Who Owns Your Web Site?
Pretty simple question really, but do you know the answer? See, according to the regulators who run the Internet, your web site is owned entirely by the person who’s name is on your domain name record.
To find out who owns your domain name, all you have to do is a simple whois records check by visiting a free web service such as http://www.whois.net/ and typing your domain name into the search engine.
My own domain name for example is registered to me and my company (click here to see) but if you didn’t buy your domain name yourself, the chances are the company who built your web site owns your domain name and can keep it unless you win a costly court battle.
There are simple ways for business owners to protect themselves, the first is to call your web designer or the company you build your web site with and ask them to transfer the domain name to your name, address and billing details.
Once your domain name is registered in your name (and your email address) you should move your domain name to a private account which only you have access to. This will ensure your internet presence is never stolen or tampered with.
Some unscrupulous web designers will tell you that it’s difficult to manage your web domain name, or that it’s better for them to handle it for you but in truth, managing a domain name takes a few moments a year and companies such as GoDaddy.com make the whole process painless, as easy as ordering pizza.
Remember, your domain name is an important part of your business identity and nobody should be able to take it from you.
Last Reviewed
This article was last reviewed on May 2, 2026 for accuracy and relevance.
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