How do I close down a large website?

[Dave C]

I think it is appropriate to forewarn your visitors with a message on the home page.If you wish to retain your domain registration for future use or to prevent someone else from taking it over if you abandon it then transfer the domain to a dirt-cheap registrar like Hostingdude,com and refer it to a page hosted free by your ISP or another free host that simply tells future visitors the site has been retired. IF that doesn't fit with your plans then just take it down and let the domain go.