Website Ownership for Public Agencies: Why It Matters 

Your website plays a critical role in how the public accesses services, resources, and information. But if your agency’s site is built on a proprietary platform like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify, it might not be serving you—or your audience—as well as it should. 

Here’s why website ownership matters for public entities: 

• Transparency laws and recordkeeping often require backend access 
• Proprietary platforms may restrict access to code or hosting flexibility 
• Changing vendors could mean recreating your entire site 
• Data security and accessibility may be harder to control 

At Stamp, we help government agencies and nonprofits build flexible, compliant websites using open-source platforms like WordPress and ExpressionEngine. That means: 

• You own the full site—design, data, and hosting 
• You can migrate, scale, and secure your site as needed 
• Full ADA Compliance  
• You stay in control of your investment—even if your vendor changes 

Open Source vs. Proprietary: What’s the Difference?   

Open-source platforms (like WordPress and ExpressionEngine):   

• Use code that’s freely available and community-supported   
• Can be hosted on virtually any server, so you’re free to move your site as needed   
• Give you access to the full code and database with full design & functionality control   
• Subscription costs are generally low, but scalable depending on features   
• You own the site and data   
• There can be a slight learning curve, and it’ll require a trusted developer partner   

Proprietary platforms (like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify):   

• Tied to the platform, locking you into their hosting and software ecosystem   
• Often restrict access to backend code or database exports   
• Make migration difficult or impossible without rebuilding   
• Limited customization, but ease of use with drag-and-drop content in most cases   
• Bundle features—but at the cost of flexibility   
• Subscriptions can be costly and include features you don’t need   

So… Do You Own Your Website?   

If you’re unsure, that’s a red flag. Ownership means control, flexibility, and the ability to grow on your own terms. Whether you run a state agency, non-profit, association, or other public service organization, you don’t want to be renting your most important marketing tool. 

In public service, flexibility and accountability are non-negotiable. Your website should reflect those same values. At Stamp, we help organizations build flexible, secure, and future-ready websites that put them in control. Let’s build a service website you can truly call your own. Let’s connect.