Today's Posts Follow Us On Twitter! TFL Members on Twitter  
Forum search: Advanced Search  
Navigation
Marketplace
  Members Login:
Lost password?
  Forum Statistics:
Forum Members: 24,254
Total Threads: 80,792
Total Posts: 566,471
There are 1231 users currently browsing (tf).
 
  Our Partners:
 
  TalkFreelance     Business and Website Management     Contracts, Business and Legal Help :

How To Write A Web Design Contract

Thread title: How To Write A Web Design Contract
Reply  
Page 1 of 24 1 2 3 4 5 11 >
    Thread tools Search this thread Display Modes  
04-29-2005, 09:00 AM
#1
Julian is offline Julian
Status: Simply to simplify
Join date: Apr 2005
Location: Foxton, Manawatu, New Zealand
Expertise:
Software:
 
Posts: 5,572
iTrader: 0 / 0%
 

Julian is on a distinguished road

  Old  How To Write A Web Design Contract

Everyone who engages in the business of design should use a contract, this protects you and your clients.

Just as you should never begin a job without a deposit, you should also never begin a job without a contract.

Many beginning designers feel awkward about asking for deposits and signed contracts. While a deposit can be a little difficult to justify, a contract isn't at all difficult to justify.

Some important elements a good design contract should contain are:

1. Purpose and goals of site
2. Domain name, hosting
3. Description of graphic content
4. Features/Functions/Scripts
5. Keywords & other spider food
6. Cross-browser and cross-resolution
7. Submit to search engines
8. Regular maintenance
9. Estimated cost and payment schedule
10. Ownership rights
11. Confidentiality statement
12. Design credit statement
13. Delivery date, approximate or specific
14. Early termination procedures
15. Charges for meetings/conferences
16. Charges for ammendments
17. Time limits for quotes, acceptance of mockups etc.

Get these elements together and then visit a lawyer and ask them to go over it with you, ask them to add anything they feel is necessary.

If you have trouble getting a client to sign then you could tell them that it protects them as much as it protects you. That you are BOTH legally bound to abide by the contract.

If a client refuses to sign a contract, then they are not a client you want to have when the going gets tough.

Please find enclosed one of my businesses contracts, you are welcome to use this for your own use but you will have to personalize it for your business. I recommend seeking legal advice on your contracts contents.

Update 18 Dec 2006: I have uploaded a revised contract, this has more detail in the licensing and other various sections. Also please find newly attached is an example Appendix A for the contract.

Update January 2011: Fixed broken attachments.

If you download my contract please let me know if it is useful or drop a thankyou at the end of this thread

Attached Files
File Type: zip Appendix A.zip (11.5 KB, 134 views)
File Type: zip Circle Design Web Development Contract.zip (39.6 KB, 219 views)

Reply With Quote
Thanked by 2 users:
QuePasaDesign (01-22-2012)
04-29-2005, 11:47 AM
#2
Anthony is offline Anthony
Status: Sin Binner
Join date: Jul 2004
Location: Yorkshire Coast - UK
Expertise:
Software:
 
Posts: 5,911
iTrader: 29 / 91%
 

Anthony is on a distinguished road

Send a message via MSN to Anthony

  Old

Wow, thanks for the information. It will help me a lot!

Reply With Quote
04-29-2005, 01:02 PM
#3
adrenalinepcs is offline adrenalinepcs
Status: Junior Member
Join date: Apr 2005
Location:
Expertise:
Software:
 
Posts: 36
iTrader: 0 / 0%
 

adrenalinepcs is on a distinguished road

  Old

thanks so much for the info! i really should start using contracts for my webdesign projects... i've been burned to many times.

Reply With Quote
04-30-2005, 05:05 AM
#4
ArtyCreations is offline ArtyCreations
ArtyCreations's Avatar
Status: I'm new around here
Join date: Apr 2005
Location:
Expertise:
Software:
 
Posts: 10
iTrader: 0 / 0%
 

ArtyCreations is on a distinguished road

Send a message via MSN to ArtyCreations

  Old

You are absolutely right 'bout the necessity of a contract before taking up a job.
Many a times, clients give me a weird look when I ask them for an advance deposit and sign a work order before I actually get started. Dunno why people expect a designer to first prove herself by doin' their job on speculation before they finally agree to bind themselves by a signed contract.
And I hv come across a lot of clients who do not agree to pay the advance amt. Instead stress on the completion of a job and only after being "fully" satisfied, will make the lumpsum payment. Dunno how to tackle this scenario

Reply With Quote
04-30-2005, 06:07 AM
#5
Julian is offline Julian
Status: Simply to simplify
Join date: Apr 2005
Location: Foxton, Manawatu, New Zealand
Expertise:
Software:
 
Posts: 5,572
iTrader: 0 / 0%
 

Julian is on a distinguished road

  Old

This clause would sort out those troublesome clients ArtyCreations, don't take on any jobs without a signed contract, you don't want the clients who refuse, believe me:

24. Payment Terms / Work Flow

A minimum deposit of one third (33%) of the total amount is required to commence work.

Once the first deposit is received by the Developer, basic site design concepts will be put online for the Client's viewing and approval.

Communication between the Developer and the Client is crucial during this phase to ensure that the ultimate publication will match the Client's taste and needs.

Upon completion of this stage, the Client will be asked to confirm acceptance for the basic site design via e-mail or by signing a printed copy of the design. Once this acceptance is received from the Client, the work necessary to complete the project will begin, and the second third (33%) of the total amount will be paid.

Clients should continue, however, to continually view updates to the site and express their preferences or dislikes to the Developer. Upon completion of the web site, an e-mail or letter and invoice will be sent to the Client advising the Client that the work has been completed. Final payment of the remaining 33% balance plus any additional charges incurred will due within fifteen (15) business days after delivery of this e-mail or letter and invoice.
If the fifteen (15) day minimum is not met an additional charge of 10% is due. If payment is not made within thirty (30) days of notification, simple interest will accrue on the balance owed at a rate of 18% from the date the 10% penalty was levied.
Developer reserves the right to remove all web content from the Internet if payment is not made within ten (30) days after delivery of our completion notification. Most frequently, problems making payment timely are the result of poor communication channels in a company's Accounting Department. If a payment delay is anticipated, please contact the Developer to discuss potential problems in advance. If problems are anticipated we may be able to accommodate an alternate arrangement.

Reply With Quote
04-30-2005, 01:34 PM
#6
Zaigham is offline Zaigham
Zaigham's Avatar
Status: Junior Member
Join date: Feb 2005
Location: On NET
Expertise:
Software:
 
Posts: 97
iTrader: 0 / 0%
 

Zaigham is on a distinguished road

Send a message via AIM to Zaigham Send a message via MSN to Zaigham Send a message via Yahoo to Zaigham

  Old

Thanks for detailed information and as well as for practical document much appreciated.

Best wishes and regards,

Zaigham

Reply With Quote
05-01-2005, 08:52 AM
#7
Julian is offline Julian
Status: Simply to simplify
Join date: Apr 2005
Location: Foxton, Manawatu, New Zealand
Expertise:
Software:
 
Posts: 5,572
iTrader: 0 / 0%
 

Julian is on a distinguished road

  Old

You're very welcome Zaigham

I found most of it online searching through web design contracts, edited it to suit my business then took it to my lawyer for him to check it's validity, $500 and two weeks later I was covered

In offering this article I just hope everyone follows the advice and does not get ripped off. Plus I hope I can help struggling or beginning designers out by offering them my contract for free download.

Reply With Quote
05-03-2005, 07:09 AM
#8
DateinaDash is offline DateinaDash
Status: The BidMaster
Join date: Nov 2004
Location: England
Expertise:
Software:
 
Posts: 10,821
iTrader: 0 / 0%
 

DateinaDash is on a distinguished road

  Old

Great information, thanks for sharing! Would it be possible to provide this online (when the talkfreelance site is up later this year?)

Reply With Quote
05-04-2005, 11:33 PM
#9
Birdo is offline Birdo
Birdo's Avatar
Status: Junior Member
Join date: Dec 2004
Location:
Expertise:
Software:
 
Posts: 76
iTrader: 0 / 0%
 

Birdo is on a distinguished road

  Old

Amazing information, ive never even thought about having a contract.

Reply With Quote
05-05-2005, 12:46 AM
#10
smashingjay is offline smashingjay
Status: I'm new around here
Join date: May 2005
Location: Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada
Expertise:
Software:
 
Posts: 19
iTrader: 0 / 0%
 

smashingjay is on a distinguished road

  Old

What a great contract. I would think that this should be available to all.

Jay

Reply With Quote
Reply  
Page 1 of 24 1 2 3 4 5 11 >


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

  Posting Rules  
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump:
 
  Contains New Posts Forum Contains New Posts   Contains No New Posts Forum Contains No New Posts   A Closed Forum Forum is Closed