Web Designer Contract Template

WEB DESIGN SERVICES AGREEMENT This Agreement is entered into as of [DATE] between: CLIENT: [CLIENT FULL NAME OR COMPANY NAME], located at [CLIENT ADDRESS] ("Client") CONTRACTOR: [YOUR FULL NAME OR BUSINESS NAME], located at [YOUR ADDRESS] ("Contractor") Together referred to as the "Parties." --- 1. PROJECT SCOPE Contractor agrees to design and build the following website ("Project"): Platform: [e.g., Shopify, Squarespace, WordPress, Webflow, custom build] Pages included: [LIST ALL PAGES — e.g.: - Home - About - Services (up to [X] service pages) - Contact - Blog (template only, no posts)] Functionality included: [LIST — e.g., contact form, newsletter signup integration, product pages, checkout] NOT included in this Agreement: - Copywriting or content creation - Photography or custom graphics (unless separately quoted) - SEO strategy or implementation - Ongoing maintenance or updates after the post-launch period (see Section 8) - Custom development or code outside the platform's standard capabilities - Third-party tool subscriptions (hosting, domain, apps, plugins) Any work not listed above requires a separate written agreement and additional fee. --- 2. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES This project's timeline depends on Client providing the following by [DATE]: - All page copy, written and proofread - All images, logos, and brand assets (at minimum 1200px wide, 72dpi for web) - Login credentials for any existing accounts (domain registrar, current host, etc.) - Decisions on any platform subscriptions Client needs to set up (hosting, domain, payment processor) If Client fails to deliver required materials by [DATE], the project timeline will be extended by the equivalent number of business days. If the delay exceeds [30] days, Contractor may pause the project and a restart fee of $[AMOUNT] may apply. --- 3. PAYMENT SCHEDULE This project is billed in milestones: Milestone 1 — Project deposit: $[AMOUNT] (due before work begins, non-refundable) Milestone 2 — Mid-project payment: $[AMOUNT] (due upon delivery of [first design mockups / development build]) Milestone 3 — Final payment: $[AMOUNT] (due before launch) Work will pause at each milestone until that milestone payment is received. Contractor will not launch the website until final payment is received in full. Invoices are payable within [5] business days of receipt. Invoices unpaid after [7] days may result in work being paused until payment is made. --- 4. REVISIONS This Agreement includes [TWO (2)] rounds of design revisions per page before development begins. Once development starts, design changes that require rework constitute new work and are billed at $[HOURLY RATE] per hour. Post-development revisions (changes to built, functional pages) are billed at $[HOURLY RATE] per hour regardless of revision round count. --- 5. LAUNCH HOLD Contractor will not launch, transfer, or provide login credentials for the completed website until final payment (Milestone 3) has been received. Client may review the site in a staging environment before final payment. Launching from a staging environment to a live domain without Contractor's transfer is a breach of this Agreement. --- 6. HOSTING, DOMAIN, AND THIRD-PARTY SERVICES Hosting and domain registration are not included in this Agreement. Client is responsible for maintaining their own: - Domain registration (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains) - Hosting or platform subscription (e.g., Shopify plan, WordPress hosting, Squarespace plan) - Any third-party tools or apps required for functionality (payment processors, email marketing, scheduling tools) Contractor will assist with setup and configuration of these services as part of this project, but Client must maintain these subscriptions in their own name and at their own cost. Contractor is not responsible for site downtime or data loss caused by Client's hosting provider or third-party platform. --- 7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Upon receipt of full payment, all custom design elements created by Contractor for this project transfer to Client. This includes custom graphics, layouts, and brand-specific design assets created specifically for this project. Platform themes, templates, plugins, and any third-party code remain subject to their respective licenses and do not transfer to Client as part of this Agreement. Contractor retains the right to display the completed website in their portfolio and use it as a professional sample unless Client requests otherwise in writing within [30] days of launch. --- 8. POST-LAUNCH BUG FIX PERIOD Contractor will fix any functional errors or bugs in the build at no charge for [30] days following launch ("Bug Fix Period"). A bug is defined as functionality that was specified in the project scope and is not working as intended. The Bug Fix Period does not include: - New features or content additions - Changes to design or copy - Issues caused by Client modifications to the site after handoff - Issues caused by third-party platform updates After the Bug Fix Period, support is available at $[HOURLY RATE] per hour. --- 9. KILL FEE If Client cancels this Agreement after work has begun, the following cancellation fees apply: - Cancelled after deposit but before design work begins: deposit retained, no additional fee - Cancelled during design phase: Milestone 1 deposit plus 25% of remaining balance - Cancelled during development phase: Milestone 1 deposit plus Milestone 2 if applicable, plus 50% of Milestone 3 - Cancelled after site is complete and ready for launch: full project fee is owed --- 10. CONFIDENTIALITY Contractor agrees to keep confidential any non-public business information shared by Client in connection with this Agreement. This obligation survives termination of this Agreement for a period of [2] years. --- 11. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR Contractor is an independent contractor, not an employee of Client. Contractor is responsible for all taxes on income earned under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement creates a partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship. --- 12. TERMINATION Either Party may terminate this Agreement with [14] days' written notice. In the event of termination, Client is responsible for payment for all work completed through the termination date, plus any applicable kill fee as outlined in Section 9. Contractor may terminate immediately if Client fails to pay any milestone invoice within [14] days of the due date. --- 13. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY Contractor's total liability under this Agreement shall not exceed the total fees paid by Client. Contractor is not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including lost revenue, lost data, or damages caused by third-party platform failures. --- 14. DISPUTE RESOLUTION The Parties agree to attempt to resolve any dispute through good-faith negotiation before pursuing legal action. This Agreement is governed by the laws of [YOUR STATE/PROVINCE]. --- 15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior discussions, proposals, or agreements. Any modifications must be made in writing and signed by both Parties. --- SIGNATURES Contractor: Signature: _______________________________ Name: [YOUR NAME] Date: _______________ Client: Signature: _______________________________ Name: [CLIENT NAME] Title: [CLIENT TITLE, IF APPLICABLE] Date: _______________