When most businesses in Springfield, MA, or East Longmeadow decide to build a website, they typically hand over the entire project to a web developer or agency. It seems easier that way—they register your domain, set up hosting, install WordPress (or another platform), and get your site live.
But here’s the part most folks overlook:
Once it’s all up and running… who owns it?
You might assume it’s you—but that’s not always the case. And if it’s not, it can turn into a major headache later.
“I Paid for It, So It’s Mine… Right?”
Not necessarily.
If your web developer registered your domain using their name and email, they legally own it. The same goes for your hosting account, DNS settings, SSL certificates—even the logins to your website’s backend.
Unless you’ve been explicitly granted ownership and access, you could just be along for the ride. And if that ride ends—say, your developer disappears—you could be locked out of your online presence.
What Happens If Your Developer Vanishes?
It’s more common than you think.
Freelancers change careers. Agencies shut down. And sometimes, that one helpful guy who built your site five years ago just stops replying.
If your domain is tied to his account and you don’t have access, you’re at a disadvantage. That means:
- You can’t move your website
- You can’t renew your domain
- You can’t change email providers
- You might not even be able to prove the site belongs to you
And in some cases, we’ve seen past contractors deliberately let domains expire or redirect them elsewhere—yes, out of spite.
How to Check Domain Ownership (Right Now)
There’s a simple way to check this. Run a WHOIS search on your domain. It’ll show the name and email used during registration.
- If that info matches your business, great.
- If it’s someone else—or worse, an unrecognizable name—it’s a red flag.
We’ve seen domains registered to developers, ex-employees, even the owner’s teenage nephew who set it up “just to help.”
Do You Know Where Everything Lives?
Your website isn’t just a single thing. It’s made of many parts, each with its account and login:
- Domain registration
- Hosting provider
- DNS records
- SSL certificates
- Email hosting
- CMS logins (WordPress, etc.)
- Analytics tools and plugins
If access is scattered or undocumented, you’re at risk. It only takes one missing login or expired credit card to break something vital.
So What Happens If You Lose Access?
If you can’t get into your registrar account, you can’t renew your domain.
If your hosting is tied to someone else’s account, you can’t migrate your site.
If your DNS settings become corrupted, your email service may be disrupted—a significant issue for any business.
And even if your site looks fine on the surface, if someone else controls the backend, you don’t own it. It’s like having a storefront where someone else holds the only key.
Don’t Put All Your Trust in One Person
Maybe you’ve got a reliable employee who “handles all the tech stuff.” Or perhaps it’s a trusted developer you’ve used for years.
That’s fine—until they leave, go on vacation, or forget a password.
When that happens and there’s no documentation, no backup plan, and no clear record of what’s where, you’re scrambling.
How We Help Businesses Take Back Control
At Bob’s Computer Service, we help local businesses own their online presence—not just rent it.
We’re not here to replace one gatekeeper with another. We’re here to make sure you have the keys.
✅ Full Website & Domain Audit
We’ll help you figure out:
- Who owns your domain
- Where your DNS records are managed
- Who hosts your website and email
- What logins are active (and which ones are missing)
We’ll also uncover forgotten accounts or third-party services you might not realize are connected.
🔑 Regain Ownership
If your domain is registered under someone else, we help transfer it to a business-controlled account.
If your hosting is locked down, we’ll migrate it properly.
And everything—logins, accounts, billing—is tied to you and documented.
🛡️ Set Up the Right Way
We secure your setup with:
- Admin-level logins in your business name
- Two-factor authentication
- Secure password vaults
- Clear, shareable documentation
You won’t have to call us to ask for your passwords. You’ll already have them.
Not Sure Who Owns What? Let’s Find Out
If you’ve never checked who owns your domain—or don’t know where your site is hosted—it’s a good idea to take a look.
We offer quick audits to provide you with a comprehensive view of what’s yours, what’s not, and where the risks are hidden.
Your digital presence is one of your most essential assets—make sure it belongs to you, not the guy who built it.
