How do I take my website back from an agency?
Politely, in writing, and with a checklist: domain control, hosting access or a full export, CMS admin, analytics, and any licences. A professional agency hands it over in days; friction is your signal about how the relationship really was.
The longer answer
In practice.
The full checklist
Domain registrar login or transfer-out authorisation, hosting account or
complete site export including database, CMS admin (not editor) access, DNS
control, analytics and search-console ownership, email routing details, and any
plugin or theme licences bought on your behalf.
The traps
Domains registered in the agency's name (test yours today), "proprietary
platform" sites that cannot leave without a rebuild, and page-builder licences
that expire with the relationship. None are fatal; all are better discovered
before you need to move.
The landing
I receive handovers regularly, per rescues:
audit what arrives, close gaps, and set you up owning everything so this is the
last time you ask anyone this question.
Same rabbit hole