How to avoid domain issues when using a freelancer

Building a website is an essential part of establishing an online presence for your business. Whether you are just starting out or refreshing your existing website, finding the right help to build your website is critical. Many small business owners are turning to freelance web developers to help them create their website. While this may seem like an ideal solution, it can be risky if you do not own your own domain.

”But wait, I own my own domain, I bought it through my friend who owns a hosting company!”

Alas, so many of our clients have stories detailing how they tried to recapture domain ownership that has been either compromised by lack of security of their developer was just never heard from again. When you buy a domain through anyone except a registered reseller, you risk losing access to your website. We do all our domain registrations through name.com – one of the largest domain registrar’s in the business!

Here are just some of the dangers of not owning your own domain when you build a website with a freelancer:

1. Lack of Control: When you don’t own your domain, you end up with a website that you cannot control. Sure you may have a developer, but this means you cannot make changes to the website without the developer’s permission. You also cannot choose where to host your website, which can be problematic if you want to switch hosting services or if your developer goes out of business.

2. Vendor Lock-In: Vendor lock-in occurs when you are dependent on a particular vendor for all critical aspects of your website. In this case, you are dependent on your freelancer for your website, and you could be stuck with them for the rest of your website’s life cycle.

3. Legal Issues: If you don’t own your own domain, you don’t have any legal ownership of the website. This means that you cannot transfer ownership of the website to another developer or company if you ever decide to sell your business.

4. Loss of Branding: Building your website on a domain owned by someone else means that you cannot create a brand around your URL. You may also be stuck with a domain name that is not aligned with your business or industry. Conversely, if all your branding is around your domain, and your freelancer goes MIA, you’re stuck without any access to your website!

5. Security Issues: Your domain name and website are your online identity, and a breach of security could have serious consequences. If you don’t own your domain, you are limiting your ability to secure your online identity, and you may be putting your business at risk.

These are just some of the  owning your own domain is essential when building a website with a freelancer. A domain name is the foundation of your online branding, and without it, you could put your business at risk. As a business owner, it’s important to own your own domain to maintain control over your website and ensure the security of your business.

So how does CYTO create a solution that fixes all of these problems?

We start with education.

When you’re onboarded, you’re given a packet of information that shows you specifically how you own your domain and what we do to secure your ownership during the initial setup process.

With CYTO you also own your data. You have access to your data 24/7 through FTP and our online backup tools. We retain backups on-site as well as in the cloud, so if you ever run into issues, we are able to support you no matter what may come your way.

Don’t be left in the dark with your web host – choose a provider like us that will go the distance before you even meet us.