Website Ownership & Handover
Know what to confirm about domains, website files, editing access, hosting, licenses and support before a project begins.
Before paying for a website, confirm in writing who controls the domain, hosting, content, files and administrator access. Identify any third-party licenses or subscriptions and what happens if you change provider. The handover should match the written agreement.
Keep the domain in a business-controlled account
The domain name is the address customers use. Know which account holds it, who can renew it and who has administrative access. Ask the provider to explain how DNS and email are managed so a website change does not accidentally disrupt other services.
Separate your content from licensed material
Your business may provide its own logo, copy and photos. Stock images, fonts, themes, plugins and hosted services can have different license terms. Ask which deliverables transfer to you and which subscriptions must stay active for the site to operate as agreed.
Request a practical handover
Check that your team receives the promised editing or administrator access, agreed files, domain and hosting details, form routing, analytics access and basic instructions. Test that enquiries arrive correctly. Document who handles security, updates and backups after launch.
Make optional care a choice
Ongoing maintenance can be valuable, especially for a platform with frequent updates. The fee, response scope and cancellation terms should be clear. Ask whether the website can continue to run if you choose another support provider.