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Web design contract template for freelancers and studios.
Website projects add risks a general design contract does not cover: who supplies content, who owns the domain and hosting, what “launch” means and what happens after it. This template lists the clauses a web design contract should include, with example wording to adapt.
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In short
A web design contract should cover the parties, the pages, features and integrations included, what is out of scope, who supplies content and by when, design and development milestones, revision rounds, browser and device support, hosting, domains and third-party costs, launch and acceptance, post-launch support or maintenance, the fee and payment schedule, ownership and licences, and how either side can end the project. It is a starting template, not legal advice.
Web design contract template: clauses to include
Use these headings and fill in each one for the project:
- Parties and project: who you are, the client, and the site being built or redesigned
- Scope: the number of pages or templates, features (for example a contact form, blog, booking or online shop) and integrations
- Out of scope: for example copywriting, photography, SEO campaigns, ongoing ads or custom software
- Content: who supplies text, images and product data, in what format, and the date it is due
- Milestones and payments: for example 40% deposit, 30% on design approval, 30% before launch
- Revisions: rounds included at the design stage and the development stage, and the rate for more
- Browser and device support: the current browsers and screen sizes you test on
- Hosting, domain and third-party costs: whose account they are in and who pays for themes, plugins and services
- Launch and acceptance: what counts as finished, and how long the client has to report problems
- Support and maintenance: any free fix period after launch, and a separate maintenance plan if offered
- Ownership, licences, portfolio use, termination, confidentiality, liability and signatures
Content delays: protect your timeline
Late content is the most common reason website projects stall. Example wording: “The client supplies all page content by [date]. If content arrives late, the launch date moves by the same number of days. If the project is paused for more than 30 days because content is missing, the designer may invoice for work completed to date.”
Hosting, domains and accounts in the client’s name
Recommend that the domain, hosting and paid plugins sit in accounts the client owns, with you invited as a user. It keeps the client in control if you stop working together and avoids disputes over renewals. Say who pays for each service and that third-party price changes are outside your control.
Launch, acceptance and what comes after
Define launch clearly, for example “the site is live on the client’s domain and the client has confirmed acceptance, or has not reported a defect within 10 working days”. Include a short period for fixing bugs in the agreed scope, such as 30 days, and offer ongoing updates, backups and security monitoring as a separate monthly maintenance retainer.
Ownership of the site and code
A common approach is that the client owns the final design and content once paid in full, while you keep rights in your own code libraries, frameworks and tools, and the client receives a licence to use them in the site. Themes, plugins and fonts stay under their own licences. Have this clause checked by a lawyer for your country.
Run the project from contract to final invoice
For a fill-in agreement, use the free freelance contract template, then add the website clauses above. In Workspace369, you can send the contract for e-signature, invoice each milestone, share designs and collect content in the client portal, and keep change requests on the same client record.
FAQ
Common questions
What should a web design contract include?
The pages and features in scope, what is not included, who supplies content and when, milestones and payment schedule, revisions, browser support, hosting and domain responsibilities, launch and acceptance terms, post-launch support, ownership and licences, termination, and signatures.
How should a web designer structure payments?
Many web designers split the fee into a deposit before work starts and payments at milestones, such as design approval and before launch. Taking the final payment before the site goes live avoids chasing it afterwards.
Who should own the domain and hosting?
Usually the client, in accounts in their name, with the designer added as a user. This keeps the client in control and makes handover simple if the relationship ends.
Should website maintenance be in the same contract?
Keep it separate. Include a short bug-fix period for the agreed scope, then offer ongoing maintenance as its own monthly agreement with clear limits. That makes the project end date clear and gives the client a simple choice.
Is this web design contract template legal advice?
No. It is a plain-language starting point. Laws differ by state and country, so have a qualified lawyer review your agreement before you rely on it.
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