Insight

Pixel Agency was founded by a team that had been through exactly this. Before we started Pixel Agency, several of us were employees at another agency that failed due to mismanagement by its owner. We saw firsthand what that meant for clients who were not prepared for it. If we were to advise clients on what to do to reduce their risk if their agency closes, here’s what we would say:

• Host your website yourself: The most dangerous situation is having your website hosted by your agency. If the agency closes and the hosting bills stop being paid, your site goes offline. Ideally, you should own and manage your own hosting. If that is not practical, make sure you receive regular backups (every time your website/app is updated) of your files and database, so you can move quickly if you need to.
• Own your app store credentials: If your app is published on an app store, make sure you own the developer account and credentials. Your developer should be invited to the account as a collaborator, not given the keys to the house. If the agency closes and you don’t have access, you won’t be able to update or manage your app.
• Own your code: If your website or app is custom built, make sure you have access to the source code. If the agency closes and you don’t have the code, you can’t maintain or update your website. If the agency refuses to give you the code, that’s a red flag. You should be able to get a copy of the code at any time, even if you are not paying for ongoing support.
• Own your content: If your website or app has content that is not stored in the code (e.g. images, videos, documents), make sure you have access to that content. If the agency closes and you don’t have the content, you can’t maintain or update your website. Ideally, you should have a copy of all content stored in a separate location from the website itself.
• Own your domain: Your domain needs to be registered in your name and managed by you, not your agency. If the agency manages your domain and stops paying the renewal, your domain lapses. Even a perfect copy of your website is useless without it.
• Own your plugin licences: Many websites rely on paid plugins, and agencies sometimes manage those licences on the client's behalf. If those licences are in the agency's account and payments stop, the plugins fail and the website breaks. Know which plugins your site uses, who holds the licences, and what it would take to transfer them.
• Have a real contact inside the agency: This sounds like common sense, but it matters. If you have a relationship with someone on the team, not just a ticketing system, you are more likely to get early warning if something is going wrong. That lead time can make a real difference.

None of these require a technical background. They are questions you can ask your agency at any time, and a good one will give you clear answers.

Still have questions? Give us a call or send us a message to understand more without any pushy sales tactics.