Do I own my website if I pay monthly?
On a monthly plan, your website usually stays live as a managed service while you’re subscribed, rather than being owned outright. But you should always own your domain — and with Dicitil, you do. Owning the code outright is the once-off option.
“Ownership” is where a lot of business owners get burned, so it’s worth understanding clearly before you sign anything.
Domain vs code — the key distinction
These are two different things, and the difference matters enormously:
- Your domain (e.g. yourbusiness.co.za) is your address — you should always own it
- The code is the site itself — on monthly it’s provided as a service; on once-off you own it
- Never work with anyone who won’t let you own your domain
What “managed service” really means
On a monthly plan, you’re paying for a fully looked-after website — hosting, updates, security and support included. It stays live while you’re subscribed. It’s lower upfront and hands-off, which suits many businesses well.
How to avoid being held hostage
Simple rules: own your domain, get clear terms in writing, and choose a provider with a clean exit. At Dicitil there’s no lock-in — your domain is always yours.
Want clear terms with no lock-in?
Get My Free Growth PlanQuestions, answered
Can I move my site later?
With a once-off build, yes — it’s yours. On monthly, your domain moves with you; the managed site stays with the subscription.
Who owns my domain?
You do — always. That’s non-negotiable at Dicitil.