What to do differently.
BEFORE ENGAGING ANYONE
Register your own domain Buy your own hosting Establish that you will hold all access
IN THE AGREEMENT
What is included and excluded Ownership of everything Handover requirements What happens after launch
DURING THE PROJECT
Written confirmation of decisions Regular updates Your own testing before approval
AT HANDOVER
Full access Documentation Training A copy of the files
ONGOING
Know who maintains it Keep your own backups Review access periodically
WHAT TO CHECK ANNUALLY
That you still control everything That nothing has lapsed That access is current
WHAT MOST PROBLEMS TRACE BACK TO
Ownership arranged casually at the start.
Ten minutes then prevents years of difficulty.
