Free Web Developer Contract Template [Docs / DOCX]

Want to protect yourself when building websites? Our contract template makes it easy.

Starting a website project without a written agreement is risky for everyone involved. When you don't have clear rules written down, customers might not pay on time, ask for endless changes, or argue about what work was supposed to be done. Developers can also get stuck doing much more work than they planned without getting paid extra.

This guide teaches you how to create a firm contract that protects both you and your customer. You'll discover what essential things to include, learn helpful tips from experienced developers, and find out what mistakes cause the most problems. Our step-by-step instructions will help you create one that keeps your projects running smoothly.

What is a Web Developer Contract?

It is a written agreement between a customer and a website builder. When both people sign it, they must follow what they promised to do. The contract outlines the work to be done, assigns specific tasks to each person, and clearly defines the expectations of each party. It protects both parties in the event of problems that arise during the project.

Why Contracts Are Important

• The contract clearly outlines the work that needs to be done and when it should be completed. This helps both people know what to expect and prevents confusion about deadlines.
• It protects secret business information that you share with the developer. This prevents them from disclosing your business ideas or plans to others.

For example, suppose you tell the developer about your new product launch strategy or customer list while building your website. In that case, the contract ensures they can't share this information with your competitors or use it for their own business.

• With some contracts, you get quick help when your website breaks or needs updates. The developer will promptly address any issues to ensure your website continues to function smoothly.
• The contract outlines the payment terms, including the amount and schedule. This helps you plan your budget and avoid surprise costs.
• Contract developers know how to use advanced tools and have skills you might not have. You can use these tools without having to buy them yourself.
• You can hire more developers when you have big projects or fewer developers when work is slow. You don't have to promise to keep them forever.
• The contract protects both you and the developer by law. It explains who owns what, how payments work, and how to resolve any issues that may arise.
• Contract developers can start working quickly, which means your website gets done sooner. This helps your business compete better.

Problems When You Don't Have a Contract

• Without a contract, clients may refuse to pay or delay payment for an extended period. They might say the work isn't finished or isn't what they wanted, even when the developer did good work.
• Customers may continue to request additional changes and new features without incurring extra costs. The developer ends up doing much more work than they planned for the same price.
• Without a contract, it's unclear who owns the website code and designs. The developer might lose the right to their work, or the customer might use it without paying properly.
• If something goes wrong with the website, the developer may be held responsible and have to pay for damages, even if it wasn't their fault.
• Customers might suddenly stop the project and refuse to pay for work that's already done. The developer loses money and time with no recourse to recover it.

For example, after agreeing to build a simple business website for $2,000, the customer keeps asking for "just one more thing" - a blog, then online booking, then a client portal. The developer ends up doing $8,000 worth of work but can only charge the original $2,000.

• Without agreed-upon dates and rules, projects can take an eternity to complete. Both sides might argue about whether the work is good enough or done on time.
• Without protection rules, customers or other individuals might steal the developer's ideas or share private business information they are not authorized to disclose.
• Without a contract, both sides could end up in court, spending lots of money on lawyers. This can harm their reputation and result in significant financial losses.

Making Your Web Developer Contract

A good contract should include several key components to ensure both the customer and developer understand what to expect. Here are the main things to include:

What to Put in Your Contract

• Who is making the deal? Write down the full names and contact information of both the customer and the web developer. This indicates who is required to follow the contract rules.
• What work will be done? Explain exactly what the developer will do, like designing the website, building it, testing it, and putting it online. Also, say what work is NOT included. This prevents customers from requesting additional work without incurring extra costs.
• Who does what? Make clear what jobs each person has to do. List the different steps of the project, like planning, designing, building, testing, and launching the website. Say what the customer needs to do and what the developer needs to do.
• When things need to be done. Set precise dates for when each part of the project should be finished. This helps both sides know what to expect and keeps the project moving forward.
• Payment rules. Explain how much money the customer will pay, when they will pay it, and how they will pay. Also, explain what happens if they pay late or if extra work is needed.

For example, "Total cost $4,000: $1,000 due upon signing, $1,500 when design is approved, $1,500 when website launches. Late payments are charged a 5% monthly fee. Extra work billed at $75/hour." This prevents arguments about money later.

• Changes and approval. Establish rules for the number of times a customer can request changes and the process for approving the final work. This stops endless changes that never get finished.
• Who owns what? Make clear who owns the finished website, the computer code, and the designs. Say, if the developer keeps any rights to their work.
• Fixing problems and upkeep. Promise to fix bugs or issues for a specified period after the website is complete. Say what problems are NOT covered, like if someone hacks the website. 

ManyRequests helps you organize all your website work in one place. You can report problems, give tasks to the right people, and see what's finished or still needs work. This way, your team stays on track and important things don't get forgotten.

• Keeping secrets. Promise to keep private business information secret, both during and after the project is done.
• Starting and ending the contract. Say how long the contract lasts and how either person can end it early. Explain what happens to payments if the contract ends early.
• Work relationship. Make it clear that the developer is not an employee but works independently. This is important for taxes and legal reasons.
• Protection from problems. Explain how both sides will handle it if something goes wrong or if someone gets sued because of the project.
• How to communicate. Say how often you will talk to each other, what methods you will use (like email or phone), and when each person needs to respond to messages.

Tips for Making a Good Contract

• Write down precisely what you will make, like how many website pages, what features it will have, and what computer programs you will use. Don't just say "make a website" because that's too unclear. Also, say what the customer needs to give you, like pictures, text, and quick responses to your questions.
• Decide how many times the customer can ask for changes or how long they have to ask for changes. For example, they might have 7 days to request edits instead of being able to make changes permanently.
• Specify who will own the finished website and whether the developer retains any rights to their work. You might also ask if you can put a small "made by" link on the website to show your work to others.
• Offer to fix bugs or problems with your work for free for a particular time, like 3-4 months. However, please note that you won't be responsible for fixing problems caused by hackers or if someone else alters your work incorrectly.

For example, write "Developer will fix any coding errors, broken links, or display problems free for 90 days after website launch. This does NOT cover: problems from the customer adding new content, security breaches, server crashes, or changes made by other developers." This clarifies what you'll fix for free versus what costs extra.

• Write down how much the customer will pay, when they will pay (like part upfront and part when finished), and what happens if they pay late. Also, explain how you will charge for extra work that wasn't planned.
• Create a schedule with essential dates so everyone knows when each part is due. This keeps the project moving and prevents delays.
• List what the customer needs to do, like giving you text for the website, passwords to accounts, or approving your work quickly. This prevents delays that aren't your fault.
• Promise to keep private business information secret. Also, decide how you will resolve disagreements, such as discussing them or seeking legal action.
• Agree on how often you will talk (like once a week) and how you will contact each other (like email or phone calls).
• Use contract examples from trusted sources, but change them to fit your specific project and customer. Make sure they follow the laws in your area.

Contract Mistakes You Should Not Make

• Not having a signed contract. The biggest mistake is working without a signed contract. This leaves both parties with no protection and can lead to disputes over money, additional work, and the tasks initially intended to be completed.
• Being unclear about the project. Don't write vague things like "make a good website." Instead, explain exactly what the website will do, how many pages it will have, and what features it needs. Without precise details, people will argue about whether the work is done right.
• Not planning for delays. Don't forget to explain what happens if the project takes longer than planned. Say how delays will affect the price and when things will be finished, or you might have surprise costs and arguments later.
• Only caring about cheap prices. Don't just pick the cheapest developer without thinking about quality. Cheap work often turns out badly and costs more money to fix later. Pay fair prices for good work.
• Forgetting about payment rules. Don't skip the part about when and how money will be paid. Without clear payment rules, you might have trouble getting paid on time or arguments about extra costs.
• Not saying who owns what. Don't forget to say who owns the finished website, the computer code, and the designs. Without this, people might fight about who can use the work.
• Not planning how to communicate. Don't ignore how you will talk to each other during the project. Without clear communication rules, people may not understand each other, and the project may be delayed.
• Writing the contract too fast. Don't rush when making your contract. If you write it too quickly, you might forget important things that protect you. Take the time to read it carefully and ensure it covers everything.

For example, rushing to start a big project, a developer quickly writes a contract but forgets to include a warranty limitation clause. When the website has problems 2 years later, the customer demands free fixes forever because the contract doesn't say when the developer's responsibility ends.

• Forgetting about secrets and problem-solving. Don't forget to include rules about keeping business information private. Also, plan how you will solve disagreements if they happen, or you won't know what to do if problems come up.

How to use our FREE Web Developer Contract Template

• Download our free template that already has all the essential parts you need. 
• Make it look like your business by adding your company name, logo, and contact information. 
• Fill in the highlighted sections with details about your specific project and customer information. 
• Before sending it, read through everything carefully to ensure it's correct. 
• Save a copy as your main template so you can use it again for other website projects.

Conclusion

Thanks for learning about web developer contracts with us. 

Building websites is exciting work, and having good contracts lets you focus on the creative parts instead of worrying about business problems. This template takes care of the legal details, allowing you to focus on designing amazing websites.

Managing all your projects and keeping track of client feedback can get overwhelming as your business grows. ManyRequests helps you stay organized by consolidating all your project information, contracts, and client messages in one easy-to-access location. You can try it free for 14 days to see how much easier it makes running your web design business.