Planning your digital legacy: Why it pays to act now

As a small business owner in Ireland, you've probably thought about securing your business's future – whether that's through a will, succession planning or financial safeguards.

But have you considered what happens to your digital assets after you pass away?

In our digital-first world, everything from your business's social media accounts to online banking and cloud storage forms part of your digital legacy.

Without proper planning, your loved ones could face serious challenges when trying to get access to these crucial assets.

The team at .ie has put together a comprehensive guide, Designing Your Digital Legacy: Plan for the Future Now, to help you understand and prepare for what happens to your online presence after you're gone.

Here's a summary of the key points – along with reasons why every Irish small business owner should download and act on this guide today.

What is a digital legacy?

A digital legacy includes all your online accounts, digital files and subscriptions that remain after your death.

This can range from personal and business email accounts to customer databases, social media, website domains, financial assets and more.

For business owners, your digital legacy might include:

• website domains and hosting services

• online banking and payment platforms like PayPal or Revolut

• social media accounts that drive customer engagement

• cloud storage containing important business documents

• loyalty programmes, vendor accounts and subscription-based services

If these digital assets are left unmanaged, they can create significant problems for your family or business partners.

Why planning your digital legacy is essential

Many people assume their family members will be able to access their accounts or data when they pass away. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case.

Without clear instructions and the right access details, your business's online presence could be lost, compromised or misused. Here are some of the key risks:

1. Losing control over your business assets

If no-one can access your website, email or financial accounts, your business could suffer immediate financial losses.

Monthly bills for services like website hosting, advertising or payroll systems may continue, draining resources without anyone being able to intervene.

2. Inaccessible social media accounts

Imagine your business's social media pages being locked indefinitely. Facebook and Instagram, for example, don't automatically give family members access after an account holder's death.

Without a legacy contact or prior arrangements, these accounts may remain frozen or be deleted.

3. Financial subscriptions keep running

Many businesses rely on automated payments for software subscriptions, domain renewals and customer databases.

If these aren't managed properly after your passing, the services could be cancelled – which will cause disruption for your staff and customers.

4. The risk of identity theft

Inactive online accounts are prime targets for hackers. Cyber criminals can use these accounts for fraudulent activities such as applying for loans, making purchases or even impersonating you online.

How to secure your digital legacy

Fortunately, there are proactive steps you can take today to protect your digital legacy and make sure your business and personal data are handled according to your wishes.

1. Make an inventory of your digital assets

Start by listing all your online accounts, including:

• email accounts

• social media profiles

• website domains and hosting providers

• online banking and payment platforms

• subscription services (like Netflix, Amazon or business software tools)

• cloud storage (such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive)

Store this information securely and let a trusted person know where you're keeping it. A password manager can also help make access simpler.

2. Assign a digital executor

Choose someone you trust to manage your digital assets after your death. This person should have access to key accounts and understand how to close, transfer or manage them appropriately.

3. Update (or create) your will

If you don't already have a will, now's the time to create one. Be sure to include instructions about your digital assets and explicitly grant permission for your executor to access them.

4. Use built-in legacy contact features

Many tech companies now offer ways to manage accounts after death:

• Facebook allows you to assign a legacy contact to manage your page.

• Google offers an Inactive Account Manager that lets you share account data with a trusted person.

• Apple lets users set up a legacy contact for their Apple ID and iCloud data.

5. Set clear instructions for business data

If you run a business, make sure your partners or employees have access to key digital accounts.

Decide what should happen to your website, customer records and financial accounts, and document these preferences in a clear and accessible format.

6. Secure your website and domain

Your domain name is one of your business's most valuable assets. Make sure someone can renew it and update content when necessary.

Losing access to your business's website could mean losing years of hard-earned credibility and customer trust.

Your digital legacy is part of your business's future

Just as you wouldn't leave your financial affairs unmanaged, your digital assets deserve the same level of planning.

A well-prepared digital legacy ensures:

• your business continues to operate smoothly

• your loved ones can access the financial accounts they need to

• your brand and reputation remain protected

• your data is secure and used according to your wishes

With so much of modern life stored online, planning your digital legacy is no longer optional – it's a necessary part of future-proofing your business and personal affairs.

Take action today! Download the full guide for a step-by-step roadmap to protecting your online presence. Your future – and your business's future – depends on it. 

Get the guide now

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