Website Design Contract Checklist: What to Agree Before You Start
What a website design and development agreement should cover: scope, pages, content, revisions, timelines, payments, ownership, hosting, maintenance, support and ending the project.
On this page
- Agree scope, exclusions, content responsibilities and revision rounds in writing.
- Cover timeline, payment schedule, separate costs, ownership and licences.
- Include testing, post-launch support, confidentiality and how to end the project.
Most website project disputes come from different expectations: "I thought that was included." A clear written agreement protects both you and your developer. It doesn't need to be a long legal document, but it should cover the points below. For legal advice specific to your situation, speak to a lawyer.
1. Scope of work
- List of pages and features
- Integrations: payments, WhatsApp, CRM, booking
- What is not included
A good brief makes this easy; see the website brief template.
2. Content responsibilities
Who writes the text, supplies photos and adds products? Content delays are the most common reason projects run late.
3. Design and revisions
- How many design concepts or revision rounds are included
- How extra changes are charged
4. Timeline
Key milestones and what happens to the timeline if feedback or content is delayed. See how long a WordPress website takes.
5. Payment terms
- Total cost and what it includes
- Payment schedule, such as an advance, a milestone payment and final payment at launch
- Taxes, and costs paid separately like domain, hosting and premium plugins
6. Ownership
State that you own the website, content and design once fully paid, and that domain, hosting and accounts are in your name. See the website ownership checklist.
7. Licences
Who buys premium themes, plugins, fonts and stock images, and in whose name.
8. Testing and launch
What will be tested (devices, browsers, forms, speed), and what counts as "complete".
9. Post-launch support
- A free bug-fix period after launch
- Training or handover documentation
- Maintenance options and cost; see maintenance costs
More on this: bug or change request?
10. Confidentiality
Especially relevant for agencies outsourcing work and businesses sharing sensitive information.
11. Ending the project
What happens if either side wants to stop: payment for work done and handover of files and access.
Keep it simple and in writing
Even an email summarising these points and confirmed by both sides is far better than nothing.
Choosing who to work with? See freelancer vs agency.
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I'm Sameer, a freelance WordPress developer building fast, SEO-friendly websites since 2020. Tell me what you need and I'll reply with a plan and a fixed quote within 24 hours.
Freelance WordPress developer and founder of Samverse, building websites for clinics, manufacturers, agencies and online stores since 2020.
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