Attention all business owners! Do you know the answer to this question: Who gets to keep the website after you divorce your webmaster?

Just like in a marriage, it all depends on the pre-nuptial agreement (contract). Do you have one?

My personal disclaimer: Some of this information may be about legal issues; however this article is not intended as a substitute for legal advice. I am not an attorney nor do I play one on webTV therefore you should consult with an attorney familiar with the laws concerning internet and intellectual property.

Ok, now on with the story, the short version. . .

Here's the situation, for whatever reason the client decided not to pay their annual bill for web hosting services. Even though there were several attempts to reach the client the bill went unpaid for more than 90 days. As a result, the hosting was cancelled and the site was removed from the server.

Several months later the client sent this exact message: "you have my website and I need you to let me know how to get it back, like I said before I paid you money to build it so....? that money had nothing to do with hosting or anything".

Just because you paid for the development of your website does not mean you own it. There are Intellectual Property laws designed to protect the creator and to encourage the creator to create. If you hired a company they own the software development and website design produced by its employees. If you hired an independent contractor you must obtain a written "assignment" of the copyright in the commissioned work from them.

Most business owners unknowingly give their webmaster complete control over their business website. Even if you don't have a pre-nuptial agreement (contract) or own your website you can still maintain some control. While you and your webmaster are honeymooning be sure you can document the answer to these questions:

1. What software was used to develop the website?

• Exact name
• Version
• Software website

2. How to access the code?

3. Where is the code located on the server?

4. How to change the content?

• Graphics
• Text

5. How to create a weekly back up?

6. How to grant access to additional users?

7. How to obtain the master copies of your website design?

As a business owner, how many people realize their webmaster is like their spouse? Voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce), not many! Just like in marriage a prenuptial agreement (contract) is a practical solution to dealing with the risks and problematic topic of who gets to keep the website after your divorce.

As an athlete, or someone who is coaching athletes, you have a unique viewpoint of your sport and can profit from it online! Here's a list of reasons why you need to bring your knowledge to the internet today:

1. You need more money. You may have a job you love, and even make decent money. You may hate your job and get paid peanuts. Either way, a web business can help! You will be able to make a decent side income to supplement what you have, or even make a career out of your online business.

2. You need more time. Having an online business means you can create passive income, and free up the amount of time you have to spend working.

3. You can give back to the world. Creating a site around a concept that you are aware of or that you already teach others means bringing those ideas to the world. If you are an expert in a certain sport why keep everything to yourself? If you are a coach, why not teach to a massive audience instead of a small, local one?

4. You are an individual and don't like bosses. Who likes to have a boss, even one that you get along with? A web business can eventually free you from this seemingly inevitable human condition, of having to answer to someone besides yourself.

5. You want a flexible schedule. Maybe you love your coaching job and always want to do it, but it doesn't pay the bills. Maybe you just want to leave the 8-5 world and create your own hours. Either way, a web business is a great way to great freedom daily, and not be a slave to a schedule.

You've got plenty of reasons. Now it's time to take the first step in starting your sports business online!

Every one of us wants to create a successful website. No one wants to fail. As a consequence of this many of us are out there looking for the silver bullet. Now to me the silver bullet lies within you. You are the key to your success. Of course this sounds nice but how can it be applied in practical terms?

Firstly you like anyone else go online to seek solutions. Your idea right now is that you want to make money. So you are going to search out opportunities that enable you to achieve this.

As a result of this you are going to come across a lot of information and the information that seems the most believable to you is the one you will choose to obtain. However there is also another element at play and that is emotion. The site that outlines the benefits that speak best to your emotional desires will be the one that you approve.

To build a successful website you can use yourself as the model. In other words when people visit your site are you going to outline the benefits that speak to their emotional desires and furthermore will you provide proof by helping them to connect the dots which will make it believable for them that they can reach the goal that they desire to reach.

If your website is built in this way where you genuinely help others achieve their objective then your site will be naturally successful. It really is as simple as that but that does not mean that the work will not be challenging because it will - but if you are determined and build you site with the visitor in mind then the rest is history.