Who owns my website?
It depends on your agreement, and a website is really four things that can belong to different people: the domain name, the content, the design and code, and the hosting. Before you sign with anyone, find out who owns each one and what happens if you stop paying.
The four parts of a website
- The domain name, like yourbusiness.com. Whoever is listed as the registrant controls it. If a designer registers it in their own name, getting it back can be hard.
- The content: your logo, photos, text and reviews. Your logo and photos should always stay yours.
- The design and code: the layout and the files that make the site work. Some builders sell these to you; others license them while you subscribe.
- The hosting: the server account the site runs on. If it's in someone else's account, moving the site means they have to hand over the files.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Whose name will the domain be registered in, and can it be transferred to me?
- Do I own the design and code, or am I licensing them while I pay?
- If I cancel, can I take the site with me, and what does that cost?
- Will my logo, photos and text be returned to me?
- Is all of this written in the agreement?
How it works with us
We put it in writing, in the Terms published on this site.
- Starter ($500 one time): you own the site once it's paid for. Host it anywhere, or with us for $25 a month.
- Care ($150 a month): we own the site's code while you're subscribed, and you have a license to use it. If you cancel, you can buy the site for a one-time $500 and move to Starter, or let it come down on the cancellation date.
- Your content, on every plan: your logo, photos, text and reviews are always yours, and we return them on request.
- Your domain: if you already have one, it stays in your name and you keep paying your registrar. If we register and hold one for you ($15 a month), we transfer it to you once your account is paid up.
This is general information, not legal advice. Whoever you hire, read your agreement before you sign.
Common questions
Do I own my website if I pay a monthly fee?
Not always. Many monthly plans license the design to you while you pay. With our Care plan, we own the site's code while you're subscribed and you can buy it for a one-time $500 if you ever cancel. Your own content is always yours.
Who should own my domain name?
You should, or it should be transferable to you. If a designer registers it, make sure the agreement says it moves to your name. Ours does: a domain we hold is transferred to you once your account is paid up.
Can I move my website to another company later?
If you own it, yes. On our Starter plan we hand over the site's files as a zip archive when you leave our hosting. On Care, buy the site for $500 first, then take the files wherever you like.
See your site first. Own it on your terms.
Your Preview is free, and every plan is written down before you pay.