It is quite common situation where business and their web developer choose to end their collaboration. Then, when the business owner goes to decide to have the service of another developer, the client discovers that they have limited or no admin access to their accounts. This includes ownership over their domain, email, and hosting accounts.

This also includes any 3rd party services like web analytics, social media handles as well as SEO tools. 

Domain ownership is especially crucial. Everything is dependent on domain name and DNS records. The email hosting and web hosting in Dubai won't work if the domain is not configured properly.

For instance, if a business loses ownership of their domain, the consequences can be significant. Losing ownership over the domain means they no longer have a primary online presence. Search engine ranking built over the years can vanish into thin air.

Much worse, if a domain expires, it could be registered by someone else and point it to their site. This becomes more difficult for e-commerce businesses.

Losing ownership over domain name has other implications like security. Anyone owning our domain can recreate existing email and access to sensitive information.

Make the Right Purchases as Step Number One

Ask your service provider to walk you through the process of purchasing domain, email hosting for Dubai at the start of the project and thus ensuring that you are not being locked in. This is also the starting point for ongoing training, maintenance, and site management.

Create a Getting started cheat, include a clear stepwise on what products/ services to consider; what to buy and how to set things up. This can be handy even if you decide to part ways with your provider.

Transfer of Ownership

If your new site is on a dedicated server account in Dubai that is owned by your service provider, you can migrate to a hosting account that you own easily. If you do not own hosting account, ask your service provider to guide you through choosing and buying the right hosting plan and assist you to set up, and then migrate the site over.

The migration process differs depending on which platform the site was built. If the site were built on WordPress, for example, you can do the site migration manually on your own or could use a plugin like All-In-One WP migration. 

Email migration is a little complicated process. It depends on how the email accounts were configured originally, i.e. if it is a G Suite, Office 365, or POP email hosting account.

Regain Control of Your Account 

If unfortunately, your account is being controlled by a previous and unresponsive web designer or developer, start by reaching out to them. 

Explain the situation to them and that you are migrating to a new service provider. For domains, you need to contact to their domain’s registrar. You need to have evidence of proof of ownership for domain name, website, or email accounts.

Encode Ownership Details into Your Accounts

Due diligence is required in including details of your ownership of domain hosting and email accounts. Ensure that there is an appropriate level of access permitted to manage the hosting and email accounts. Finally include your terms if both parties choose to part ways. This extra care will pay rewards later and sets clear expectations.