So since it was only 3 years ago it should be pretty easy to find that receipt either on your credit card or in your email.
If that does not work then I would look at the statistics on the website. Most hosts provide detailed statistics of how many page views a site gets and it should date back to when the site was launched. This might be an issue if you have moved from host to host.
I am intrigued as to why it really matters though.
matt says: on October 7, 2009 at 11:52 am
A little clarification….
there are no receipts as the original web designer worked out a “trade” with us for building the site. I cannot get any of his records as he is gone.
The website has been moved to another host and looks completely different from the original site.
We have the receipts etc etc showing when the domain, hosting plan etc etc etc were bought from yahoo.
Who told us that is not proof of when the site was first viewable, ie launched?? A federal judge says so. I have domains “bought” but not “published” on the net.
There is a screen shot of the site from August of 2006 and again in March of 07 on archive.org. But I have no idea how to look at the stats.
It matters because of a very serious pending legal issue.
drydoc says: on October 7, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Unfortunately this shows how important it is to make sure everyone keeps statistics when they move from host to host. I would have to think there might be an email from the designer saying “hey the site is ready” but I guess the chances are that if you didn’t keep the stats when moving from host to host you might not have kept the email either.
Since this is a legal issue my opinion really does not matter but it seems like a screen shot from August 2006, just a month and a half after the domain was bought, should prove that you were very quick about putting your site up.
The only other thing you can do is look at forums you have joined. I found http://huntingnet.com/forum/hogs-exotics/147602-black-buck-hunt.html#post1561924 and I can see you posted about the site on July 16th 2006. The site says you joined July 16th 2006 http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/members/diamondaranch.html so I think it could be expected that your site was live at that point in time because the purpose of joining the forum would have been to promote your site.
It is possible you are a member of other forums too and that might help.
matt says: on October 7, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Matt, thank you very much for the info. My apologies for not being specific enough.
I have all of that information and the bottom line is I need to find a record showing that the site was up, launched, viewable, whatever……….earlier than June 30 2006.
I have been unable to do so.
Thank you again for your replies.
drydoc says: on October 7, 2009 at 12:34 pm