The verdict in three sentences
Dependence on an agency isn't technical, it's contractual and administrative: whoever holds the domain, the hosting, and the credentials holds your site. Too many SMEs in Senegal discover, when leaving, that they own neither their domain nor their source code. The good news: with a rigorous exit checklist, a clean transfer takes 5 to 10 days with no service interruption.
Auditing what you actually own
Before switching agencies, you must know what belongs to you. Three assets are critical: the domain name, the hosting, and the source code. One client in two discovers the domain is registered under the agency's name, not theirs, giving the agency total blocking power.
| Asset | Who should hold it | Warning sign | How to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain name | You (registrant) | Agency = owner contact | WHOIS / registrar |
| Hosting | You or in your name | Invoice in agency's name | Panel access (cPanel/Vercel) |
| Source code | You (if custom-built) | No shared Git repo | Request repo access |
| Analytics/SEO accounts | You | Agency's Google account | Search Console owner role |
| Professional emails | You | Mailboxes managed by agency | Mail admin access |
The agency exit checklist
A clean exit follows a precise order to avoid any downtime. First reclaim access, then prepare the migration, and only then transfer the domain. A domain transfer between registrars generally takes 5 to 7 days due to the mandatory security delay.
| Step | Timeline | Typical cost (FCFA) | Risk if skipped |
|---|---|---|---|
| Get authorization code (EPP) | 1 – 2 d | 0 | Domain locked |
| Domain transfer | 5 – 7 d | 8,000 – 15,000 (renewal) | Loss of name |
| Code buyout / export | 2 – 5 d | 100,000 – 400,000 | Start from scratch |
| Hosting migration | 1 – 3 d | 0 – 50,000 | Site downtime |
| Analytics account transfer | 1 d | 0 | Loss of history |
A code buyout is only needed if the original contract didn't include the assignment of rights, a point to negotiate right in the initial quote.
Mini case study
Moussa, who runs a logistics SME in Thiès, wants to leave his agency after three years. He discovers his domain is registered under the agency's name and that no code access was ever handed over. After negotiation, he obtains the EPP authorization code, transfers his domain in 6 days (12,000 FCFA renewal), and buys back his custom code for 250,000 FCFA. The migration to a new host happens overnight, with no visible outage. Total exit cost: 262,000 FCFA, for a site fully under his control going forward (2026 estimate).
FAQ
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Can the agency refuse to give back my domain?
If the domain is registered in your name, no. If it's in theirs, they can complicate the transfer, which is why you should verify the registrant from the start via WHOIS.
Do I have to pay to reclaim my own code?
It depends on the contract. If the assignment of rights was included, no. Otherwise, a buyout often costs 100,000 to 400,000 FCFA depending on site complexity.
How long does a domain transfer take?
Between 5 and 7 days generally, because of the security delay imposed by registrars. The site stays online throughout the transfer if the DNS is well managed.
How do I avoid this trap in the future?
Require the domain to be registered in your name, have the code assignment written into the contract, and keep admin access to all your accounts.
Will I lose my ranking by switching agencies?
Not if the migration keeps the URLs and redirects. A host change alone doesn't affect SEO; it's an uncontrolled redesign that threatens it.
Let's talk about your project. We audit your site's ownership for free and organize a clean agency exit, with no interruption. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
