Check your domain, hosting, and login access today so you never get locked out of the website you paid a web company to build.
A roofer in Pewaukee wanted to switch website companies. He called the guy who built his site five years ago to get his logins. The guy stopped answering the phone. Turned out the domain, the hosting, and every password sat in that guy's own accounts. Not the roofer's. He had to start over from nothing.
Why this happens so often in the trades
Most contractors hire someone to "handle the website" and never think about it again. That's normal. You're busy running jobs, not managing domains. But a lot of small web shops and freelancers register the domain in their own name. They set up hosting under their own account. They never hand over the keys. It's not always on purpose. Sometimes it's just easier for them at the time. Nobody asks the question until something goes wrong.
The problem shows up years later, usually at the worst moment. You want to switch companies. Or add a feature the old guy can't do. Or he stops returning calls altogether.
The three things to check
You need to know the answer to three questions about your own website, today, before there's a problem:
- Who owns the domain? The domain is the actual address, like yourcompany.com. Whoever's name and email sit on that registration controls it, no matter who built the site.
- Who owns the hosting? Hosting is where the site's files actually live. If it's under someone else's personal account, they can take it down or lock you out any time.
- Do you have your own login? Not a login that routes through your web guy's email for password resets. Your own account, with your own email, one you can get into without calling anyone.
How to check today
For the domain, go to a site like whois.net and type in your domain name. It'll show you who the registrant is, or at least what registrar it's parked at. If that name is a company you've never heard of, not you, that's your first flag.
For hosting, ask directly: "Can you send me admin access to the hosting account, under my own email?" A web company that built your site right will do this without hesitation. One that hesitates, or gets vague, is telling you something.
What good ownership looks like
When a site is set up right, you should be able to answer all three of these without calling anyone:
- 01The domain is registered under your business name and your email
- 02The hosting account login uses your email, even if someone else manages it day to day
- 03You have a written note somewhere (a shared doc, a folder, anywhere) with the domain registrar, the hosting provider, and the admin login
That's it. It doesn't need to be complicated. It just needs to exist somewhere you control.
What to do if you don't own yours
If you find out today that you don't control your own domain or hosting, don't panic and don't burn the relationship yet. Ask calmly for the transfer. Most legitimate web companies will move it over within a few days once you ask directly. If someone stalls, gets cagey, or disappears, loop in your domain registrar's support team. They can walk you through a forced transfer with proof you're the business owner.
This guide covers the renewal side of this too. Even if you do own your domain, a lapsed renewal can knock your site offline for days while you scramble to fix it. Both problems come from the same root cause: not knowing who holds the keys to your own website.
Why this matters more than people think
Your website is where your quote requests come in. It's where your Google reviews link out from. It's where your ads point people. If someone else holds the domain and hosting, they hold your business's front door. You wouldn't let a subcontractor keep the only key to your shop. Don't let a web guy keep the only key to your site.
Questions people ask
Is it normal for a web company to manage the hosting for me?
Yes, that part is fine and common. Managing hosting day to day is different from owning the account. The account itself should still be under your name and email, even if someone else logs in to update things.
What if the person who built my site has passed away or vanished?
Domain registrars have a process for this. It usually requires your business documents and proof you're tied to the site, like an old invoice or contract. It's slower and more of a hassle than a normal transfer, but it's possible. Start with your registrar's support page.
How often should I check this?
Once a year is plenty, maybe when your domain renewal notice shows up. That's a natural reminder to confirm the domain is still under your name and the renewal date hasn't quietly slipped past you.