The Founder's Resource
The Status Page
Handbook.
Guides for founders navigating shutdowns, maintenance, pauses, and everything in between — with honesty, care, and respect.
Should You Open Source Your Product Before Shutting Down?
The case for and against releasing your code when you close — what it actually takes, what you gain, and when it's worth it.
How to Put a Shutdown Page on Your Domain Without a Server
Step-by-step: point your domain to a static shutdown page using DNS redirects, Cloudflare Pages, or ExitPage — no server required.
What to Do After You Shut Down Your Product
The practical and emotional aftermath of closing something you built — from reference calls to personal recovery to what comes next.
How to Shut Down a Mobile App Properly
App Store removal, push notification opt-outs, in-app purchase refunds, and what happens to your users' data when you pull a mobile app.
Why Your Maintenance Page Matters More Than You Think
The difference between a 503 error and a branded maintenance page is the difference between losing trust and building it. Here's how to get it right.
The SEO Implications of Shutting Down Your Website
What happens to your domain's authority, backlinks, and Google rankings when you close a product — and what you can do about it.
How to Put Your SaaS on Pause Without Losing Users
Burnout, funding gaps, pivots — sometimes the smartest move is to pause. Here's how to freeze your product without losing the users you fought so hard to get.
The Best Product Status Pages of 2025
A curated look at the most well-designed shutdown, maintenance, and end-of-life pages from real companies. What works, what doesn't, and what you can steal.
The 404 Page Is Not a Status Page
When your product goes offline, a 404 error tells users nothing. Here's why a deliberate status page protects your SEO, your reputation, and your users.
Shutting Down a Game: What Developers Owe Their Players
Server shutdowns, save data, microtransactions — what you should do when pulling the plug on a game, and how to handle the community.
How to Handle Refunds When Shutting Down Your Product
A clear guide to managing refunds, chargebacks, and payment processors when you're winding down — so you don't get surprised months later.
How to Close an Online Shop the Right Way
A practical guide for shop owners shutting down: handle orders, refunds, customer communication, and domain redirects without leaving a mess.
How to Shut Down Your SaaS the Right Way
A step-by-step guide for founders on how to close a SaaS product gracefully — protecting your reputation, your users, and your peace of mind.
How to Write a Startup Shutdown Announcement Email (With Templates)
The shutdown email is the hardest email you'll ever write. Here's how to do it right — with real templates you can adapt.
What Happens to Your Users When You Shut Down Your Startup?
From data deletion to broken workflows, understand what your users actually experience when a product they depend on disappears — and how to minimize the damage.
Domain Expiration After Startup Shutdown: What You Need to Know
What actually happens to your domain when you shut down? How long to keep it, when to let it go, and how to protect your users in the meantime.
How to Redirect Your Domain After Shutting Down Your Product
A technical guide to setting up domain redirects when closing a startup — from DNS CNAME records to server-side redirects and static hosting options.
Data Retention and Deletion: How to Shut Down Responsibly
Your legal and ethical obligations around user data when shutting down a startup — GDPR, CCPA, and practical steps for handling data at end-of-life.
Famous Startup Shutdowns: What They Did Right (and Wrong)
An honest look at how well-known startups handled their shutdowns — from the graceful goodbyes to the silent disappearances.
The Founder's Guide to a Graceful Shutdown
The psychology, logistics, and communication strategies for closing a startup in a way you'll be proud of — from someone who's thought deeply about endings.
Customer Communication When Closing Your Startup
How to communicate a shutdown across all your channels — email, social media, in-app notifications, and your website — without leaving anyone behind.
The Complete Startup Shutdown Checklist
Everything you need to do when shutting down a startup — financial, legal, technical, and communication tasks organized by timeline.