When your web design project wraps up, there's a lot more to it than just handing you a finished website. A good web designer should give you everything you need to manage, maintain, and grow your site. Here's the complete checklist of what you should expect to receive.

1. Login Credentials and Access

You need full access to everything. This means administrator passwords for your CMS, FTP credentials for your hosting, and any other account details. Your designer should create a master document with all usernames, passwords, and security questions securely stored. Better yet, they should set up a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password and grant you access directly so you can change passwords without needing to ask.

2. CMS Training and Documentation

Whether it's WordPress, Webflow, or a custom CMS, you should receive practical training on how to update pages, publish blog posts, and manage media. Your designer should provide written documentation with screenshots showing exactly how to do common tasks. A 30-minute video walkthrough is also worth asking for—it's worth far more than lengthy written guides you'll never read.

3. Hosting Details and Domain Information

You should own your domain and hosting. Get the registrar login details, hosting account access, and the nameserver information. Your designer should provide a clear document showing which company hosts your files, which company manages your domain, and how to access both. This matters far more than you might think—if your designer goes out of business or you want to switch, you need to be able to move your site independently.

4. Analytics and Tracking Setup

Your designer should set up Google Analytics 4 and Google Search Console, then add you as an owner so you can access the data. They should provide a simple report showing current setup and what the key metrics mean. If they've set up any tracking for conversions (like contact form submissions), that should be documented too so you know what to watch for.

5. Backup and Recovery Information

Ask how backups work. Is there an automated backup system? Who has access to it? How often are backups taken? What's the process for restoring a backup if something goes wrong? Your hosting company often handles this, but it's worth confirming. You should also get a full backup file of your website as of the handover date—keep this somewhere safe as your ultimate insurance policy.

6. Project Documentation

This includes design specs, colour codes, font names, responsive breakpoints, and any custom code used. If there are specific plugins or dependencies, document those too. You might not need this day-to-day, but if you hire another designer later, they'll need it to understand how your site is built and maintain consistency.

7. Support Terms and Ongoing Maintenance

Clarify what happens after launch. Does your designer offer ongoing support? Are there bugs or issues covered under warranty? What's the process for getting help? Many designers include a few weeks of free support post-launch but then move to hourly rates or retainer arrangements. Get this in writing so there's no confusion later.

8. Email Setup and Management

If your designer set up business email accounts (like hello@yourcompany.ie), you need the setup instructions and access. They should hand over the email configuration details, any auto-responder settings, and instructions on how to access webmail if you need it while away from your main computer.

9. SSL Certificate Information

Your website should be running on HTTPS (look for the padlock in your browser). Your designer should explain what SSL is, when it renews, and how it's automatically maintained. Most hosting companies handle this automatically these days, but it's worth confirming.

10. Third-Party Service Integrations

Does your site use payment processing, email marketing, booking systems, or other third-party services? Your designer should hand over access to these accounts or at least documentation on how they're configured. You need to know how to update payment details, change email templates, or modify booking settings without relying on your designer.

Red Flags: What You Should NOT Accept

• Your designer refuses to give you hosting or domain login details
• No documentation or training offered—you're expected to figure things out yourself
• Unclear about backup procedures or disaster recovery
• No written agreement about post-launch support
• They won't explain how analytics is set up or give you access
• Custom code that nobody else can understand or maintain
• Refusal to provide a backup of your website files

The Bottom Line

A professional handover process is the sign of a professional designer. You shouldn't feel lost or dependent on your designer after they've handed over your site. You should feel confident managing it yourself, with clear documentation and access to everything you own.

What should I check on my new website before signing off on the handover?

Test all functionality, verify your access to every system, confirm backups are in place, and review the documentation. Learn more in our guide on website audit for Irish businesses.

How long should post-launch support last after a website handover?

Most designers offer 2–4 weeks of free support after handover. Beyond that, clarify what ongoing support will cost. Our guide on website maintenance schedule and checklist covers what you should budget for ongoing support.

Ready to get your website done right?

Whether you're starting a new project or evaluating your current setup, we're here to help. Read our guide on choosing a web designer for the right questions to ask upfront. Or if you want to understand the full timeline of a web project, check out our week-by-week breakdown.