They did not calculate with the stupidity of some people. I don't blame them. There are just too many mind blowing ways of stupidity to be able to account for all of them. Also it's not their fault other people decide to ground a plane for no reason.

A lot of non-software businesses probably outsource their websites to some bottom barrel consultant in LCOL countries.

That, or they're such a small business that they never expected one of their random products to be HN hugged to death.

It probably worked fine until today, and will be back to working fine in a few days.

Companies that focus on product and not “investor value” through nice looking working websites

The kind of company that normally is well within the free tier for years until their product is unexpectedly part of a news cycle.

In all likelihood the site being down right now is actually a PR win.

Reddit got there first.

I prefer the term "hugged to death" which I only ever have seen used on HN.

I'm assuming that's where the name comes from