Can I take my website if I switch builders?
Yes, you can take your website if you own the code and domain outright. Most website builders keep you locked in by hosting your site on their servers under their terms. True ownership means you control the code, can download it, and host it anywhere. SiteFly lets you own your code outright as a one-time purchase, so you're never trapped.
- Own your code outright to avoid builder lock-in and keep your digital asset portable.
- Domain ownership is separate from hosting—register it independently so no builder controls it.
- Switching builders is easiest when you own both code and domain; otherwise you'll rebuild.
- Request your site files and database before leaving any builder; some make it deliberately hard.
- Hosting is just rented server space—you can move it anytime if you own what's on it.
What does it actually mean to own your website?
Owning your website means you control three things: the code (the actual files that make it work), the domain (your URL), and the data (your content, customer info, etc.). If a builder owns any of these, they own your site—not you.
Most builders keep you locked in by hosting your site on their servers and refusing to give you the code. You're renting access, not owning the asset. It's like leasing a car forever instead of buying one.
- You own the code: you can download it, read it, modify it, or move it to another host.
- You own the domain: you registered it independently (not through the builder) and can point it anywhere.
- You own the data: you can export your content, customer records, and settings anytime.
Website ownership is meaningless unless you control the code, domain, and data—otherwise you're just renting access.
Why do builders lock you in?
Lock-in is profitable. If you can't leave without rebuilding from scratch, you're stuck paying them forever. Builders make more money from trapped customers than from customers who could walk away.
The honest builders (and SiteFly is one) let you own your code and domain so you can leave guilt-free. That confidence actually builds loyalty—you stay because you want to, not because you're trapped.
Builders that lock you in profit from your inability to leave; builders that don't profit from your trust.
How do you actually take your website when you switch?
If you own your code and domain, switching is straightforward. You download your code from the old builder, upload it to a new host, and point your domain there. It takes a few hours of technical work, but it's doable.
If the old builder owns your code, you have to rebuild the entire site from scratch on the new platform. That's why ownership matters so much—it's the difference between moving and starting over.
- Request your code and database files from your current builder in writing.
- Register your domain independently (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.) so the builder can't hold it hostage.
- Once you own both, you can move to any new host without losing anything.
- If the builder refuses to give you your code, you're locked in—that's a red flag.
Switching builders with code ownership takes hours; switching without it takes weeks and costs thousands in rebuilding.
What about your domain—can they take that too?
Only if you let them register it for you under their account. If you register your domain independently through a registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap, the builder can't touch it. You control it forever.
Some builders offer "free" domains as a setup incentive. That's a trap. They register it under their account, so if you leave, you lose the domain or have to pay them to transfer it. Always register your domain yourself.
Register your domain independently through a third-party registrar, never through your website builder.
Questions people also ask
What if my current builder won't give me my code when I ask?
That's illegal in most places—your code is your property. Document the request in writing, give them 30 days, then escalate to your credit card company or a lawyer. Most builders fold when you get serious. If they still refuse, you'll have to rebuild, which is why ownership upfront matters.
Does owning my code mean I have to know how to code?
No. You own it the same way you own a car without being a mechanic. You can hire a developer to modify it, move it, or maintain it. Ownership just means you're not locked into one builder's ecosystem.
Can I move my website to a different host but keep the same builder?
Only if the builder allows it—most don't. They profit from hosting you, so they bundle code and hosting together. SiteFly lets you own your code outright, so you can host it anywhere, including their servers or a competitor's.
What's the difference between owning my domain and owning my website?
Domain is just the URL (yourshop.com). Website is the code, design, and content. You need to own both to be truly independent. You can own the domain but not the code, or vice versa—but you're only truly free when you own both.
If I own my code, do I still need to pay for hosting?
Yes. Hosting is the server space where your code lives. You can own your code and still pay a hosting company to run it. The difference is you can switch hosts anytime without rebuilding—you just move your code to a new server.
Current plans and prices live on the pricing page, and the FAQ answers the questions we hear most.