Who owns your website?

When it comes to your company's website, you should answer this question with a quick, definitive “we do.” Of course, if you are not absolutely positive, you should start asking some questions.

First, relax, this is not meant to be a scare tactic, just some friendly advice, especially if your company does not actually have a web presence yet. The first question in that case is what are you waiting for? Building a quality website is cheaper and easier than ever, and potential customers are searching the internet for products and services you offer, building a web presence is important to the success of your business.

Consider your website to be made up of these three pieces and be sure you own each:

• Design and Layout - Thinking of your website as any other creative piece of marketing / advertising material is the best approach. If you contract a reputable professional to build your website, and you should hire professionals, be sure you have it in writing that your company owns all rights to the design and layout, plus all graphics / images used.
• Content - As the expert in your industry, you should play a key role in developing any content (text, video, audio, photos) on your website. Content is the most important part of your website, so if you have hired a copywriter, videographer, photographer or other professional to assist in creating your message, again, have it in writing that you own all rights.
• Domain name - Your domain name, the .com, .net, .org name your website uses, our domain is trusurge.com for example. This is your virtual real estate, your location on the web. It is also your brand and it should be protected. If you are using a third party to host, build and maintain your website, be absolutely positive that you own the domain name. In fact, be sure that you are listed as the registrant for the domain and that your contact information is used.

Again, this is not meant to scare you, just some points you need to consider. It is important to have these questions answered now, in writing before things change. Remember, your main contact can leave a company, or your web design firm could go out of business, or you may simply want to change to a new firm. Whatever the reason, things change and thinking ahead can make these types of transitions a bit easier.