When I meet with clients to discuss website development and ask them who hosts their current site, over 90% don’t know. It’s important that you know this because very often, the hosting company registers your domain name for you. Do you know if your name is on the registration? It should be!
This also holds true for website plugins and WordPress themes. If your site needs a plugin, make sure you purchase it, or if your design company buys it, have them purchase in your name.
Our Kiers site is hosted locally (physically in the city) and they also host many of the sites we design for our clients. When setting up hosting, they ensure that everything is in the client’s name and sends documentation to the client to confirm that. You should ask your hosting company who owns your domain name, who owns the database, and who owns the website. If it’s not you, it might be time to make a change.
Another issue some of our clients are experiencing are password problems. Many businesses have an administrative person looking after their website and social media. What if that staff person leaves your employment? Do you know what the passwords are? Make sure your online passwords are well documented and in a place where you can easily find them.
These are all very important exercises to undertake. The $10.00 a month hosting companies could end up costing you a lot more in the long run. Your social media accounts and website are company assets too. Protect them!