What should you own when a website is handed over?

“The site is delivered” should mean more than receiving a link. A business needs to renew its domain, edit content, know who has access, and recover from a problem. A proper handoff reduces unclear dependence on one person.

Review ownership

List the domain registrar and renewal date, hosting account, code location, analytics account, and messaging tools. Primary access should belong to the business; contractor access should match the work needed. Do not send passwords through public documents or ordinary chat messages.

Perform a real task together

Have the owner change an opening hour, replace an image, and send a test request. If every small edit needs a developer, the instructions or access are incomplete. Test contact and booking on a phone too. Our post-launch checklist helps with that review.

Clarify recovery and support

Ask when backups are taken, who holds them, and whether restoration has been tested. Document how to report a fault, response hours, and the scope of support. The recipient should leave knowing how to sign in, make a simple edit, and reach the right person when something breaks.