What is a web development agreement?

A web development agreement is a contract for freelance developers building websites, web apps, or digital products. It covers the technical details that generic contracts miss - things like hosting, browser compatibility, post-launch bugs, and code ownership.

Web projects are notorious for scope creep and miscommunication. This template is designed to prevent both by getting the technical and commercial terms clear before you write a single line of code.

When should you use one?

Any web project - building a new site, redesigning an existing one, developing a web application, creating an e-commerce store, or building custom functionality. Whether you're using WordPress, Webflow, Shopify, or coding from scratch.

What's included

Technical specifications - a section to define the tech stack, CMS, hosting requirements, browser/device compatibility, and any third-party integrations.

Development phases - breaks the project into stages (discovery, design, development, testing, launch) with milestones and payment triggers.

Content responsibility - who provides the copy, images, and other content. Delays caused by missing content from the client are covered.

Testing and bug fixes - defines the testing period after launch, what counts as a bug versus a new feature request, and how long bug fixes are included for free.

Hosting and domain - who's responsible for hosting costs, domain registration, and ongoing server maintenance after handover.

Code ownership and handover - the client gets full ownership of the code on final payment. Includes provisions for handing over logins, documentation, and source files.