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When it comes to your website, you may think you have complete ownership of your content. It has your branding and your specific messaging after all. And you paid someone for it to be up there on your website so it has to be yours, right?
Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
In this blog, we will explore the concept of content ownership and its relationship to web designers and website companies, and provide insights on how you can protect your assets.
Whether you are working with a website builder, a development agency, or a web design agency, understanding the nuances of content ownership is something you don’t want to miss.Â
Here’s the bad news: You might not own your web content.
Let’s say you’re a dentist, and you’re looking to expand the practice. You understand the need for a digital presence to ensure your customers find you online when they’re looking for a new provider. Your website needs an overhaul so you search for web design companies. You land a deal that seems too good to be true — a website company will create all of your content and host it for an incredibly low price. You sign the contract and your swanky new website is launched.
For whatever reason, one day, you decide to migrate your site to another hosting service and that’s when you find out the bad news: you don’t own any of your content — not the images, the writing, or even the blogs on your site.
You’re back to square one. And that good deal is just plain bad.
Some of our clients have come to us after they’ve had this issue: their former website designer created a budget-friendly website but once they were ready to part ways with the company, they realized they didn’t own the rights to their content.
Were you scratching your head a little at the concept? Frustratingly, some companies will create your website but not allow you to carry it over to a new web hosting provider. When you press the issue, they’ll tell you it was in your contract.
What is Web Hosting?
We’ve mentioned web hosting a lot in this blog, and we know not everyone understands what it means. We get this question a lot, and it’s okay if you don’t understand. Let’s break it down:
Web hosting is a service that allows individuals and organizations to make their websites accessible on the Internet. When you create a website, its various files, including HTML documents, images, videos, and other resources, need to be stored on a server—a special type of computer designed to store and serve website content. Web hosting providers offer these servers to store your website files and make them available to users on the internet.
Imagine you decide to migrate your site to another provider. Suddenly, the bomb drops — you can’t take your content with you. The messaging — the essence of your brand — all held hostage by the company that provided you with that seemingly incredible deal.
Sadly, some web design companies structure their contracts to give them legal ownership of the content they create for you. It’s only when you decide to shift your website to a new provider that the grim reality of content ownership rears its head.
Now that you understand the risks, it’s time to equip yourself with the knowledge to protect your digital assets.
Know What’s in Your Web Design Contract
We can’t repeat how important it is that you take the time to understand the small print details in any contract you enter into with a web design company. Thoroughly understanding what’s in the contract you’re considering is important to avoiding unforeseen complications down the road. Asking the right questions about your content and clarifying your domain name rights is essential for protecting your brand.
Before signing on the dotted line with any web design company, ask these critical questions:
- Do I own my website content if I choose to stop hosting with you later on?
- Is my website domain registered in my name?
Domain Ownership: Why It Matters
You may not have given much thought to your domain name; you simply chose one that is recognizable and easy to type into a search bar, and left it at that. But here’s why it matters: some unscrupulous web design companies might register your domain under their name, putting you at risk of losing control over your online identity. Imagine investing time, money, and effort into building a brand, only to find out your domain name isn’t exclusively yours to use.
Ready to Take the Next Step? A Web Design Partnership You Can Trust.
At Ardent Creative, we prioritize transparency with our clients every step of the way — there are no secrets in our contracts or hidden fees. From our initial meeting to continuous service, you’ll enjoy close collaboration with a team of industry experts, encompassing account management, creative professionals, developers, and more. If you’ve had a less-than-ideal experience with a previous web design provider or are starting fresh, reach out to us. Let’s discuss how we can create a brand experience that truly belongs to you.
Don’t let a seemingly good deal turn into a digital nightmare. Contact us today for a web design partnership you can trust.
