The #1 Piece of Information You Need From Your Web Developer ASAP!
What I am about to tell you is imperative to protect your website, yourself and your business from so many ugly things.
Are you ready?
If you have a website, you need to ensure that you absolutely 100%, and unequivocally have knowledge and access to your website’s login credentials. You need to know what your login is, as well as your password. Period. Full stop.
If you just read the above paragraph, took a big nervous gulp, and thought: ‘Uh oh. What’s my login and password for my website?’ then I want you to stop reading this, look for it, and if you don’t have it, immediately call your web developer, tech helper, virtual assistant, business partner, etc. and get your login details and write them down (maybe in more than one place) and keep them safe.
Why Should You Ask Your Web Developer For Your Login Details?
Your web developer/tech helper/virtual assistant does not own your website; you do. They are merely assisting you to manage, edit or maintain it so they should not be the only people who know the login details. As the owner, it is your job to protect your website.
If you hired a contractor to renovate your home, you may give them the garage code or access to your front door for a period of time, but would you give them your only set of house keys?
Absolutely not, right? That would be crazy!
Imagine if you said:
“Hey contractor, here are the keys to my house. Feel free to come and go as you please. If I ever want to go in my own home, I’ll call you and ask you to borrow the key. Can you just make sure to lock it on your way out?”
Sounds crazy right? Well, if you don’t know how to access your own website and you’re handing over all control to someone else, you’re basically doing the same thing with your digital home and assets. You are NOT protecting your website and being proactive.
Even if you are allergic to technology, don’t know how to do anything on or to your website …. you still own it and should have access and ability to log in.
Let me share with you two real-life examples of people who did not know their website credentials:
Scenario 1:
Client A is no longer happy with their website. Their web developer is the only person with access to the back end of their website (needed to make changes). Client A wants to create a brand new website and hires my team to do this. In order to merge aspects of the old site with the new, we need access to the back end of the website, and guess what, my client does not have the login details for their site (Uh oh!). Instead of being able to hand us over the sign-in credentials, the web developer had to be contacted for the details … which happens more often than you think and is awkward because at that point they know they’ve been replaced before you were ready to tell them.
Scenario 2:
Client B was in negotiations with their web developer over some work that was recently done and the associated charges. Client B did not have access to their website or the login credentials. Their web developer, upset with how the negotiations were going, decided to lock out Client B and shut down the site. This is completely avoidable and should not have happened. I will repeat: your web developer does NOT own your website, you do! Yes, they may have created it or maintained it for you, but they do not own it.
This is my public service reminder to everyone reading this: please make sure that you have access to your website login credentials and password. It is in your best interest to know how to login and access your website. It is your job to protect your website and your business.
If you want more information on websites and relationships with web developers, check out: What to Ask a Web Developer, BEFORE You Hire Them.
If you have any questions about websites, developers, best practices, please drop a comment and I will be sure to get back to you.
From my kitchen table to yours,
Tracy Smith is a professional copywriter, brand strategist and the Founder of Kitchen Table CEOs. Through tips, writing templates and one-on-one consulting services, Tracy helps women entrepreneurs create the content, brand and online presence they need to launch and grow their business. For more information on her services and how to work with her, please click HERE.
