Do You Own Your Online Reputation?
Your online reputation is like a giant trophy that your business earns every day. It should sit in your display case, not in someone else’s.
Unfortunately, many contractors and home service providers unwittingly allow marketing partners to keep the keys to their online presence. If you’re paying for web design, hosting, or lead generation, take a close look at who truly owns these assets! You might be surprised to learn your business could be “renting” its digital presence.
Here are 5 questions to ask to make sure that you are in control of the assets that comprise your online reputation.
Is My Marketing Company Holding My Website Hostage?
Some discount web design and hosting companies promise a low-cost, ready-made website. They add your logo, brand colors, and basic content. They say you’ll get a flood of leads and boosted search engine rankings.
But that’s not realistic and it doesn’t usually happen that way. Eventually, you decide to switch providers. That’s when you realize you can’t take your website with you.
In fact, your website isn’t yours. Like a landlord demanding you leave the furniture behind, the marketing company keeps your site, domain, and/or content.
We have seen this time and time again. Our hearts go out to these companies, but there isn’t much we can do and they end up having to start all over again.
Don’t let this happen to your business!
What Digital Assets Should Contractors Own?
All of them! Your company has to own all essential digital assets.
This includes:
- your company’s domain name
- the hosting account that keeps your website online
- all of your social media profiles
- your Google business profile
- any company email addresses
Your website code, content, and brand materials must remain under your control.
A marketing company can design and manage these items, but nothing should be in the marketing company’s name. Never let anyone else assume legal ownership. Even a trusted marketing partner like LeadsNearby should get no more than necessary access to your assets.
Think of it like building a house: you may hire a contractor to handle renovations, but you still hold the deed.
Why Is It Important To Maintain Ownership Of My Digital Presence?
Ownership protects your brand from unexpected upheaval.
If your marketing partner disappears or fails to deliver, you shouldn’t lose your website, online identity, and digital history. You’ve worked too hard building trust, generating reviews, and ranking in search engines to let someone else hold those assets.
By owning your domain, content, and social profiles, you secure your reputation against future uncertainty.
When Should I Share Or Grant Access To My Website?
Marketing companies often need access to your accounts to run ad campaigns, post content, or manage reviews.
Grant permissions only when necessary, using sub-accounts or limited roles to ensure they can complete tasks without gaining total control.
If the partnership ends, revoke or update these permissions. You wouldn’t leave a spare house key with an ex. The same logic applies to your digital properties.
What Are The Risks of Not Owning My Website And Online Reputation?
First of all, companies that are only renting online assets risk losing them if you leave the company renting them to you. That can also mean that you risk losing your lead data and search engine rankings.
Rebuilding from scratch is costly in both time and money.
Ultimately, your online reputation is too valuable to surrender. Investigate every agreement and invest in a website and tools you can control. Expand wisely into social media, reviews, and other channels that support your brand.
By owning these assets, you stand on a firm foundation—one that grows with your business and cannot be held hostage.
LeadsNearby is built to grow with your business! Contact us today to learn how we can support your service company at every turn.
Frequently Asked Questions: Online Reputation Ownership
Should I give my marketing company full control of my website?
No. Grant them only the access needed to manage campaigns and publish content. You should keep primary ownership of your website and domain.
How do I protect my online reputation?
Register your domain in your name, use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and regularly back up your site. This ensures you keep control and can restore data if necessary.
What if my current website is owned by someone else?
If you discover your site is owned by a marketing partner, clarify terms and conditions. You may need to negotiate a transfer of ownership or rebuild your digital assets under your own accounts.
Why is ownership more valuable than renting a digital platform?
Owning your digital platform ensures you can easily switch providers without losing rankings, content, and leads. Renting can lead to a sudden loss of your entire online presence if you part ways.
