What a web design contract should cover: scope and exclusions, deliverables, client responsibilities, payment, revisions, ownership, hosting and termination. A free editable terms checklist, a filled small-business example, and why you still need a lawyer to write the final wording.
<p class="lead text-xl text-[#3a3a3a] mb-8"> A web design contract records what will be built, what will not, what each side must do, how and when payment happens, who owns the result, and how either side can end the project. This page gives you a <strong>terms checklist</strong>, not ready-made legal wording: contract law differs by country and state, so use the checklist to agree the business terms, then have a qualified lawyer where you work turn them into the contract. </p>
<h2>Download the terms checklist</h2> <p><a href="/downloads/web-design-contract-checklist.txt" download>Download the web design contract terms checklist (.txt, editable)</a>. No sign-up. Fill it in with the client, attach your agreed proposal, and hand both to your lawyer. For the scope document itself, see the <a href="/guides/web-design-proposal-template">web design proposal template</a>.</p>
<h2>Completed example (a labelled demonstration)</h2> <p>The fictional client "Harbour Line Plumbing" and a fictional freelancer. No real client, outcome or legal advice is implied.</p> <pre><code>PARTIES: [freelancer business name] and Harbour Line Plumbing SCOPE: 5-page website per attached proposal v2 Home, Services, Areas we serve, About, Contact (job request form) EXCLUDED: logo design, photography, copywriting beyond 5 pages, paid ads, ongoing SEO, email set-up, extra pages ([price] each) CLIENT PROVIDES: service notes, licence number, photos, domain login by [date]; delays move the launch date by the same time REVISIONS: 2 rounds on design, 1 round on built pages; more billed hourly PAYMENT: 50% to start, 50% on approval before launch; invoice due 14 days TIMELINE: launch target [date], subject to content arriving on time OWNERSHIP: client owns domain, their content and the final site on full payment; freelancer keeps the right to show it in a portfolio (opt-out ok) THIRD-PARTY: client pays platform plan, domain and any paid plugins directly HOSTING / CARE: not included; optional care plan quoted separately ACCEPTANCE: client signs off each stage in writing (email is fine) ENDING EARLY: either side, written notice; work done to date is paid LIABILITY, DISPUTES, GOVERNING LAW: [lawyer to draft]</code></pre>
<h2>Field by field: scope and exclusions</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Scope:</strong> list pages and features, and attach the proposal. Vague scope ("a modern website") is where disputes start.</li> <li><strong>Exclusions:</strong> name what is not included. Copywriting, photography, SEO, email and ongoing edits are the usual surprises.</li> <li><strong>Client responsibilities:</strong> content, logins and approvals by dates, and what happens to the timeline if they slip.</li> <li><strong>Revisions:</strong> how many rounds, at which stage, and the rate after that.</li> <li><strong>Payment:</strong> deposit, milestones, due dates, late payment terms your lawyer confirms are enforceable.</li> <li><strong>Ownership:</strong> when rights pass to the client (commonly on full payment), and what you keep (portfolio use, your own reusable code or templates). Licensed fonts, images and themes stay under their own licences.</li> <li><strong>Accounts:</strong> domain, hosting and platform plans in the client's name, so they are never locked out if you part ways.</li> <li><strong>Ending early:</strong> notice, payment for work done, and handover of files.</li> <li><strong>Liability, warranties, disputes and governing law:</strong> leave these to the lawyer.</li> </ul>
<h2>Adapt it for a second business model</h2> <p>For a monthly care or maintenance arrangement, the terms shift: scope becomes a list of included tasks per month, exclusions cover new features, payment becomes a recurring invoice with a notice period, and you add response times you can actually meet. See <a href="/guides/how-much-to-charge-for-website-maintenance">how much to charge for website maintenance</a> and <a href="/guides/website-maintenance-packages">website maintenance packages</a>.</p>
<h2>Turn the signed documents into a build brief</h2> <p>The agreed scope maps straight onto the build: each page in scope becomes a page in the brief, client-provided items become a content checklist, and exclusions stop scope creep during the build. The <a href="/guides/website-design-brief-template">website design brief template</a> shows the format.</p> <figure> <img src="/images/app/builder-1200.webp" alt="The We.Inc builder editing a website draft" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="750" /> <figcaption>Building the agreed pages in the We.Inc builder.</figcaption> </figure>
<h2>Known limitations</h2> <ul> <li>This checklist is not a contract and not legal advice. Consumer protection, e-signature and data protection rules vary by location.</li> <li>If the site collects personal data, the client may need a data processing agreement with you; ask your lawyer.</li> </ul>
<h2>Build the agreed site</h2> <p>Freelancers and agencies can build client sites in the <a href="/website-builder">We.Inc website builder</a>, or resell under their own brand with <a href="/white-label">white-label</a>. Plans: Free gives up to 3 template sites on a we.inc address (no AI credits, no custom domain); Starter $20/month adds AI building and custom domains; Pro $50; Max $99 (<a href="/pricing">pricing</a>). Price the job with the <a href="/tools/website-cost-calculator">website cost calculator</a>, and check the finished site with the <a href="/tools/website-grader">website grader</a>. Starting points: <a href="/website-templates/business">business templates</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://my.we.inc/signup">Start building your business website</a></p>
Scope and exclusions, client responsibilities and deadlines, revision rounds, payment schedule, ownership of the finished site, who pays for third-party services, acceptance, how to end early, and liability and governing law drafted by a lawyer.
Use a checklist to agree the business terms, but have a lawyer where you work draft or review the contract wording. Rules differ by country and state.
The client, in their own name. It prevents lock-out if the working relationship ends.
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