Own Your Website

by | Aug 5, 2020 | SEO | Web Design

The first step to your website project is getting all of the needed information in one place. This can be content, images, videos – or specifically for me: web hosting and domain credentials.

At Roundpeg, we ask for this information up-front, before we start any work, so that we’re not hurriedly digging for logins at some other point in the project. It provides great peace of mind to know that you have access to anything you’re going to need should something take a wrong turn.

If you’re running an organization, generally speaking, it’s a good idea to keep records. If you’re paying the bills for a service, you should be able to plug in some credentials and access your profile and billing records. This seems like common sense, but we’re seeing more and more that organizations are struggling to retain ownership of their accounts. This could be because your web person set everything up in their name, because of a dissenting employee or former admin, or because you’ve simply lost the credentials. It’s important to not only pay the bills for your web services, but to own the accounts as well. This blog will explore ways to ensure that you’re not locked out of your own services from the get-go.

Own Your Accounts for Your Website

One of the biggest failings we see is a rogue, spiteful former employee who feels like they have some claim to organization accounts because they’re the ones who set up the account. While we all can agree holding business account information hostage is childish, there are plenty of childish adults in the world.

The best way to avoid some ne’er-do-well from hijacking your web presence is to set up your accounts using a business-controlled account and payment method. This could be an admin email address for your business or an address that is passed to a new employee should someone leave the company.

Make it Clear

If you’re setting up accounts using a 3rd party company like a digital marketing agency, make it clear in the agreement that your organization is the owner of any accounts associated with bills you’ve paid. When a client parts ways with Roundpeg, we work with the client or new agency to ensure they have everything they need. Other companies have proven to be not so nice.

Take Action if Needed

If you’re stuck in the tricky situation where a former employee is withholding your business accounts from you, you may have some legal recourse. This of course would be best discussed with your attorney. Calling the cops for digital theft won’t do much, but sending the rogue ex-employee a court summons might give them enough of a scare to hand over any captive information.

Keep Receipts

As with your other business expenses, it’s a good idea to keep receipts of your digital purchases. This ensures that you have something to reference if you need to recover an account for a service. Use a company card, and put it on-file to bill if you can. It’s not a good idea to reimburse an employee for a purchase made using a personal card, even if it is the more convenient route.

Come Out Ahead

If you find yourself or your company being manipulated by a malicious former employee, be sure to retain your composure and not to do anything that may jeopardize the moral or cultural integrity of your organization. Eyes are on you, and how you handle this kerfuffle can either highlight the positives of your company or bring out the shortcomings. Calculated, measured action should be taken – don’t send that nasty tweet or whine on social media, just get what you need to done.

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