"Who owns my website?" Most owners only ask this when something goes wrong: the developer stops answering, a freelancer moves abroad, or the business wants to switch studios and suddenly nobody can log in to the domain. The answer is not obvious. A website is a set of pieces, and each piece can be registered to a different person.
The pieces of a website
| Piece | What it is | Why ownership matters |
|---|---|---|
| Domain | Your address, for example name.am | Losing it means losing the address, email and search history |
| Hosting | The server where the site lives | Whoever controls it can switch the site off |
| Code and design | Files, templates, database | Without them, moving or rebuilding the site starts from zero |
| Admin panel | Where you edit content | You need your own login, not a shared one |
| Analytics | Visitor and lead statistics | Years of data stay with the account owner |
| Google Business Profile | Your listing on Google Maps | Reviews and visibility in local search |
| Telegram bots and channels | Bots for leads and bookings | The bot owner controls the bot and its token |
| Email on your domain | Mailboxes like info@name.am | Tied to the domain and the mail provider account |
The domain comes first
The domain is the most important piece. It is the one thing you cannot rebuild. If it is registered to a developer and the relationship ends badly, you may have to start over with a new address.
- Register the domain to your company, or to the owner personally.
- Use a business email you control as the contact email at the registrar.
- Know the renewal date and set a reminder; expired domains can be lost.
For .am domains, see our .am domain guide.
Hosting and the server
If the developer hosts your site on their own server, that can be fine, but the contract should say how and when you can get a full copy and move it. If the hosting is in your name, the developer works with access you grant. Read more about options in web hosting in Armenia.
Code and design rights
The contract should state that after full payment, the rights to the design and code made for you pass to your business, except for third-party libraries and licensed fonts, which are used under their own licenses. Ask for a copy of the code or access to the repository at handover.
Accounts people forget
These are often created "quickly" on someone's personal email:
- Google Analytics and other analytics.
- Google Business Profile.
- Telegram bots, created through BotFather on someone's personal account.
- Payment provider accounts.
- Social media pages linked from the site.
Each should be created under a business account, with employees and the developer added as users. When someone leaves, you remove their access and keep everything.
What to put in the contract
- The domain, hosting and accounts are registered to the client.
- Rights to the design and code pass to the client after payment.
- All passwords and access are handed over at acceptance.
- The developer keeps access only while working on the project or during support.
- If the work ends, the developer hands over a copy of the site within a set period.
The same contract should also fix scope, price, deadlines and acceptance. You can check what we include on the pricing page.
Handover checklist
| Item | Check |
|---|---|
| Domain registrar login | You can log in yourself |
| Hosting or server | You have access or a written copy procedure |
| Admin panel | Your own login with owner rights |
| Analytics | You are the owner of the property |
| Google Business Profile | You are the primary owner |
| Telegram bot | Ownership transferred to your account |
| Code copy | Received, or repository access granted |
| Password list | Stored in a password manager |
How Kinto handles ownership
At Kinto the domain, accounts and bots are registered to your business. You get owner access to everything. We keep working access only for the project and for support if you choose it; support costs from $900 for 6 months. If you decide to move to another team, the site and all access stay with you.
| Project | Price at Kinto | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Landing page | from $700 | about 6 days |
| Website with sections | from $1,800 | about 12 days |
| Online store | from $4,000 | about 22 days |
| Support | from $900 for 6 months | ongoing |
Next step
Not sure who controls your current site? Write to @kinto_am on Telegram or leave a request through the form. We will help you list what you own and what needs to be moved to your name. More on the website development page.
Updated: 2026-10-15