Website Design Contract: 12 Clauses That Protect You Before You Sign
A good website design contract clearly sets out: the scope of work (pages and features), what is out of scope, the timeline and each side's responsibilities, a payment schedule tied to milestones, the number of revision rounds, ownership of the website, code, design and content, domain and hosting registered in your name, handover of all access, the support period and what it covers, acceptance criteria, confidentiality, and how the contract can be terminated.
Most disputes between business owners and design companies don’t happen because anyone acted in bad faith, but because each side understood something different. The business owner thought content writing was included, and the company thought they would receive it ready. The owner expected unlimited revisions, and the company planned for two.
A clear contract protects both sides. These are the clauses we recommend in any website design contract, whether with us or anyone else.
1. Detailed scope of work
The most important clause in the contract. It should state:
- The number of pages and their names.
- Features: forms, a store, bookings, languages, integrations.
- Whether content writing is included, for how many pages, and whether it includes photos or a photo shoot.
- Whether entering content and products is included.
- Technical SEO and analytics tools.
The clearer your brief, the easier this clause is. Read how to write a website brief.
2. What is out of scope
Just as important: what isn’t included in the price? Such as logo design, photography, running ad campaigns, maintenance after the support period, or extra features. And how any additional request will be priced.
3. Timeline and each side’s responsibilities
Approximate dates for each stage, and what the project needs from you and when (content, photos, approvals). If content is two weeks late, delivery moves accordingly; this should be written down to avoid disputes.
4. Payment schedule
Tie payments to clear milestones, for example:
- An installment at signing and kick-off.
- An installment at design approval.
- An installment at delivery and launch.
Avoid paying everything upfront, and avoid contracts that don’t say when each installment is due.
5. Revision rounds
How many revision rounds are included on design? On development? And what counts as a “revision” versus a “new request”? Changing a button color is a revision; adding a new page or a whole section is a new request.
6. Acceptance and delivery criteria
When is the project considered delivered? We suggest a clear list: the agreed pages work, forms arrive, the website is responsive, speed is within an acceptable limit, the tools are connected. Plus a set review period after delivery for your feedback.
7. Ownership of the website, design and content
An explicit clause: after full payment, ownership of your website’s design, content and custom code transfers to you. Note that open-source components (such as WordPress) or third-party licensed items (themes, plugins, paid images) are subject to their licenses; the contract should say who holds and renews those licenses.
8. Domain and hosting in your name
The domain is registered in your name or your company’s, with your email, and so is the hosting, or at least you have full access to it. This clause alone prevents the worst case: losing your website and domain if you fall out with the company or it closes. We explain this in the domain and hosting guide.
9. Handover of access
A list of what you will receive at handover: admin access to the website, hosting and domain details, Google Analytics, Search Console and Google Business accounts (owned by you), and any connected service accounts.
10. Support and warranty after launch
- The free support period after launch.
- What it covers: fixing bugs in the delivered work? Small edits? Updates?
- Expected response time.
- The cost of a maintenance plan after the support period if you want one.
Read what website maintenance covers.
11. Confidentiality and data protection
A commitment that the company won’t share information about your business or your customers’ data, and will delete or hand over any access details when the relationship ends. If your website collects customer data, clarity on responsibilities related to it.
12. Terminating the contract
What happens if either side wants to end the project midway? How are amounts for completed work calculated? What will be handed over to you? A clear clause here turns a separation from a crisis into a procedure.
Warning signs in any contract
- No mention of the number of pages or features.
- The domain registered in the agency’s name “to make management easier”.
- No mention of ownership of the design or code.
- “Lifetime” support with no clear definition of what it covers.
- Full payment upfront.
Note: this article is guidance from our practical experience, not legal advice. For large projects, we recommend reviewing the contract with a legal professional.
In every project we send a written quote that covers these clauses before we start, and we register everything in the client’s name. Request your quote and check it against this list yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer for a website design contract?
For small projects, a clear written contract covering the basic clauses is usually enough. For large projects or custom platforms, a legal review is useful, especially for intellectual property and liability clauses.
What upfront payment is normal?
Payment is commonly split across stages, such as an installment at kick-off, another after design approval, and a final one at delivery. Avoid paying the full amount upfront before seeing any work.
Who owns the website design after payment?
The contract should explicitly state that ownership of the design, content and custom code of your website transfers to you after full payment, except for open-source or third-party licensed components, which remain under their own licenses.
