A new website feels like a big step. You want to get it up and running, so you might rush through the first call. But the questions you skip now are exactly the ones that cause headaches later. Here's a checklist to bring to that first conversation with whoever will build your site. Ask about these five things before you agree to anything.
1. Whose name is on the domain?
Your domain, like yourbusiness.com, is the address customers type or tap to reach your site. If someone else registered it under their own account, you depend on that person for renewals, moves, or any changes. Many developers register domains under their own account because it's faster. But later, when you want to switch providers, you need that person to give you access. If they don't respond, you waste time and could lose control of your brand.
Ask directly: 'Will the domain be registered under my name, my email, and my payment method?' The right answer for a business owner is yes. If you already own a domain, don't just hand it over. Keep it in an account you control and add the developer as a technical contact if needed. Also ask who pays for renewal and when it expires. A forgotten domain can fall into someone else's hands.
At Páginas Web en PR, we believe the owner should control the domain from day one. If you're evaluating a provider, you can contact us to ask how we hand over that control clearly.
2. Who pays for and controls the hosting?
Hosting is the space on a server where your website lives. If the developer sets it up under their own account, you don't see invoices, you don't get alerts, and you can't move the site when you want. That creates an uncomfortable dependency. If the relationship goes bad, your site could go offline because the account isn't in your name.
Ask: 'Will the hosting account be in my name, with the developer as a technical collaborator?' Ideally, you own the account and grant access to the developer. That way, if you hire someone else tomorrow, you can give them access without fighting over passwords. Also ask what hosting costs per year, who pays it, and what's included: security certificate, backups, business email space.
If a provider says hosting is 'included' without giving you access, ask for details. You should be able to see your own invoice or at least have a copy of the login credentials. This isn't about distrust; it's about protecting your business. Check our pricing page to see how we handle hosting with nothing hidden.
3. Who can edit the site after launch?
Many business owners end up trapped because every change requires calling the developer and waiting. A simple change to your hours or adding a new menu item shouldn't cost you phone calls or days. Before you hire, ask: 'Will I be able to make basic edits myself, or will I always have to ask you?'
The ideal answer is that they hand over a simple editing system, or at least make the maintenance cost clear from the start. If you have a menu, a product catalog, or a news section, ask how each of those gets updated. Also ask if edits can be made from a phone, because many owners in Puerto Rico work from their phone, not a desktop computer.
Some providers will give you a manual or a short video. Ask to see an example of how a page is edited before you sign. If the answer is 'don't worry, we handle that,' ask what they charge per change. That way you avoid surprises when you need to publish a promotion on a Friday night.
4. What happens if the relationship ends?
Business relationships change. You might want a different developer, or the developer might close their operation. If you didn't make things clear at the start, you could lose access to your site, your domain, or your content. That's a preventable disaster.
Ask: 'If we part ways, what exactly do I get?' You should receive all login credentials, a full backup of the site, and a written statement that you own the domain and hosting. Some developers hesitate to give up control because it means losing recurring income. That's a red flag. A decent provider will agree to a clean handover process.
If you're unsure what a fair handover looks like, ask the provider to spell it out in the contract before you sign.
5. Get the scope and price in writing before work starts.
Verbal promises don't protect you. Ask for a written proposal that lists exactly what you're paying for: pages, features, revisions, and any ongoing costs. Does it include training, content migration, or basic SEO? If something isn't in the proposal, assume it isn't included.
Also ask about the timeline: when will the project start, when will it finish, and what happens if it's delayed. Don't accept vague answers like 'it depends' without a clear range. A written agreement protects both sides. It doesn't have to be complicated, but it should be specific. Before you sign, read it carefully. If you have questions, ask them now, not after the first invoice.