What a web design contract should cover
This is not legal advice, and a solicitor should review anything significant. It is a list of what to make sure is written down.
The essentials
- Scope. What is being built, listed specifically. Page count, features, integrations.
- Exclusions. What is not included. This matters more than the inclusions.
- Price and payment schedule. One fixed figure, and when each portion is due.
- Timeline. A launch date, and what shifts it.
- Your obligations. What you supply and by when. Deadlines that only bind one side are not deadlines.
- Revisions. How many rounds, what counts as a round, what happens beyond them.
- Ownership. That domain, hosting, design files and content transfer to you on final payment.
- Defects. How long after launch faults are fixed free, and what counts as a fault versus a new request.
- Cancellation. What happens if either side stops, and who owns work done so far.
Clauses worth reading carefully
Liability cap. Most agreements limit the designer's liability, often to the value of the contract. That is normal. What is not normal is a cap of zero, or excluding liability for things the law does not allow to be excluded.
Governing law. Which country's law applies and where disputes are heard. If your designer is overseas, this determines how practical enforcement would actually be.
Portfolio rights. Most designers reserve the right to show your site in their portfolio. Usually harmless, occasionally not — say so upfront if your work is confidential.
Automatic renewal. Common in maintenance agreements. Check the notice period.
A designer who resists a written agreement is telling you how disputes will go. The agreement protects both sides — its absence only ever protects one.
Common questions
01Do I need a lawyer?
For a small project, a clear written agreement covering the points above is usually proportionate. For anything substantial, or if you are signing the designer's own terms, having a solicitor read it is money well spent.
02Can an email be a contract?
In many jurisdictions an exchange of emails agreeing specific terms can form a binding agreement. That said, a single document is far easier to rely on than a thread. Get it into one place.
03What if they use their own contract?
That is normal, and fine. Read it properly, particularly liability, ownership and cancellation. Ask for changes if something is unreasonable — a professional will discuss it.
Get a fixed quote in writing
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