THE SHORT ANSWER
Put the ownership and handoff terms in the quote before the build begins. Keep a record of the finished work, access, licenses, and recurring costs.
Keep control of your domain
Your domain is the address printed on your cards, signage, and invoices. Know which account holds it, who receives renewal notices, and how you recover access. A business owner should not need to track down a former contractor just to renew an address.
If somebody registers a domain on your behalf, agree how the registration and account access will be handed over. Keep recovery details current and use the provider’s security features.
Define what “you own it” includes
Ask the builder to name the deliverables. Depending on the project, these may include the custom design, source files, approved copy, image assets, and instructions for running or updating the site. Do not assume every item is included because a quote uses the word ownership.
At Your Page, after full payment you receive the finished custom work, source, and handoff instructions. Third-party images, fonts, and tools keep their own licenses. Your agreed scope and project terms explain what is included.
Source files and a drag-and-drop editor are different deliverables. If you want to change menus, prices, or pages yourself, tell us before the build so we can agree the editing setup you need.
List the services that stay outside the website
A booking service, payment provider, map, or stock photograph can have separate terms and costs. Ask who holds those accounts and whether your chosen use is covered. A copy of a file does not, by itself, explain its license.
Keep an account inventory with the purpose of each service, its owner, renewal date, and where to find access instructions. Store passwords in an appropriate password manager, not in that shared inventory.
Use a handoff checklist
Before treating the project as complete, confirm these points against your written agreement.
- You can access the domain account and receive renewal notices.
- The finished work and agreed source files have been delivered.
- You know where the website runs and who pays for hosting.
- Third-party assets and services have their licensing or account details recorded.
- You know who handles updates, backups, and recovery, and what that work costs.
- The agreed contact and booking paths have been tested on the live site.
- You have instructions for requesting changes or moving to another provider.
Choose support separately
Some owners want an ongoing person to call. Others already have someone who can maintain their site. Either choice should be clear before launch, including what happens if the support arrangement ends.
Your Page care plans are optional, month to month, and selected separately. A website still needs hosting and upkeep if you do not choose a plan with us. Agree who handles those jobs so they are not left unassigned.