Before a new business website goes live, it is worth agreeing on who owns the domain, where the site is hosted, and what the handoff includes. The answers may vary by platform and contract, so ask for them in writing rather than assuming everything works the same way.
Steps Worth Taking
Know Who Controls The Domain
Confirm the legal business or an authorized owner controls the domain registration and renewal. Ask where DNS is managed and who can approve changes. Losing domain access can affect the website and business email at the same time.
Understand Hosting And Monthly Costs
Know which provider hosts the site, what the subscription covers, and what happens if billing stops. Ask whether third-party services such as e-commerce, forms, email, analytics, or plugins carry separate ongoing costs.
Keep Access To The Accounts You Need
Identify the administrator accounts for the website, e-commerce platform, forms, and analytics. Prefer individual logins with appropriate roles over shared passwords. Store recovery information securely and confirm that you can reach it independently of the developer.
Review The Live Website Together
Check important pages on a phone and desktop, follow navigation links, and test the contact or checkout flow using a safe test. Review spelling, images, accessibility basics, and mobile layout before launch approval. Keep a short list of agreed corrections.
Document Where Content And Files Live
Ask how to update text, images, products, and business information. Depending on the project, request relevant design files, exported content, and documentation permitted by the contract. Confirm any licenses or third-party components that are not transferable.
Agree On Support And Future Changes
Know what counts as a post-launch correction, what requires a new quote, and who handles security updates, backups, and ongoing support. Ask how the site could be transferred to another provider if your needs change.
Protect Existing Search Traffic When Replacing A Site
If an existing website is being replaced, make a list of valuable pages and their URLs. Set up appropriate redirects for addresses that change, preserve useful content, and verify analytics and search tools after launch.
These questions are useful whether you work with us or someone else. Explore our Website Design services, questions to ask a designer, and the Kiddie Komforts example.
Helpful References
These trusted resources offer more detailed background:
General educational information only. The appropriate steps depend on your business, systems, and circumstances.