Website Ownership: Questions to Ask Before You Hire
A website can look finished while the business has little control over the accounts and assets required to maintain it. Clarify ownership before work starts, not after a relationship changes.
Who controls the domain?
The domain name should be registered to an account the business can access. Ask who owns the registrar account, which email controls it, and whether recovery details are current.
Who controls hosting and deployment?
Know where the site is hosted, who can change billing details, and who can access deployment settings. A provider may manage hosting, but the business should understand how to retain access or move it.
What happens to source code and content?
Ask whether custom code, copy, images, and design files are included in the handoff. The answer may depend on the agreement, so get it in writing rather than relying on assumptions.
Which third-party accounts are involved?
Forms, analytics, email, booking, maps, payment tools, and fonts can all depend on separate accounts. Keep a simple inventory of each account, its owner, and its purpose.
What does ongoing support include?
Clarify response expectations, maintenance scope, recurring costs, security updates, and what happens if support ends. A good handoff makes the next decision easier, even when the relationship continues.