Website ownership and handover: what should you receive?
Understand source code, materials, deployment instructions and the separate work of moving a live website.
Published by NikaliSoft · Nikali Ltd · Published: · Updated:
The included handover
After full payment, NikaliSoft hands over the website source code, client materials and brief deployment instructions, subject to third-party component licenses. Your business facts, logo and images must be supplied with the right to use them.
If ongoing service ends, available data and uploaded files are also handed over where applicable, with a description of required external services. Standard informational packages do not include a content-management dashboard.
A ZIP is not a running website
A source-code ZIP contains files, not necessarily a configured hosting environment, live data, DNS settings or active mail services. Deployment may need a compatible runtime, build configuration and separately arranged external services.
Check hosting compatibility before development and confirm dependencies in the written quote. Third-party libraries, images and services remain subject to their licenses and account conditions. Handover does not mean that every supplier account or subscription transfers automatically.
Handover versus migration
Included handover supplies materials and instructions. Migration assistance and configuration with a new provider are separately quoted. Agree who sets up hosting, restores available data, changes website DNS, verifies HTTPS and tests the forms.
Your domain should be registered to you; renewal and management responsibilities need an explicit agreement. Existing email stays in place unless an email move is separately agreed. Do not cancel the old service before the transition has been planned and checked.
Keeping support optional
Hosting and Care are optional and separate from development. Care includes a limited allowance for minor changes, not unlimited editing or new functionality. You may use another developer after handover.
Agree renewal, cancellation and the treatment of annual prepayments before choosing ongoing services. Keep an accessible inventory of materials, licenses, service accounts and renewal dates.
Checklist
- Receive source code and client materials.
- Receive deployment and external-service instructions.
- Confirm domain ownership and renewals.
- Request a separate migration quote and test before cancellation.