Do You Actually Own Your Website?

A Website Ownership Scorecard by Mattan Collective

You paid for your website. But do you actually own and control it?

Many small business owners don't realize how much of their website is controlled by someone else...until they need to make a change, switch providers, or access something important.

Answer these 8 quick questions to find out how much control you really have.

Estimated time: 2 minutes

What is your name?

What is your email?

We will send over your score and our recommendations after you submit:

Who controls your domain name?
Your domain is your website address (like yourbusiness.com).

I do, through an account owned by my business. (2 points)

My website designer or agency manages it. (1 point)

I'm not sure who controls it. (0 points)

Do you have administrator access to your website?

Yes! I have full administrator access. (2 points)

I have access, but some features are restricted. (1 point)

No, or I'm not sure how to log in. (0 points)

Who owns the account your website is built on?

My business owns the account. (2 points)

My developer or agency owns the account. (1 point)

I'm not sure whose account it's under. (0 points)

Can you change website providers without losing your domain name?

Yes, I have the access needed to transfer or update my domain. (2 points)

I'd need my current provider's help or permission. (1 point)

I have no idea what would happen if I switched. (0 points)

Do you have access to your website's content and files?
Think photos, written content, logos, and other materials used on your website.

Yes, I can access and download my content and files. (2 points)

I have access to some things, but not everything. (1 point)

No, or I'm not sure where those files are. (0 points)

Who controls your website hosting and billing?
Hosting is the service that keeps your website online.

My business controls the account and payments. (2 points)

My website designer or agency handles everything. (1 point)

I'm not sure who manages it. (0 points)

Can you decide who has access to your website?

Yes, I can add or remove users and manage permissions. (2 points)

I have to ask my website provider to make those changes. (1 point)

I don't know who has access to my website. (0 points)

If your website designer disappeared tomorrow, could you still manage your website?

Yes! I have the access and information needed to keep things running. (2 points)

Possibly, but it would be difficult. (1 point)

No. I'd be completely stuck. (0 points)