Website ownership plays a major factor when you’re in the market for a new website and consulting with a website provider. In today’s digital world, the decision to own or rent your website carries significant implications for businesses in the hospitality industry. Whether it’s changes you want made to the site or your ability to keep anything should you leave your web design company, there are plenty of reasons why you should give this factor some thought. Let’s explore this topic more deeply and uncover why owning your website might be the right call for your business.
Who’s Got Control?
Owning your website is like holding the keys to your digital storefront. It’s not just about having a place to call your own—it’s about having the power to shape aspects of your identity. From the initial design to the nitty-gritty details, ownership allows you to tailor your website precisely to your brand’s unique personality.
Conversely, some website providers will build your site and still own it, which means you relinquish control. While these companies might offer bundles, deals, and ease of use, they often have limitations regarding customization, functionality, and portability.
Branding and Credibility
Your website isn’t just a digital storefront—it’s the face of your brand in the sea of businesses online. It’s where potential customers come to learn about who you are, what you stand for, and why they should trust you. When you own your website, you have the power to craft a cohesive brand image through visual design and tone of voice that resonates with your audience. And remember, consistency is key. Owning your website allows you to maintain that consistency across all touchpoints, reinforcing brand recognition and credibility with every click.
Alternatively, while website designers who maintain ownership of the site may promise convenience and efficiency, they often follow a cookie-cutter approach. This can ultimately fail to capture the unique essence of your brand. Without the ability to customize your website to reflect your brand’s personality and values, you risk blending into the crowd rather than standing out.
Long-Term Sustainability
Your website isn’t just a digital presence—it’s an investment in the future success of your business. Remember that when you own your website, you own a digital asset that can appreciate over time, adding value to your brand and providing a solid foundation for growth. Once it’s built, it’s yours. Please note that not all choices are the best, so we’d highly recommend teaming up with a group of professionals who can advise and help you along the way. But even then, the site is still yours and you make the final call.
In contrast, not owning your website means you’re at the mercy of external forces beyond your control. For example, if your web developer, who owns your site, merges or goes out of business, you might lose your site. Alternatively, if you decide to work with another web designer to update your site or make changes, you may be forced to start from scratch.
Financial Implications
Keep in mind that while paying for a site that you own may seem more expensive, renting a site that you don’t own can ultimately end up costing you more money. For example, paying $300 per month for the rest of your relationship may seem manageable at first. However, by the halfway point of the second year, depending on the size of your site, you could end up spending more than twice or even three times the amount it would cost to purchase and own the website outright.
There are pros and cons to both sides of this argument. We at InsideOut Solutions believe our clients should maintain ownership of their websites. So when we build your website, you’ll own it as soon as it’s launched. Again, we’d still highly recommend you work with a team of experts who will help advise you to make the right decisions and to keep the site up to date and running properly. We know how taxing and time-consuming your line of work can be. So why not have a team dedicated to monitoring everything so you don’t have to? Just a thought!
Stay Informed, Stay Thriving!
InsideOut Solutions creates a new blog post every week, so subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay updated with our recent blog posts! Feel free to contact us with any inquiries or if you require support with your property’s website design, digital marketing, content creation, hosting, or print & graphic design. Websites are our specialty, and with over 29 years in the industry and four generations of expertise, we are here for you.