Web Development Contract Template

A Genuine Attorney-Approved Web Development Contract Template

Due to the popularity of this article, we're offering a genuine, attorney-approved web development contract template. This contract was written specifically for web development, but can be adapted for other needs. The template is written with placeholders for you to fill in your own information. Once you've done so, the contract will be ready to use!

Get the contract, estimate, invoice, and NDA templates for $199.50 $49.50 if you order by March 15

After submitting payment you will be able to download the file instantly, and will receive an email receipt for your transaction as well as a download link. Rest assured, if for some reason you can't get the download to work, you can contact us and we'll manually email you the files.

A Bulletproof Contract

It's important for web designers and developers to have a contract that protects them from fraud and liability. This is the case for sole proprietors as well as corporations. Liability protection, even for corporations, has many loopholes. For this reason we are providing a web development contract template for those interested. Feel free to use this on your own projects, but keep in mind that we are not guaranteeing its use or protection from liabilities in any way, and will not be held responsible for any damages that incur as a result of use or misuse of this information. Remember, as with any legal matter, always consult an attorney. And this is only a template - you need to adjust it to fit your specific needs and situation.

Web Site Development Contract Template

Here are a list of the sections that are found in a typical web site development contract. We have added examples where necessary.

Business Information

• Business Name
• Client Name
• Address
• Email
• Phone
• Website

Above-named client [Client Name] (referred to hereinafter as "Client") has engaged [Your Name] for the specific purpose of performing web development tasks on a site called [Website Name] (referred to hereinafter as "Client’s Site"), including all subdirectories and pages.

Services Rendered

[Your Name] agrees to perform web development services (referred to hereinafter as "Services") agreed upon with Client which may include but are not limited to:

• Web Page Design, Layout, and Production
• Coding in HMTL, XHTML, XML, XSL, CSS, PHP, JavaScript
• Graphic Design
• Search Engine Optimization

Payment

Client and [Your Name] agree that Services described in this contract shall be completed for [Your Hourly Rate] per hour, payable to "[Your Name]." Client agrees to pay [Your Name] for Services described in estimate submitted to Client once estimate has been agreed upon in writing (email is considered writing) by Client.

Performance

[Your Name] will submit Services based on turnaround times stated in estimates submitted to Client. Client to provide [Your Name] with all data needed to complete Services, including but not limited to text, code, graphics, and photos.

Web Development Standards

All services described herein are to be performed by [Your Name] in accordance with the most commonly accepted standards and practices of the Web Services Industry. [Your Name] will use the most universally accepted website design technologies to satisfy the broadest market possible - meaning web pages affected by Services rendered will look and act the same on over 95% of all web browsers in use at any given time.

Additional Services

The terms and conditions set forth in this document constitute the sole agreement between [Your Name] and the Client regarding Client’s Site. Any additional work not specified in this contract must be authorized by both original parties in writing. Any additional Services needed beyond what is specified in estimates submitted to Client will be charged at a rate of [Your Hourly Rate] per hour.

Warranties and Liability

[Your Name] does not warrant the functions of Client’s Site will meet Client's expectations of traffic or resulting business. In no event will [Your Name] be liable to Client or any third party for any damages, including any lost profits, lost savings or other incidental, consequential or special damages arising out of the operation of or inability to operate Client’s Site or any of its web pages, even if [Your Name] has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Cancellation

If Agreement is canceled before work is finished, Client forfeits any payments made and may be held liable for breach of contract.

Trademarks and Copyrights

Client represents to [Your Name] and unconditionally guarantees that any elements of text, graphics, photos, designs, trademarks, or other artwork furnished to [Your Name] for inclusion in web pages are owned by the Client, or Client has permission from the rightful owner to use each of these elements, and will hold harmless, protect, and defend [Your Name] from any claim or suit arising from the use of such elements furnished by the Client. [Your Name] initially owns copyright to the assembled work of Services produced by [Your Name]. Upon payment for Services rendered, all rights owned by [Your Name] as to Services rendered for Client’s Site transfer to the Client.

Web Developer Credits

For a period of at least 1 year beginning on date of written consent to allow Web Developer Credits, and as long as [Your Name] is performing Services for Client, Client agrees to allow [Your Name] to claim credit for Services rendered by posting a link, visible to search engines, to [Your Website URL] on Client’s Site and in author meta tags of Client’s Site.

Litigation

Any disputes arising from this contract will be litigated or arbitrated in [Your County], [Your State]. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of [Your State]. The undersigned hereby agree to the terms, conditions and stipulations of this agreement on behalf of his or her organization. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties. Any changes or modifications thereto must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Signing the Contract

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date indicated below:

As a final step you and your client both sign and date the contract. Voila :)

Revision Schedule

Finally, you'll want to specify some sort of revision-based schedule. What does this mean? A revision schedule is used to prevent your client from using up all your hours and diluting your hourly value. In other words, you might say that they have 3 revisions they can submit on specific dates. After those 3 revisions are in, you don't work more unless they compensate you more. Be sure to include the revision number in all correspondence with the client and specify that they submit their revision one time on the revision date, and not a number of times leading up to the revision date.

Run it by an attorney

Remember that once you've fully written your contract it's always a good idea to have an attorney look at it, as legal specifics may vary by city, county, and state. We take no responsibility nor will we be held liable for your use or misuse of this information. If you would like an official, attorney-approved contract, please check out our offer below.

Non-Disclosure Agreement

The final part of your web development agreement package is an NDA, or Non-Disclosure Agreement. While not always necessary, it can be a good idea to provide this form to your client so they'll feel confident that you're not going to run away with their secrets. You can also use it to protect your own proprietary knowledge that you may put to use while working for your client. An NDA is used to keep any secret or proprietary knowledge under lock and key while you and your client work on your project. It prevents either one of you from benefitting from the project in a way that may competitively harm the other party down the road. For a limited time, we're including an NDA template in our web development contract template package at no additional charge.

Attorney Approved Web Development Contract Template

Because of the popularity of this article, we've decided to offer a genuine, attorney-approved, four page web development contract, valued at several thousand dollars.  This contract was written specifically for web development, but can be adapted for other needs. The template is written with placeholders for you to fill in your own information. Once you've done so, the contract will be ready to use! Note that while this contract was written by an attorney, we take no responsibility, nor will will be held liable, for your use or misuse of it.

Estimate, Invoice, and NDA forms included for a limited time

For a limited time, we're also going to throw in official estimate and invoice templates you can use to bill your clients, as well as an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement).

The contract and templates will be delivered to you in PDF, DOC, and ODT formats. If you need it in another format, just let us know.

Get the contract, estimate, invoice, and NDA templates for $199.50 $49.50 if you order by March 15

After submitting payment you will be able to download the file instantly, and will receive an email receipt for your transaction as well as a download link. Rest assured, if for some reason you can't get the download to work, you can contact us and we'll manually email you the files.

Web Development Contract Sample

Click on the web development contract sample to view the first full page of the contract. The full contract contains four pages.