Do I own my website?
Yes, on both paths. Your domain and your content are yours from day one. On an owned build you get the source code at launch. On a lease-to-own plan, 36 monthly payments pay the site off and the code transfers to you then — or sooner if you buy it out early.
What does 'take the code anywhere' actually mean?
We hand over a complete code repository. Any competent developer can host it on their platform of choice. There's no proprietary page builder, no license key, and no template subscription holding it hostage.
Can I cancel a lease-to-own plan?
Yes, with 30 days' notice. We release your domain, export your content and photos, and give you a clean handoff. You don't take the source code unless the site is paid off, and there's no exit fee.
Can I pay off a leased site early?
Yes. Tell us and we'll quote the payoff based on the tier you're on and the payments you've already made, then deliver the code the same way an owned build gets it.
Does a Smart Site cost anything after I own it?
Yes — $297 a month. Smart Sites run on databases, AI answering, booking and quoting flows, and third-party integrations that all sit on paid infrastructure, so a $297/mo tech stack subscription keeps that stack licensed, hosted, monitored, and updated after the build is paid off. Simple and Custom Sites have no required monthly.
Who owns the copy you write for me?
You do. Original copy, page structure, and any photography we shoot for you transfer to you. Licensed stock imagery transfers under the terms of its license.
What if my site goes down after I take the code?
Once you're self-hosting, uptime is on you or your host. We're still happy to help — email hello@hollisterwebsites.com and we'll quote support, or you can move onto a Care Plan.
Do you hold my domain hostage?
Never. The domain is registered in your name. If we manage it for convenience, we transfer it on request without a fee or a delay.