As a freelancer, I'd like to know if it's smart to handle my clients' domain registrations and hosting. I plan to make everything clear in my contract stating that they own their website and domain but I'll temporarily manage it during a six-month hosting period. I want to help reduce their costs so they don't feel tied down to a service they might not need, but I'm worried about the implications of transferring the domain later, especially if something unexpected happens and I'm not around. What strategies do other freelancers or small agencies use? How do I ensure my clients feel secure without making them reliant on me?
5 Answers
It’s great that you’re starting with integrity! However, you should consider what happens if you become unavailable. Let your clients register their own domains with delegation options available at registrars like Cloudflare or Netlify. This keeps them in control while you manage DNS settings—giving peace of mind to both parties.
I’ve found it works best when clients own everything right from the get-go. I help them with the setup and initial management, but they control the access. It builds trust and ensures they know they can walk away if needed without getting tangled in any obligations. Your pricing model looks good—just make sure not to undercut yourself after the initial period!
I totally get where you’re coming from. You should definitely make sure your clients own their domains and hosting. I guide my clients through registering their domains, and they appreciate the transparency. If something goes wrong, they blame the right party instead of you. Plus, your method of offering support after the six-month period without trapping them sounds solid.
A good approach is to clarify everything in your contract and make sure to offer assistance in managing their registrations. During my consultations, I always outline how they can delegate access to me if they want help, but they get the bills and ownership from day one. Trust comes from transparency!
You’re thinking about this the right way! Letting clients manage their domains helps them stay in control. I’d recommend you include consulting sessions where you can walk them through domain registration and management. This way, they know they can step away anytime if they need to and they won't feel dependent on your services.
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