Do You Own Your Blog?

So you’re about to get a blog.  Maybe you’ve recently bought one, and are putting the time and effort into updating it.  Everyone is well intentioned from the get go, and you’re hopefully embarking on a great path to get repeatable results for your business.   You’ve had the company you’re working with design it, and you’re 100% ready to move forward.  But there are a few key questions that you have to know before you start.

Do You Own Your Design?

One of the most shocking things is that many blogging companies really don’t give you design or mod rights to the work that you paid them to do.  Really.  You don’t get to change it without their consent.  You don’t “own” the design.  It’s not portable, it stays with the company.  No good company practices business this way in 2009.

Get it?  You have to be sure that you own your own design otherwise there will be lots of “gotchas” waiting around the corner.

What Happens If/When The Company Goes Out Of Business?

Big question.  What’s the plan, stan.  Are you backed up all the time?  Are you dependent on the company staying afloat to have a web presence?  What kind of downtime will there be?  That is information you gotta know before you work with someone.  Especially if they aren’t using WordPress, Drupal or Joomla as their CMS.

Nobody intends to go out of business, but you need to know: where the files are hosted (hint: it’s not in “someone’s basement,” how long the hosting is paid up, and what DOES happen if they aren’t around.  Assuring you that they aren’t in trouble isn’t enough.  Make sure that they are hosted and have a  backup plan in place.

Do You Get the Source Files?

Another doozy.  Don’t work with anyone that keeps the .psd files away from you.  You want all the files they used and rights to all the code.  This is pretty basic, but you don’t want to be at the caprices of some dude when it comes to upgrading and stuff.  You want to make sure that you’re able to modify your design as needed.

Again, if the company goes out of business, or if you have issues hosting with them, then you’ll not be in the lurch if you want to make changes.  Also, many places charge for really simple changes, and having the files yourself allows you to do it yourself or seek someone cheaper.

What Are the “Traps” Locking You In To Your Site?

No FTP Access is one of ‘em, a proprietary CMS is another.  Make sure you’re aware of what happens.  We use WordPress not necessarily because it’s the best (though it is), but because it’s widely available.  You’re not stuck with us if something goes wrong. There aren’t tricks or traps.  Your company should have the same mindset: we love the opportunity to serve you, but we aren’t entitled to it.

As we finish the creation of this site, everything we do will be with that in mind.  Good stuff for the customer, good stuff for you, good times had by all.

Let me know at 614-432-8758 if there is anything I  can do for you, and you can always email chris@flatratewebjobs.com.  I’m around, and I welcome conversation.