Website design contracts: 7 clauses that protect you

7 clauses to include

1. Scope: number of pages, list of features, number of design revisions, who provides the content. Work outside the scope must be quoted before it is done.
2. Ownership: the domain, hosting, source code and Google Analytics and Search Console accounts are registered with your details.
3. Milestone payments: each instalment is tied to a concrete result; the final instalment is paid only after you have tested the live site yourself.
4. Timeline: dates for each milestone and what happens when either party is late.
5. Warranty & support: the defect warranty period, the channel for requests and the response time.
6. Handover: the list of assets (see the handover checklist), backups, user guides.
7. Termination & switching providers: if you change providers, within how many days the web agency hands everything over, and whether it charges a fee.

The contract should come with a 3-year cost table so year two holds no surprises.

Wording to watch out for

• "The source code belongs to party B", or the contract says nothing about the source code.
• "Party A pays 100% before receiving the admin account".
• "Maintenance fees according to party B's current price list" with no figures or formula.
• No clause about moving to another provider.

These clauses are also the 8 commitments Weme writes into every quote and contract.

Frequently asked questions