NTG STUDIO WEBShort answer
Without a written clause, ownership of your site can be unclear: the domain may be in the provider’s name, the code and design may remain their intellectual property, and the logins stay with them. Demand in the quote or contract: domain in your name, hand-over of all logins, transfer of rights to the delivered site and content after payment, and a list of licensed items (themes, plugins, photos).
Key takeaways
- The domain name is the most important thing to own
- Logins must be handed over on delivery
- The transfer of rights must be in writing
- Purchased themes, plugins and photos have their own licences
"My website is mine, I paid for it." Not necessarily. Without a written clause, the domain, hosting, code and even the copy can stay in your provider’s hands. The day you want to switch, you find out. Here is how to avoid it.
This guide is for information and doesn’t replace legal advice.
The parts of a website
| Element | Who should own it? | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Domain name | You | Registered in your name, with your email |
| Hosting | You, or managed for you with access | Account in your name or full access |
| Site code | You, after payment | Written transfer of rights |
| Design | You, after payment | Except licensed elements |
| Copy | You | Especially if written for you |
| Photos | Depends on source | Stock image licences |
| Themes and plugins | Licensed | Transferable licence or in your name |
| Google accounts | You | Analytics, Search Console, Google profile |
Clauses to demand
- "The domain name is registered in the client’s name."
- "On delivery, the provider hands over all logins: domain, hosting, admin, Google tools."
- "After full payment, the client holds the rights to the delivered site, its specific code, design and content."
- "Third-party licensed elements (themes, plugins, fonts, photos) are listed with their terms."
- "At the end of the relationship, the provider supplies a full copy of the site and database."
NTG Studio Web does it for you (Custom website design, Website redesign). Free 30-minute audit, reply within 24 hours, payment by Orange Money or MTN MoMo.
Risky situations
- The domain in the provider’s name. The most common and most serious. See Developer disappeared: recovering your website and domain.
- A site built on the provider’s proprietary platform, impossible to move.
- A "premium" theme downloaded without a licence: legal and security risk.
- No copy of the site on your side.
The subscription case
Some offers rent you a site monthly: no big upfront payment, but the site stays with the provider. Not necessarily bad, as long as you know it and understand the exit terms: can you take the domain and content with you?
Our commitment
At NTG Studio Web: domain in your name, all logins handed over on delivery, ownership of the delivered site and content after payment, licensed elements listed, a full copy supplied on request. You stay free, even to work with someone else.
Frequently asked questions
Can the provider keep my site if I change agency?
If nothing is written, it can get complicated, especially if domain and hosting are in their name. That’s why the quote should cover hand-over of logins and transfer of rights.
Do the photos on my site belong to me?
Photos you supply, yes. Stock photos are licensed. Photos by a photographer depend on your contract with them.
Can I have my site edited by another provider?
Yes, if you have the logins, code and rights. Check the technology used is standard and documented.
Founder of NTG Studio Web in Douala. Master’s in international public law, IBM Data Analytics and Anthropic AI Fluency certified. He designs websites and visibility strategies for African businesses. Learn more →