Web Design Contract Checklist: What to Include Before You Sign

*This checklist is general information, not legal advice. For a large or complex project, have a lawyer review the agreement.*

The 12 Things to Include

1. Scope and deliverables. The exact pages, features, and assets included, such as "8 pages, contact form, blog setup, mobile responsive design." Vague scope causes most disputes.

2. Price and what it covers. The total, and whether it includes design, development, content entry, hosting, and training.

3. Payment schedule. Common structures are 50 percent upfront and 50 percent at completion, or 30/30/40 across milestones. Avoid paying everything upfront.

4. Timeline and milestones. Key dates, plus what happens if either side is late. Delays in your content or feedback usually move the schedule.

5. Revisions. How many rounds are included and what additional rounds cost.

6. Ownership. You should own the final website, design, and content once paid in full. Clarify any exceptions, such as licensed fonts, plugins, or stock images.

7. Domain and hosting accounts. Registered in your name, with you holding the logins. Never let a designer be the only owner of your domain.

8. Content responsibilities. Who provides text and photos, by when, and who is responsible for the rights to use them.

9. Post-launch support and maintenance. Whether a support or warranty period is included, and what ongoing work costs. See website maintenance costs.

10. Cancellation and refunds. What happens, and what is owed, if the project stops partway.

11. Portfolio and credit rights. Whether the designer may show your site, and whether a credit link appears in the footer.

12. Confidentiality and data. How your business information and any customer data are handled.

Red Flags in a Contract

• No written scope, or "unlimited" everything.
• The designer, not you, owns the domain or hosting account.
• Payment due in full before any work.
• Language that licenses the site to you instead of transferring ownership, with no explanation.
• No mention of what happens if the project is cancelled.

Before You Sign

• Compare the contract with the answers you collected from our questions to ask a web designer.
• Make sure the price matches the quote you accepted. Our price list helps you check that it is reasonable.
• Keep copies of everything, including the signed agreement and payment receipts.

After You Sign

Use our website launch checklist to confirm everything works before launch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a contract for a small website?

Yes. Even a short written agreement that states scope, price, timeline, and ownership protects both sides.

Who should own the website?

You should, once you have paid in full. Check the contract for any license-only wording and ask about it before signing.

Is it normal to pay half upfront?

Yes. Fifty percent upfront and fifty percent on completion is common, as is a 30/30/40 split across milestones.

Can I use a template contract?

A template is a reasonable starting point for a simple project, but adapt it to your scope and consider legal review for larger work.