| Depending on your situation, the success you have | | | | hosting companies for example, it's not uncommon |
| with your online business may be the difference | | | | for the original company to delete files immediately |
| between being able to pay your bills and put food on | | | | upon cancellation of your account. If this were to |
| the table, or not being able to do either. If this is the | | | | happen to you and you didn't have the back up files, |
| case in your situation, there are five basic | | | | you'd be cooked. But, with the updated back up files |
| components of your business that you need to have | | | | in hand, you'd be back in business in a matter of a |
| absolute control over. If you let others retain control | | | | few minutes. |
| over these components, you risk losing your business | | | | 4. All Domain Names and associated log in information. |
| in an instant. | | | | Your domain is your business identity. It never |
| The Five Areas You Must Control | | | | ceases to amaze me that so many people allow |
| 1. All Original Web Site Content | | | | others, such as a web designer or employee to |
| This includes all images, photos, logos and page files. | | | | register their domain name for them, in the other |
| If you don't have control over these things, you are | | | | persons name. This is a recipe for disaster. If you |
| asking for trouble. Perhaps your web designer | | | | allow someone else to register your domain name in |
| decides he or she loses interest in your project and | | | | their name, you are essentially taking on a partner. If |
| loses or deletes the files? What if they move away | | | | your business takes off like a rocket, this other |
| and you can't contact them? What if they sell these | | | | person will be in control of your business identity and |
| items to a competitor? The bottom line is that you | | | | could choose to demand a huge sum of money to |
| must maintain control of all the original files to your | | | | transfer it to your name. Or they could shut your site |
| site. | | | | down and open one of their own, using your domain |
| 2. Web Hosting Access Information | | | | name! |
| When you have a web site, you'll have a web | | | | Even if you allow someone else to register your |
| hosting account. This is were all of your files are | | | | domain name using your name as the owner, be sure |
| stored that make your web site function. If you are | | | | that you are the only one who has access to the log |
| using a web designer, never, and I mean NEVER use | | | | in information. Don't allow others to have this |
| their hosting company or one that is recommended | | | | information as they could make changes, such as |
| by them. Some designers will offer you a "deal" if | | | | pointing your domain to another site. |
| you have them design your site and host it on their | | | | Also - never enter into a package deal that has a |
| server. This isn't a good idea because they will have | | | | web site building program tied into a domain name. |
| control over your site. If you were to have a falling | | | | You need to have the flexibility to move your |
| out with your web designer, they could make life | | | | domain and hosting account wherever you want to. |
| very difficult for you by refusing to provide you with | | | | In many cases, the package deals will prohibit you |
| access information to your hosting account. Some | | | | from doing so. |
| web designers will have all their clients on one hosting | | | | 5. Any And All Passwords |
| account. If one of their other clients does something | | | | In addition to the passwords associated with the |
| illegal, such as using spam to market their business, all | | | | operation of your web site, you'll also have many |
| web sites in that hosting account could be shut | | | | user names and passwords for many other accounts |
| down, putting you out of business. You need to | | | | you'll use to run your business. Sites like Google |
| maintain complete control over user names and | | | | Adwords, article submission services, web site logs, |
| passwords. | | | | email accounts, email marketing services such as |
| Sure, you can set up temporary passwords for | | | | Aweber will all require user names and passwords. Be |
| those your hire to help you with your web site, but | | | | sure that you have all of this information - even if |
| just remember to delete them when those they | | | | you hire outside services to handle all of the work |
| complete the work you need done. | | | | associated with these accounts. |
| 3. All Backed Up Content, HTML code and pages | | | | There are times that you'll want to provide access to |
| If you ever find the need to make a change in | | | | these and other business related accounts to people |
| hosting companies, web site designers, sales page | | | | you outsource projects to, but be sure to change |
| copywriters or in house staff, it's critical that you | | | | the log in information once the project they are |
| personally maintain all the back up files to your web | | | | working on for you is completed. |
| site. This way, if you ever move to another hosting | | | | If you retain control of these five key areas, you'll |
| company or decide to make a change in any of the | | | | always be in control of your business and won't have |
| people above, you won't be at risk for having your | | | | to lose sleep over someone coming in and wiping you |
| entire business be put out of business. If you change | | | | out in the blink of an eye. |