Who Really Owns Your Website?

Hi reader,

You don’t usually think about moving your website until you have to.

Things may be fine now, but at some point, you’ll likely want to switch providers, upgrade your platform, or take more control of how your site runs. That means transferring your website – your domain, files, hosting, and everything else – to a new setup.

So today, we’re breaking down what to check before you ever need to make a move.

Today’s advice

Get clear on who owns each part of your website.

It’s easy to assume your website is “yours.” But unless you’ve intentionally set things up that way, you might not have full control.

Here are a few common scenarios that I see:

• You built your site on Wix or Squarespace, and your domain/ hosting is managed separately through a company like GoDaddy.

• You hired someone years ago to set up your site, and you’re not sure where things are hosted or who has access.

• You’re paying a monthly fee for “maintenance,” but you don’t know what that includes, or whether you can access your accounts if needed.

Even if your website is running smoothly today, it’s worth understanding how it’s all set up and what would be involved if you ever needed to move it.

Do you have access to your accounts? Is everything under your name or business? Could you switch platforms or providers without losing anything important?

To be clear, the goal isn’t to manage all the technical pieces yourself. But you do need to know how things are structured, and whether you’d be able to make a clean transition if the time comes.

That’s why it’s important to work with a provider who handles the technical side and keeps things transparent – someone who gives you access, answers your questions, and looks out for your long-term interest.

Unfortunately, not everyone does. So it’s worth staying informed so you’re not caught off guard later.

Why this matters

You can make changes without losing control.

Clear ownership gives you the freedom to make decisions without getting stuck. If you ever want to change who you’re working with or switch platforms, you’ll have the access you need to take action quickly. You don’t have to rely on someone else to hand things over, and you won’t risk losing access to critical parts of your business.

This kind of flexibility gives you options. It lets you grow and evolve without the stress of starting from scratch or waiting on a third party to cooperate.

You avoid unnecessary downtime, costs, or surprises.

A lot can go wrong when you don’t have a clear view of how your website is set up. Domains can expire without warning. Hosting plans can renew with unexpected charges. Logins can get lost. And if something breaks (like a contact form or plugin), you might not know who to call or how to fix it.

I’ve seen business owners lose entire websites because no one had access to the original files. Or get locked out of their domain because it was registered under an old employee’s name, etc.

These things cost more to fix after the fact than they would have to prevent.

Having a clear, documented setup puts you in a stronger position.

Here’s how to start

Take some time to dig into how your website is set up.

This doesn’t need to be complicated – you’re just looking to understand what’s in place and who controls what.

If you’re working with a provider who manages your site, review your original agreement or service plan. Look for answers to questions like:

• Who owns the domain?

• What happens if I ever want to move my site?

• Do I have admin-level access, or can I get it if needed?

If you built the site yourself or are using a DIY platform, double-check that your domain, hosting, and platform logins are stored somewhere secure and tied to an email you control. Make sure no critical piece is floating out there under someone else’s account.

I know this technical stuff can feel overwhelming, but the goal is just to make sure you’re informed and in control.

If you have questions or need help figuring out your setup, just let me know. 

Best,

Jono