At Hype, we’ve recently seen some shocking examples of businesses trapped in frustrating relationships with their website service providers. Stories of agencies refusing to hand over website logins, withholding ownership of domain names (that clients paid for), and charging eye-watering fees for the simplest of updates. We’ve seen cases where businesses have been stuck paying overinflated hosting and maintenance fees for years yet ignored entirely when they need urgent website support.

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s time to ask yourself: Are you in control of your website, or is your web agency controlling you?

The Red Flags of a Bad Website Provider

A good website agency should be an asset to your business, not a liability. But too often, we see agencies operating in ways that are outright predatory. Here are some warning signs that your provider is holding you hostage:

No access to your own website – If you don’t have full admin access to your CMS or hosting account, that’s a major red flag.

• They own your domain name – You paid for it, but they registered it under their own name. That’s a power move, not a service.
• Overcharging for minor updates – Making simple content edits shouldn’t cost hundreds (or thousands) of dollars.
• Excessive hosting and security fees – Charging premium prices for basic services without clear justification.
• Unresponsiveness – If you’re waiting days (or weeks) for replies, your agency isn’t prioritising your business.

Not All Agencies Work This Way

Here’s the good news: There are agencies out there that respect your business, your budget, and your right to full control over your own digital assets.

At Hype, we operate with full transparency. Our clients:

• Own their domains – Even if we initially register the domain for our clients, we are happy to transfer ownership to the client’s domain manager in their name.
• Have full website access – No gatekeeping. We grant full admin access to the key website managers in your organisation. They can do updates at any time. 
• Get fair, upfront pricing – No surprise charges for updates or inflated hosting costs.
• Receive responsive service – We can offer 24/7 website support to act as an extension of your team, not a roadblock.

It’s Time to Take Back Control

If your current provider is making life difficult, it’s time to move on. You deserve a website partner who respects your business and works in your best interests—not one who sees you as a captive revenue stream.

If you’re ready for a transparent, collaborative, and hassle-free website service, let’s talk.