Getting what you need without losing control.
BEFORE ENGAGING ANYONE
Know what the site is for and what you want visitors to do Have your content, or budget for someone to write it Know your budget, including ongoing costs
WHAT TO ASK
What is included, specifically Who writes the content Who provides photographs How many revision rounds Who maintains it afterwards, and at what cost Who owns the domain and the hosting account
THE TWO THAT CAUSE DISPUTES
Content. Most projects stall because nobody agreed who was producing it.
Ownership. The domain must be registered in your business name, and you must hold the hosting account or have full access.
THE NON-NEGOTIABLE
Never let a developer register your domain in their own name. This is the most damaging arrangement in the industry and it is entirely avoidable.
If it has already happened, resolve it now while the relationship is good.
DURING THE WORK
Give them their own access rather than sharing your login Take a backup before granting access
AFTERWARDS
Remove their access, confirm what changed, and establish who maintains it.
