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The Website Trap
Imagine trying to fire your agency and being told, “You can’t! We own your site.”
Yeah. That happens. A lot.
This tactic is a classic: agencies retain ownership of your domain, hosting, or CMS logins. Suddenly, the website you paid for becomes their bargaining chip.
They register your domain in their name. They build your site on their server. They create all the accounts under their email. And when it’s time to leave?
They’ll offer to “sell it back” or just ghost you completely.
Control. Power. And let’s be honest: lazy client retention.
Holding your website hostage makes it painful to leave. It’s like putting a bear trap on your digital future.
If you paid for it, you should own it. That includes:
If your agency refuses to give this up? That’s a red flag in neon.
We build it, you own it. Period. No lock-ins, no strings, no fine print. We believe your digital presence should work for you—not be held against you.
Need help untangling yourself from a digital hostage situation?
The scenarios and examples described in this article reflect common industry practices that we believe small business owners should be aware of. They are not intended to accuse any specific company or competitor. At Digital Rebel, we believe that informed clients make the best partners, and our mission is to promote ethical, transparent, and results-driven digital marketing for all.
If you’re unsure who really owns your site, you’re not alone. These common questions can help you take back control:
You should. Always. Your domain should be registered under an account you control with your contact information.
Only if your contract gives them ownership. If you paid for development, you should retain rights. Check your agreement.
Full admin access to your website CMS, domain registrar, hosting platform, Google Analytics, and Search Console.
That can be tricky. If your agency used a custom platform they own, you may not be able to move your site. Use open platforms like Craft CMS.
Start by requesting admin rights in writing. If they refuse, consider legal counsel or expert support. We can help you navigate it.
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At Digital Rebel Marketing, we don't just build websites. We engineer AI-optimized growth machines. We're the team B2B founders, SaaS upstarts, and service pros turn to when they’re done burning cash on PPC and ready to turn their website into a 24/7 sales asset. Our specialty? Websites that dominate Answer Engines like Google's AI Overview, Bing Copilot, and ChatGPT Search. And we back it all with smart HubSpot strategy that ties it together from first click to closed deal to customer retention.
From our HQ in the Heart of Texas, we serve ambitious brands nationwide. If you're in the U.S. and want your marketing to grow up, show up, and start pulling its weight, we're your people.