Why Keeping Control of Your Website is Crucial
Your website is more than just a virtual storefront, it’s the foundation of your online presence. It’s where potential customers go to learn about your brand, explore your services, and decide whether to trust you. Yet, many business owners unknowingly hand over control of this vital asset to third parties, only to find themselves locked out or limited down the road.
If you own a small business, maintaining control of your website is vital
It’s a lot easier to change your web developer than move your website & domain
If your web developer or company disappears, raises their rates unexpectedly, or doesn’t make updates quickly enough, you may be left stranded. Keeping control means you decide who works on your site, when, and how, not the other way around.
Access to Key Assets
You should always have access to:
- Your domain name registrar account
- Your hosting provider
- Your website admin dashboard (WordPress, Shopify, etc.)
- Any third-party services linked to your site (email marketing, analytics, etc.)
Losing access to any of these can make simple changes impossible, and in worst-case scenarios, can lock you out of your own business.
Stay on Top of Billing Details
A surprisingly common way business owners lose access to their websites is through expired credit cards or failed payments. Domain names and hosting accounts often rely on auto-renew, but that only works if your payment method is valid. If your card expires or is declined, your domain name or hosting could be suspended, or worse, your domain could be released and bought by someone else.
Take a few minutes to
- Make sure your credit card information is current
- Confirm renewal dates for domains, hosting, and related services
- Set reminders ahead of critical renewal periods, just in case
Don’t leave something so important to auto-renew!
Security and Backups
If you don’t control your site, you may not know whether regular backups are being taken, or if security patches and updates are being applied. With control, you can ensure your site is protected from hacks, downtime, and data loss, and you can recover quickly if something goes wrong.
Freedom to Grow
Your business will evolve, and so should your website. Whether it’s adding new features, rebranding, or integrating with new tools, having control gives you the freedom to scale and adapt without being held back by third-party gatekeepers.
How to Take Control of Your Website
Here are a few simple steps you can take today:
- Make sure your domain and hosting accounts are in your name, and email address and that you know how to log on, or at least have that information somewhere you can find it.
- Keep a secure list of all your usernames and passwords, preferably using a password vault
- Choose service providers who communicate, and allow you to have the access that you want, not the other way round
- Set up regular backups and ensure you understand how to restore them.
- Double-check billing info regularly and set reminders for key renewal dates.
Final Thoughts
Your website is a core part of your business. Losing control of it can lead to unnecessary stress, costs, and risks.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or already have a site, take the time to ensure you truly own and control it.