Recently, Jonathan Gicewicz of JEG DESIGN INC was asked by a client what would they need from a web developer in case something were to happen? You know, a falling out, a sale, or whatever? Well, this inspired us to create a checklist for you. A punch list of the 9 things you must have from your web developer, just in case…
What we’ll do is give you everything you need from your web developer via our own successful web developers Vermont — and we’ll let you know what each one of them is and what they do. Finally, we’ll give you some great news from your friends at JEG DESIGN INC!
Back to the list. The list consists of:
- Domain Registrar logins
- All hosting Logins – CPANEL & FTP
- Website CMS or WP ADMIN Log-ins
- Direct Access to hosting account technicians
- All Plugins Access
- Google Analytics
- Google Search Console
- Google My Business Listing
- Website File Backups
Let’s kick things off with —
DOMAIN REGISTRAR ACCOUNT LOGINS
A domain name registrar is a business that handles the reservation of domain names as well as the assignment of IP addresses for said domain names. Since IP addresses are numeric and long, domain names make it easier to access websites without having to be Rain Man and memorize the aforementioned IP address.
ALL HOSTING LOGINS – CPANEL & FTP
cPanel is an online Linux-based graphical interface (GUI) used as a control panel to simplify website and server management. cPanel allows you to publish websites, manage domains, organize web files, create email accounts, and more.
In other words, cPanel keeps you organized.
Another example of a hosting login is a File Transfer Protocol or FTP. An FTP is a collection of rules that govern how computers transfer files between systems over the internet. And websites use FTP for the uploading and downloading of files from their servers.
WEBSITE CMS / WordPress Dashboard
Simply put, Content Management Systems help users create and manage their websites. A CMS helps webmasters manage the many different resources, content types, and various data that make up modern websites.
Remember, your website is a living, breathing thing — the CMS is how you manage everything that goes on it.
DIRECT ACCESS TO HOSTING ACCOUNT TECHNICIANS
At its most primitive level, web hosting accounts give you access to the servers where you can store the files and information required to make a website or application. The servers connect to the internet to share and deliver that content to users.
Basically, your website would be a digital paperweight if you don’t have access to the servers. Hosting accounts make it live.
ALL PLUG-IN ACCESS
A plug-in is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing computer program. A plug-in is a way for your to customize your website.
Some reasons why you would have plug-ins include but are not limited to:
- to enable third-party developers to create abilities that extend an application
- to support easily adding new features
- to reduce the size of an application
- to separate source code from an application because of incompatible software licenses.
GOOGLE ANALYTICS
Google Analytics is the analytics platform for tracking site or app performance. It is part of a range of tools provided by Google that include Google Search Console (more on this in a moment) and Google Tag Manager.
Or in other words — performance. It helps you monitor performance.
Speaking of Google Search Console…
GOOGLE SEARCH CONSOLE
Search Console tools and reports help you measure your site’s Search traffic and performance, fix issues, and make your site shine in Google Search results.
If analytics provides you the data, Google Search Console is your measuring stick, while also allowing you to implement changes or fix problems to improve performance.
GOOGLE MY BUSINESS LISTING
Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to promote your Business Profile and business website on Google Search and Maps. With your Google My Business account, you can see and connect with your customers, post updates to your Business Profile, and see how customers are interacting with your business on Google.
Google My Business imperative if you want to keep fresh and provide your customer images, information, and so much more in their search queries.
And last, and certainly not least…
WEBSITE FILE BACKUPS
Website Backup allows you to back up your site and related databases via the aforementioned file transfer protocol (FTP) or Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) to a secure cloud location.
Do we need to say why this is important? Essentially, this backs up EVERYTHING you put on your site.
GOOD NEWS!
In the beginning, we told you why we were doing this — what can happen if you have a falling out with your web developer and they have all this information you didn’t know you needed to have. Now you know what you need and why you need it.
However, we said there was some good news, so here it is — JEG DESIGN INC provides all of this for you upfront. As soon as your site is done, you’ll have everything and anything you’ll need because, and this is the most important point to remember — it belongs to you. You own it.
To find out more, or for a free website estimate — contact JEG DESIGN INC, today!
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Written by Keith Hannigan. Keith is the co-owner and Chief Writer at SBI Content Creation LLC. A content writing company just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.
Main post photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash