Why Pricing & Ownership Matter

Why Pricing & Ownership Matter

Many small business owners get caught out by unexpected costs, hidden fees, or unclear ownership when hiring a web company. Some discover too late that they don’t even own their own website—it’s locked to a platform or agency, making it difficult to move or update.

Understanding what you’re paying for and who controls your website is crucial to avoid surprises down the line.

Understanding Website Costs

Website pricing can vary widely depending on complexity, functionality, and the provider. Here are the main cost factors to consider:

1. Upfront Costs (One-Time Fees)

  • Website design & development – The cost to build the site.
  • Domain name – The website address (e.g., mybusiness.co.uk). Typically paid annually.
  • Hosting – Where your website lives online. Some platforms include it, others require separate hosting.
  • SSL certificate – Provides security (some hosts include it for free).

2. Ongoing Costs (Recurring Fees)

  • Hosting fees – Monthly or yearly, depending on provider.
  • Maintenance & updates – Keeping software/plugins up to date.
  • Support & troubleshooting – Some agencies offer this as a monthly service.
  • E-commerce fees – Platforms like Shopify charge transaction fees.
  • Marketing & search engine optimisation tools – If using premium plugins or services.

3. Additional Costs to Watch Out For

  • Custom features – Extra functionality (e.g., booking systems, membership areas) may cost more.
  • Stock images & content creation – If the agency provides images or writes content, there may be extra fees.
  • Email hosting – Some website packages don’t include professional email accounts.

Who Owns Your Website?

1. Do You Own the Domain Name?

  • The domain should be registered in your name, not the web company’s.
  • If they register it for you, make sure you have full access.

2. Can You Move Your Website?

  • Some platforms (like Wix, Squarespace) don’t allow you to migrate your site elsewhere.
  • Custom-built websites on WordPress or similar platforms are usually more portable.

3. Do You Have Admin Access?

  • You should have full access to your website’s backend.
  • Some companies restrict access so you have to pay them for every change.

4. What Happens if You Stop Paying?

  • Does your site get deleted, or can you keep it?
  • Some agencies charge a fee to transfer the website to another provider.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Before signing a contract, consider:

  1. What’s my total budget (including ongoing costs)?
  2. Do I want to manage my own website, or will I need ongoing support?
  3. Am I comfortable with the platform, or will I rely on a developer for changes?
  4. What happens if I want to switch providers in the future?

Questions to Ask Your Website Company

  1. What’s included in the quoted price, and what’s extra?
  2. Who owns the domain name and hosting account?
  3. Will I have full admin access to my website?
  4. Are there any ongoing costs I need to be aware of?
  5. Can I move my website to another provider if needed?

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Many business owners regret their website deals because they:

  • Didn’t read the contract or terms of service carefully.
  • Assumed they owned the website, only to find out they didn’t.
  • Were locked into high ongoing costs they didn’t expect.
  • Chose a cheap deal that led to poor support or hidden fees later.

Next Steps

Once you understand pricing and ownership, the final step is making sure you’re choosing a reliable web company. The next article will help you spot red flags and avoid common pitfalls when hiring a website provider.

Coming Up Next:

Red Flags: How to Spot a Bad Website Company – Avoiding unreliable providers and making sure you get a good deal.