[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":518},["ShallowReactive",2],{"document-website-development-agreement-D14084":3},{"document":4,"label":23,"preview":11,"thumb":24,"description":5,"descriptionCustom":6,"apiDescription":5,"pages":8,"extension":10,"parents":25,"breadcrumb":29,"related":37,"customDescModule":177,"customdescription":6,"mdFm":178,"mdProseHtml":517},{"description":5,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":7,"pages":8,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":11,"thumb":12,"svgFrame":13,"seoMetadata":14,"parents":16,"keywords":15},"WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT This Website Development Agreement (the \"Agreement\") is made and effective this [DATE], BETWEEN: [CLIENT NAME] (the \"Client\"), an [individual/company] with its principal place of business located at: [YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [DEVELOPER NAME] (the \"Developer\"), a company organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], [COUNTRY], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] WHEREAS, the Client desires to engage the Developer for the design and development of a website under the terms and conditions set forth herein; WHEREAS, the Developer agrees to provide such services to the Client in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; IT IS HEREBY AGREED THAT: SCOPE OF SERVICES 1.1 The Developer agrees to design and develop a website for the Client as described in Exhibit A. [Attach detailed project description and specifications.] 1.2 The Developer will provide the following services: a. Website design, including layout, graphics, and navigation. b. Website development, including coding and programming. c. Integration of any required third-party services or APIs. d. Testing and debugging of the website. e. Deployment of the website to the hosting environment specified by the Client. f. Providing documentation and training materials as needed. 1.3 Any additional services not specified in Exhibit A will be considered out-of-scope and will require a separate agreement or addendum. PROJECT TIMELINE 2.1 The Developer will commence work on the project on [START DATE] and will use reasonable efforts to complete the project by [END DATE]. 2.2 The Developer will provide the Client with a detailed project timeline, including key milestones and deliverable dates. 2.3 The Developer will keep the Client informed of the progress of the project and will promptly notify the Client of any delays or issues that may affect the project timeline. COMPENSATION 3.1 The Client agrees to pay the Developer a total fee of [TOTAL AMOUNT] for the services provided under this Agreement, payable as follows: a. [AMOUNT] upon signing of this Agreement. b. [AMOUNT] upon completion of [SPECIFIC MILESTONE]. c. [AMOUNT] upon final delivery and acceptance of the website. 3.2 The Developer will submit invoices to the Client in accordance with the payment schedule outlined above. 3.3 The Client agrees to pay each invoice within [NUMBER OF DAYS] days of receipt. 3.4 Late payments will incur a late fee of [LATE FEE AMOUNT] or [PERCENTAGE]% per month until paid in full. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES 4.1 The Client agrees to provide the Developer with all necessary content, materials, and information required for the development of the website. 4.2 The Client will designate a primary contact person who will be available to provide feedback, answer questions, and make decisions in a timely manner. 4.3 The Client agrees to review and provide feedback on deliverables within [NUMBER OF DAYS] days of receipt. CONFIDENTIALITY 5.1 The Developer agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all proprietary and confidential information of the Client, both during and after the term of this Agreement. 5.2 The Developer will not disclose any confidential information to third parties without prior written consent from the Client. 5.3 The obligations of confidentiality will survive the termination of this Agreement. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 6.1 Upon full payment of all fees due under this Agreement, the Developer will transfer to the Client all rights, title, and interest in and to the website, including any source code, graphics, and content created by the Developer. 6.2 The Developer retains the right to use any general knowledge, skills, and experience gained during the development of the website for other projects and clients. 6.3 The Client represents and warrants that it owns or has obtained the necessary licenses or permissions for any content provided to the Developer for inclusion in the website. WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS 7",null,"Website Development Agreement","7",513,"doc","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/website-development-agreement-D14084.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/14084.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#14084.xml",{"title":15,"description":6},"website development agreement",[17,20],{"label":18,"url":19},"Sales & Marketing","/templates/sales-marketing/",{"label":21,"url":22},"Marketing Plan","/templates/marketing-plan/","Website Development Agreement Template","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/400px/14084.png",[26,17,20],{"label":27,"url":28},"Templates","/templates/",[30,31,34],{"label":27,"url":28},{"label":32,"url":33},"Legal Agreements","/templates/business-legal-agreements/",{"label":35,"url":36},"Development Agreements","/templates/development-agreements/",[38,42,46,50,54,58,62,66,70,74,78,82,86,101,117,129,145,160],{"label":39,"url":40,"thumb":41,"extension":10},"Checklist Drafting Web Site Development Agreements","/template/checklist-drafting-web-site-development-agreements-D5180","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/5180.png",{"label":43,"url":44,"thumb":45,"extension":10},"Web Site Hosting Agreement","/template/web-site-hosting-agreement-D776","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/776.png",{"label":47,"url":48,"thumb":49,"extension":10},"Web Site Development and Service Agreement","/template/web-site-development-and-service-agreement-D5181","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/5181.png",{"label":51,"url":52,"thumb":53,"extension":10},"Website Design Agreement","/template/website-design-agreement-D821","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/821.png",{"label":55,"url":56,"thumb":57,"extension":10},"Website License Agreement","/template/website-license-agreement-D825","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/825.png",{"label":59,"url":60,"thumb":61,"extension":10},"Website Design Consultation Agreement","/template/website-design-consultation-agreement-D822","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/822.png",{"label":63,"url":64,"thumb":65,"extension":10},"Website Design Non-Disclosure Agreement","/template/website-design-non-disclosure-agreement-D823","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/823.png",{"label":67,"url":68,"thumb":69,"extension":10},"Development and Publishing Agreement","/template/development-and-publishing-agreement-D5190","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/5190.png",{"label":71,"url":72,"thumb":73,"extension":10},"Economic Development Agreement","/template/economic-development-agreement-D13006","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/13006.png",{"label":75,"url":76,"thumb":77,"extension":10},"Website Design, Hosting and Commercial Services Agreement","/template/website-design-hosting-and-commercial-services-agreement-D824","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/824.png",{"label":79,"url":80,"thumb":81,"extension":10},"Joint Development Agreement Standard","/template/joint-development-agreement-standard-D887","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/887.png",{"label":83,"url":84,"thumb":85,"extension":10},"Development Agreement General","/template/development-agreement-general-D789","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/789.png",{"description":87,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":88,"pages":89,"size":90,"extension":10,"preview":91,"thumb":92,"svgFrame":93,"seoMetadata":94,"parents":95,"keywords":99,"url":100},"INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT This Independent Contractor Agreement (\"Agreement\") is made and effective [Date], BETWEEN: [INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR NAME] (the \"Independent Contractor\"), a company organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [YOUR COMPANY NAME] (the \"Company\"), a company organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS] RECITALS Independent Contractor is engaged in providing [Describe] business services, its Employer Tax I.D. Number is [Insert], and its Business License Number is [insert]. Independent Contractor has complied with all Federal, State, and local laws regarding business permits, sales permits, licenses, reporting requirements, tax withholding requirements, and other legal requirements of any kind that may be required to carry out said business and the Scope of Work which is to be performed as an Independent Contractor pursuant to this Agreement. Independent Contractor is or remains open to conducting similar tasks or activities for clients other than the Company and holds themselves out to the public to be a separate business entity. Company desires to engage and contract for the services of the Independent Contractor to perform certain tasks as set forth below. Independent Contractor desires to enter into this Agreement and perform as an independent contractor for the company and is willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth below. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and the mutual promises and conditions contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows: TERMS This Agreement shall be effective commencing [Date], and shall continue until terminated at the completion of the Scope of Work which shall occur no later than [Date] or by either party as otherwise provided herein. STATUS OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR This Agreement does not constitute a hiring by either party. It is the parties intentions that Independent Contractor shall have an independent contractor status and not be an employee for any purposes, including, but not limited to, [laws]. Independent Contractor shall retain sole and absolute discretion in the manner and means of carrying out their activities and responsibilities under this Agreement. This Agreement shall not be considered or construed to be a partnership or joint venture, and the Company shall not be liable for any obligations incurred by Independent Contractor unless specifically authorized in writing. Independent Contractor shall not act as an agent of the Company, ostensibly or otherwise, nor bind the Company in any manner, unless specifically authorized to do so in writing. TASKS, DUTIES, AND SCOPE OF WORK Independent Contractor agrees to devote as much time, attention, and energy as necessary to complete or achieve the following: [Describe]. The above to be referred to in this Agreement as the \"Scope of Work\". It is expected that the Scope of Work will completed by [Date]. Independent Contractor shall additionally perform any and all tasks and duties associated with the Scope of Work set forth above, including but not limited to, work being performed already or related change orders. Independent Contractor shall not be entitled to engage in any activities which are not expressly set forth by this Agreement. The books and records related to the Scope of Work set forth in this Agreement shall be maintained by the Independent Contractor at the Independent Contractor's principal place of business and open to inspection by Company during regular working hours. Documents to which Company will be entitled to inspect include, but are not limited to, any and all contract documents, change orders/purchase orders and work authorized by Independent Contractor or Company on existing or potential projects related to this Agreement. Independent Contractor shall be responsible to the management and directors of Company, but Independent Contractor will not be required to follow or establish a regular or daily work schedule. Supply all necessary equipment, materials and supplies. Independent Contractor will not rely on the equipment or offices of Company for completion of tasks and duties set forth pursuant to this Agreement. Any advice given Independent Contractors regarding the scope of work shall be considered a suggestion only, not an instruction. Company retains the right to inspect, stop, or alter the work of Independent Contractor to assure its conformity with this Agreement. ASSURANCE OF SERVICES Independent Contractor will assure that the following individuals (the \"Key Employees\") will be available to perform, and will perform, the Services hereunder until they are completed (identify by title and name as applicable): [Name of Key Employee, Title] [Name of Key Employee, Title] The Key Employees may be changed only with the prior written approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. COMPENSATION Independent Contractor shall be entitled to compensation for performing those tasks and duties related to the Scope of Work as follows: [Describe] Such compensation shall become due and payable to Independent Contractor in the following time, place, and manner: [Describe] NOTICE CONCERNING WITHHOLDING OF TAXES Independent Contractor recognizes and understands that it will receive a [specify tax] statement and related tax statements, and will be required to file corporate and/or individual tax returns and to pay taxes in accordance with all provisions of applicable Federal and State law. Independent Contractor hereby promises and agrees to indemnify the Company for any damages or expenses, including attorney's fees, and legal expenses, incurred by the Company as a result of independent contractor's failure to make such required payments. AGREEMENT TO WAIVE RIGHTS TO BENEFITS Independent Contractor hereby waives and foregoes the right to receive any benefits given by Company to its regular employees, including, but not limited to, health benefits, vacation and sick leave benefits, profit sharing plans, etc. This waiver is applicable to all non-salary benefits which might otherwise be found to accrue to the Independent Contractor by virtue of their services to Company, and is effective for the entire duration of Independent Contractor's agreement with Company. This waiver is effective independently of Independent Contractor's employment status as adjudged for taxation purposes or for any other purpose. Neither this Agreement, nor any duties or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned by either party without the consent of the other. TERMINATION This Agreement may be terminated prior to the completion or achievement of the Scope of Work by either party giving [number] days written notice. Such termination shall not prejudice any other remedy to which the terminating party may be entitled, either by law, in equity, or under this Agreement. NON-DISCLOSURE OF TRADE SECRETS, CUSTOMER LISTS AND OTHER PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Independent Contractor agrees not to disclose or communicate, in any manner, either during or after Independent Contractor's agreement with Company, information about Company, its operations, clientele, or any other information, that relate to the business of Company including, but not limited to, the names of its customers, its marketing strategies, operations, or any other information of any kind which would be deemed confidential, a trade secret, a customer list, or other form of proprietary information of Company. Independent Contractor acknowledges that the above information is material and confidential and that it affects the profitability of Company. ","Independent Contractor Agreement","6",62,"https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/independent-contractor-agreement-D160.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/160.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#160.xml",{"title":6,"description":6},[96],{"label":97,"url":98},"Consultant & Contractors","consulting-contractor-business","independent contractor agreement","/template/independent-contractor-agreement-D160",{"description":102,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":103,"pages":104,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":105,"thumb":106,"svgFrame":107,"seoMetadata":108,"parents":110,"keywords":109,"url":116},"NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (NDA) This Non-Disclosure Agreement (the \"Agreement\") is made and effective [DATE], BETWEEN: [YOUR COMPANY NAME] (the \"Disclosing Party\"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [RECEIVING PARTY NAME] (the \"Receiving Party\"), an individual with his main address located at OR a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] WHEREAS, Receiving Party has been or will be engaged in the performance of work on [DESCRIBE]; and in connection therewith will be given access to certain confidential and proprietary information; and WHEREAS, Receiving Party and Disclosing Party wish to evidence by this Agreement the manner in which said confidential and proprietary material will be treated. NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows: NON-DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION Both Parties understand and agree that each Party may have access to the confidential information of the other party. For the purposes of this Agreement, \"Confidential Information\" means proprietary and confidential information about the Disclosing Party's (or it's suppliers') business or activities. Such information includes all business, financial, technical, and other information marked or designated by such Party as \"confidential\" or \"proprietary.\" Confidential Information also includes information which, by the nature of the circumstances surrounding the disclosure, ought in good faith to be treated as confidential. For the purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information does not include: Information that is currently in the public domain or that enters the public domain after the signing of this Agreement. Information a Party lawfully receives from a third Party without restriction on disclosure and without breach of a non-disclosure obligation. Information that the Receiving Party knew prior to receiving any Confidential Information from the Disclosing Party. Information that the Receiving Party independently develops without reliance on any Confidential Information from the Disclosing Party. Each Party agrees that it will not disclose to any third Party or use any Confidential Information disclosed to it by the other Party except when expressly permitted in writing by the other Party. Each Party also agrees that it will take all reasonable measures to maintain the confidentiality of all Confidential Information of the other Party in its possession or control. TERM The term of this Agreement is [number] of [years/months] from the date of execution by both Parties. TITLE The Receiving Party agrees that all Confidential Information furnished by the Disclosing Party shall remain the sole property of the Disclosing Party. DISCLAIMER","Non Disclosure Agreement Nda","3","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/non-disclosure-agreement-nda-D12692.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/12692.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#12692.xml",{"title":109,"description":6},"non disclosure agreement nda",[111,113],{"label":32,"url":112},"business-legal-agreements",{"label":114,"url":115},"Confidentiality Agreements","confidentiality-agreement","/template/non-disclosure-agreement-nda-D12692",{"description":118,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":119,"pages":89,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":120,"thumb":121,"svgFrame":122,"seoMetadata":123,"parents":125,"keywords":124,"url":128},"SERVICE AGREEMENT This SERVICE AGREEMENT (\"Agreement\") is effective [DATE], BETWEEN: [COMPANY NAME] (the \"Contractor\"), a company organized and existing under the laws of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [COMPANY NAME] (the \"Customer\"), a company organized and existing under the laws of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] (The Contractor and the Customer shall be individually referred to as a \"Party\" and collectively referred to as the \"Parties\", as the context may require). WHEREAS A. Contractor has experience and expertise in [DESCRIBE EXPERIENCE AND SERVICE]. B. Customer desires to have Contractor provide services for them. C. Contractor desires to provide services to Customer on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the \"Services\"). NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals, the representations, warranties, and agreements contained in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are now acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows: SERVICES PROVIDED Beginning on upon agreement to this contract, [CONTRACTOR] will provide to [CUSTOMER] the following service (collectively, the /Services\"): Description of the project: [DESCRIBE THE SERVICE REQUIRED]. SCOPE OF WORK Contractor agrees to provide Services pursuant to the Scope of Work set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto (the \"Scope of Work\"). TERM Unless both parties mutually agree on an extension, this contract will automatically terminate on [SPECIFY]. PERFORMANCE The parties agree to do everything possible to ensure that the terms of this Agreement take effect. PAYMENT FOR SERVICES In exchange for the Services rendered, a payment of [SPECIFY] will be made to the Contractor upon completion of the scheduled Services described in this Contract. If an invoice is not paid on the due date, interest will be added to the current balance. These amounts shall be payable, and the Customer shall pay all overdue amounts at the lesser of [SPECIFY] per cent per annum or the maximum percentage permitted by applicable law. Or Customer will pay Contractor as follows: [SPECIFY]. DELIVERY OF SERVICES The Contractor will exercise due diligence in the provision of services. However, the Customer acknowledges that the indicated delivery times and other payment milestones listed in Scope of Work are estimates and do not constitute final delivery dates. SECURITY The Contractor must make reasonable security arrangement to protect Material from unauthorized access, collection, use, alteration or disposal. OWNERSHIP RIGHT The Customer shall hold the copyright for the agreed version of the Services as delivered, and the Customer's copyright notice may be displayed in the final version. All works, ideas, discoveries, inventions, patents, products or other information that may be protected by copyright (collectively, the \"Work Product\" developed in whole or in part by the Contractor in connection with the Services, shall be the exclusive property of the Customer. Upon request, the Contractor shall execute all documents necessary to confirm or perfect the exclusive ownership of the Customer's \"Work Product\". The Contractor retains exclusive rights to pre-existing materials used in the Customer's projects. The Customer shall not have the right to reuse, resell or otherwise transfer material belonging to the contractor or third parties. The Contractor reserves the right to use the finished public product as an example of a product. RETURN OF PROPERTY Upon the expiry or termination of this Agreement, the Contractor will return to the Customer any property, documentation, records or Confidential Information which is the property of the Customer. COMPENSATION For all services rendered by the Contractor under this Agreement, the Customer shall indemnify the Contractor. In the event that the Customer fails to make any of the payments mentioned, the Contractor shall have the right, but shall not be obliged, to exercise any of the following remedies: ","Service Agreement","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/service-agreement-D12711.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/12711.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#12711.xml",{"title":124,"description":6},"service agreement",[126,127],{"label":32,"url":112},{"label":32,"url":112},"/template/service-agreement-D12711",{"description":130,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":131,"pages":132,"size":133,"extension":10,"preview":134,"thumb":135,"svgFrame":136,"seoMetadata":137,"parents":138,"keywords":143,"url":144},"CUSTOM SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT This Custom Software Development Agreement (the \"Agreement\") is made and effective [DATE], BETWEEN: [CUSTOMER NAME] (the \"Customer\"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [YOUR COMPANY NAME] (the \"Developer\"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS] RECITALS WHEREAS Customer wishes to [DESCRIBE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED], and wants to hire Developer to develop these custom software packages, and; WHEREAS Developer desires to develop these custom software packages for Customer: NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto, intending, to be legally bound, agree as follows: Purpose of Agreement Customer desires to retain Developer as an independent contractor to develop the computer software (the \"Software\") described in the Functional Specifications contained in Exhibit A attached to and made part of this Agreement. Developer is ready, willing and able to undertake the development of the Software and agrees to do so under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Preparation of Development Plan Developer shall prepare a development plan (\"Development Plan\") for the Software, satisfying the requirements set forth in the Functional Specifications. The Development Plan shall include: Detailed Specifications for the Software; A listing of all items to be delivered to Customer under this Agreement (\"Deliverables\"); A delivery schedule containing a delivery date for each Deliverable; and A payment schedule setting forth the amount and time of Developer's compensation. ACCEPTANCE OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN Developer shall deliver the Development Plan to Customer by [DEVELOPMENT PLAN DEADLINE]. Customer shall have [NUMBER] days to review the Development Plan. Upon approval of the Development Plan by Customer, it will be marked as Exhibit B and will be deemed by both parties to have become a part of this Agreement and will be incorporated by reference. Developer shall then commence development of Software that will substantially conform to the requirements set forth in the Development Plan. If the Development Plan is in Customer's reasonable judgment unsatisfactory in any material respect, Customer shall prepare a detailed written description of the objections. Customer shall deliver such objections to Developer within [NUMBER] days of receipt of the Development Plan. Developer shall then have [NUMBER] days to modify the Development Plan to respond to Customer's objections. Customer shall have [NUMBER] days to review the modified Development Plan. If Customer deems the modified Development Plan to be unacceptable, Customer has the option of terminating this Agreement upon written notice to Developer or permitting Developer to modify the Development Plan again under the procedure outlined in this paragraph. If this Agreement is terminated, the obligations of both parties under it shall end except for Customer's obligation to pay Developer all sums due for preparing the Development Plan and the ongoing obligations of confidentiality set forth in the provision of this Agreement entitled \"Confidentiality.\" Payment for Development Plan If the Development Plan is not accepted by Customer and Customer terminates this Agreement, Developer shall be entitled to compensation on a time and materials basis at an hourly rate of [HOURLY RATE] plus expenses to the date of termination. Developer shall submit an invoice detailing its time and expenses preparing the Development Plan. If the invoice amount is less than the amounts paid to Developer prior to termination, Developer shall promptly return the excess to Customer. If the invoice amount exceeds the amounts paid to Developer prior to termination, Customer shall promptly pay Developer the difference. However, Developer's total compensation for preparing the Development Plan shall not exceed [AMOUNT]. Payment [TIME AND MATERIALS AGREEMENT] Developer shall be compensated at the rate of [RATE] per hour [OR \"day,\" \"week,\" \"month\"]. Payment will be made within [NUMBER OF DAYS] days of Developer's submission of an invoice for work completed. [OPTIONAL: \"Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by Customer, Customer's maximum liability for all services performed during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed [MAXIMUM AMOUNT].\"] OR [FIXED PRICE AGREEMENT] The total contract price shall be set forth in the Development Plan. Customer shall pay the Developer the sum of [INITIAL AMOUNT] upon execution of this Agreement and the sum of [AMOUNT IF PLAN APPROVED] upon Customer's approval of the Development Plan. The remainder of the contract price shall be payable in installments according to the payment schedule to be included in the Development Plan. Each installment shall be payable upon completion of each project phase by Developer and acceptance by Customer in accordance with the provision of this Agreement entitled \"Acceptance Testing of Software.\" Payment of Developer's Costs Customer shall reimburse Developer for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Developer in performing services under this Agreement. Such expenses include, but are not limited, to: All communications charges Costs for providing conversion services for converting Customer's database Media costs Travel expenses other than normal commuting, including airfares, rental vehicles, and highway mileage in company or personal vehicles at [cents per mile] Other expenses resulting from the work performed under this Agreement. Developer shall submit an itemized statement of Developer's expenses. Customer shall pay Developer within [NUMBER] days from the date of each statement. Late Fees Late payments by Customer shall be subject to late penalty fees of [%] per month from the due date until the amount is paid. Materials Customer shall make available to Developer, at Customer's expense, the following materials, facilities and equipment: [LIST] These items will be provided to Customer by [DATE]. Changes in Project Scope If at any time following acceptance of the Development Plan by Customer, Customer should desire a change in Developer's performance under this Agreement that will alter or amend the Specifications or other elements of the Development Plan, Customer shall submit to Developer a written proposal specifying the desired changes. Developer will evaluate each such proposal at its standard rates and charges. Developer shall submit to Customer a written response to each such proposal within [NUMBER] working days following receipt thereof. Developer's written response shall include a statement of the availability of Developer's personnel and resources, as well as any impact the proposed changes will have on the contract price, delivery dates or warranty provisions of this Agreement. Changes to the Development Plan shall be evidenced by a \"Development Plan Modification Agreement.\" The Development Plan Modification Agreement shall amend the Development Plan appropriately to incorporate the desired changes and acknowledge any effect of such changes on the provisions of this Agreement. The Development Plan Modification Agreement shall be signed by authorized representatives of Customer and Developer, whereupon Developer shall commence performance in accordance with it. Should Developer not approve the Development Plan Modification Agreement as written, Developer will so notify Customer within [NUMBER] working days of Developer's receipt of the Development Plan Modification Agreement. Developer shall not be obligated to perform any services beyond those called for in the Development Plan prior to its approval of the Development Plan Modification Agreement.","Custom Software Development Agreement","16",116,"https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/custom-software-development-agreement-D787.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/787.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#787.xml",{"title":6,"description":6},[139,142],{"label":140,"url":141},"Software & Technology","software-technology-business",{"label":140,"url":141},"custom software development agreement","/template/custom-software-development-agreement-D787",{"description":146,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":147,"pages":8,"size":148,"extension":10,"preview":149,"thumb":150,"svgFrame":151,"seoMetadata":152,"parents":153,"keywords":158,"url":159},"INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT This Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement (the \"Agreement\") is effective [DATE], BETWEEN: [YOUR COMPANY NAME] (the \"Assignor\"), a company organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [COMPANY NAME] (the \"Assignee\"), a company organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [COMPANY NAME] (the \"Shareholder\"), a company organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] PREAMBLE WHEREAS [YOUR COMPANY NAME] owns all rights in a patent registered with the [COUNTRY] Patent Office under file number [NUMBER], serial number [NUMBER], entitled [SPECIFY] (the \"Patent\"); WHEREAS [YOUR COMPANY NAME] wishes to assign all rights and title in and to the Patent [COMPANY NAME]; WHEREAS the parties wish to enter into this Agreement on the terms and conditions more particularly provided herein. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises and agreements herein contained, the preamble forming an integral part hereof, the parties agree as follows: DEFINITIONS In this Agreement, except where the context or subject matter is inconsistent therewith, the following terms shall have the following meanings: \"Affiliates\" means, with respect to a Party to this Agreement, any person which, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Party. The term \"control\" means possession, direct or indirect, of the powers to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through ownership of equity participation, voting securities, or beneficial interests, by contract, by agreement or otherwise. \"Agreement\" shall mean this document, the annexed schedules, which are incorporated herein, together with any future written and executed amendments agreed to by the parties. \"Assigned Rights\" shall mean all rights and title in the Patent and all Intellectual Property Rights in the technology described in the Patent, in all countries. \"Improvements\" means innovations, inventions, ideas, designs, concepts, discoveries, techniques, works, processes, formulas, new derived material and modifications related to the Patent, whether or not patentable, copyrightable, or otherwise protectable as trade secrets or under any other intellectual property, conceived, brought to practice or developed by either Party after the date of this Agreement. \"Intellectual Property Rights\" includes all patents, trade marks, service marks, registered designs, integrated circuits topographies, including applications for any of the foregoing, and includes all copyrights, design rights, know-how, confidential information, trade secrets and any other similar rights in [COUNTRY] and in any other countries. \"Patent\" shall mean the patent described in recitals hereof and its counterpart applications in any country, now or thereafter owned by [YOUR COMPANY NAME] or to which [YOUR COMPANY NAME] otherwise acquires rights, including any patent application, divisional, continuation, provisional, reissue, re-examination, extension certificate, registration, renewal, confirmation and national phase entry application related to such Patent. ASSIGNMENT OF PATENT Subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, [YOUR COMPANY NAME] hereby irrevocably assigns to [COMPANY NAME] all rights and title and any other rights to the Patent as well as all Intellectual Property Rights in the technology described in the Patent, in all countries. The parties hereby recognize that any and all Intellectual Property Rights in any Improvements shall be held by [COMPANY NAME]. The parties hereby recognize that no Intellectual Property Rights are assigned, licensed or otherwise granted under this Agreement, save and except as explicitly stated in this Section 2. COMPENSATION In consideration of the Assigned Rights, [COMPANY NAME] agrees to pay [YOUR COMPANY NAME] the sum of [AMOUNT] (the \"Purchase Price\") payable upon the execution of this Agreement by all of the parties hereto. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES The Guarantors represent and warrant on a joint and several basis to [COMPANY NAME] that: the Patent and [COMPANY NAME]'s use of the Patent does not, to the best knowledge of the Guarantors, infringe upon any patent, or any trademark, copyright, trade secret or other Intellectual Property Rights or proprietary right of any third party, and that there is currently no actual or threatened suit against [YOUR COMPANY NAME] by any third party based on an alleged violation of such right, and the Guarantors do not know of any basis for any such action; there are no outstanding assignments, grants, licenses, liens, encumbrances, obligations or agreements (whether written, oral or implied) regarding the Patent; [YOUR COMPANY NAME] has all rights, power and authority required in order to grant the Assigned Rights free and clear of all encumbrances or legal restrictions, in accordance with this Agreement; [YOUR COMPANY NAME] has good and marketable title to the Patent; there is no requirement for [YOUR COMPANY NAME] to obtain any other authorization, consent or approval from any third party as a condition to the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement or the lawful conclusion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; Notwithstanding any investigation conducted prior to the execution of this Agreement, and notwithstanding implied knowledge or notice of any fact or circumstance which [COMPANY NAME] may have as a result of such investigation or otherwise, [COMPANY NAME] shall be entitled to rely upon the representations and warranties set forth herein and the obligations of [YOUR COMPANY NAME] hereto with respect to such representations and warranties shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason. The Guarantors, on a joint and several basis, shall indemnify and hold [COMPANY NAME] harmless from all losses, liabilities, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs (collectively, \"Liabilities\"), that [COMPANY NAME] may suffer to the extent resulting from any claims, demands, actions or other proceedings made or instituted by any third party against [COMPANY NAME] and arising out of the use of the Patent, or related to the breach of any obligation or any representation and warranty under this Agreement, except for Liabilities arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of [COMPANY NAME]. TERM AND TERMINATION This Agreement shall take effect upon the execution hereof by both parties hereto, and, unless sooner terminated as per paragraph 5.2 below, shall remain in effect until the expiration of the Patent. Upon any material breach or default under this Agreement by either Party, the other Party may give notice of such breach or default and, unless the same shall be cured within [NUMBER] days after delivery of such notice, then, without limitation of any other remedy available hereunder, such Party may terminate this Agreement immediately upon delivery of a notice of termination to the other Party at any time thereafter. The termination of this Agreement by either of the Parties shall be subject to all other rights and remedies available to the Parties hereunder or otherwise. NOTICE","Intellectual Property Assignment",80,"https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/intellectual-property-assignment-D5229.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/5229.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#5229.xml",{"title":6,"description":6},[154,155],{"label":32,"url":112},{"label":156,"url":157},"Transfer & Assignment Agreements","transfer-assignment-agreement","intellectual property assignment","/template/intellectual-property-assignment-D5229",{"description":161,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":162,"pages":163,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":164,"thumb":165,"svgFrame":166,"seoMetadata":167,"parents":169,"keywords":168,"url":176},"CHANGE ORDER A Change Order is a document used in project management and construction to record any modifications to the original project scope, timeline, or budget. This Change Order template should be customized to fit your specific project's requirements. It's important to have all parties involved in the change order process review and sign off on the document to ensure clear communication and agreement regarding the modifications to the project. CHANGE ORDER Project Details Project Name: [Enter Project Name] Project ID/Number: [Enter Project ID/Number] Client/Customer: [Client/Customer Name] Project Manager: [Project Manager Name] Original Project Details Scope of Work: [Describe the original scope of work] Project Timeline: [Original Project Start Date] to [Original Project End Date] Budget: [Original Budget Amount] Requested Changes Change Description: [Describe the requested change(s) in detail] Reason for Change: [Explain the reason or necessity for the change] Impact Assessment Scope Change: [Specify how the scope of work is affected]","Change Order","2","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/change-order-D13613.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/13613.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#13613.xml",{"title":168,"description":6},"change order",[170,173],{"label":171,"url":172},"Business Plan Kit","business-plan-kit",{"label":174,"url":175},"Business Procedures","business-procedures","/template/change-order-D13613",false,{"seo":179,"reviewer":191,"legal_disclaimer":195,"quick_facts":196,"at_a_glance":198,"personas":202,"variants":227,"glossary":255,"clauses":288,"how_to_fill":339,"common_mistakes":380,"faqs":405,"industries":433,"comparisons":450,"diy_vs_lawyer":461,"jurisdictions":474,"related_template_ids_curated":495,"schema":504,"classification":505},{"meta_title":180,"meta_description":181,"primary_keyword":182,"secondary_keywords":183,"family":182,"is_canonical":177},"Website Development Agreement Template | Free Word Download","Free website development agreement template covering project scope, deliverables, IP ownership, payment, and warranties.","website development agreement template",[184,185,186,187,188,189,190],"website development contract template","web development agreement template free","website development agreement word","web design contract template","freelance web developer contract","website development services agreement","web development contract template free download",{"name":192,"credential":193,"reviewed_date":194},"Bruno Goulet","CEO, Business in a Box","2026-05-02",true,{"difficulty":197,"legal_review_recommended":195,"signature_required":195,"notarization_required":177},"advanced",{"what_it_is":199,"when_you_need_it":200,"whats_inside":201},"A Website Development Agreement is a legally binding contract between a client and a web developer or development agency that governs the creation, delivery, and ownership of a website or web application. This free Word download covers project scope, milestones, payment schedule, intellectual property assignment, confidentiality, and termination in a single document you can edit online and export as PDF.\n","Use it before any web development project begins — whether you are a business commissioning a new site, a freelancer taking on a client build, or an agency managing a multi-phase digital project. It is essential any time custom code, design, or content is being created for compensation.\n","Project scope and deliverables, milestone schedule and acceptance criteria, payment terms and late-payment provisions, intellectual property ownership and licensing, confidentiality obligations, change-order procedures, warranties, limitation of liability, and termination rights.\n",[203,207,211,215,219,223],{"title":204,"use_case":205,"icon_asset_id":206},"Freelance web developers","Protecting payment and IP rights on custom client website builds","persona-freelancer",{"title":208,"use_case":209,"icon_asset_id":210},"Web design and development agencies","Standardizing client engagements across multi-phase digital projects","persona-agency",{"title":212,"use_case":213,"icon_asset_id":214},"Small business owners","Commissioning a new website and securing deliverable guarantees","persona-small-business-owner",{"title":216,"use_case":217,"icon_asset_id":218},"Startup founders","Contracting a development shop to build an MVP or SaaS product","persona-startup-founder",{"title":220,"use_case":221,"icon_asset_id":222},"E-commerce operators","Engaging a developer for a custom storefront or platform integration","persona-retailer",{"title":224,"use_case":225,"icon_asset_id":226},"Marketing managers","Managing an external agency build on behalf of a corporate client","persona-marketing-manager",[228,232,236,240,244,247,251],{"situation":229,"recommended_template":230,"slug":231},"Hiring a freelance developer for a fixed-price project","Website Development Agreement (Fixed Price)","website-development-agreement-D14084",{"situation":233,"recommended_template":234,"slug":235},"Engaging a developer on an ongoing hourly retainer","Web Development Retainer Agreement","web-site-development-and-service-agreement-D5181",{"situation":237,"recommended_template":238,"slug":239},"Commissioning only visual design with no back-end code","Graphic Design Services Agreement","website-design-hosting-and-commercial-services-agreement-D824",{"situation":241,"recommended_template":242,"slug":243},"Building a mobile app instead of a website","Mobile App Development Agreement","development-and-publishing-agreement-D5190",{"situation":245,"recommended_template":88,"slug":246},"Engaging a contractor who will remain independent (not an employee)","independent-contractor-agreement-D160",{"situation":248,"recommended_template":249,"slug":250},"Sharing confidential project details before a contract is signed","Non-Disclosure Agreement","non-disclosure-agreement-nda-D12692",{"situation":252,"recommended_template":253,"slug":254},"Ongoing site maintenance after launch","Website Maintenance Agreement","web-site-hosting-agreement-D776",[256,259,262,265,268,270,273,276,279,282,285],{"term":257,"definition":258},"Scope of Work","A detailed written description of every task, deliverable, feature, and function the developer is contracted to produce.",{"term":260,"definition":261},"Deliverable","A specific, tangible output — such as a completed web page, functional module, or design mockup — that the developer must hand over to the client.",{"term":263,"definition":264},"Milestone","A defined project checkpoint with an agreed completion date and a corresponding payment tied to the acceptance of specific deliverables.",{"term":266,"definition":267},"Acceptance Criteria","Measurable standards a deliverable must meet before the client is obligated to approve it and release the associated payment.",{"term":162,"definition":269},"A written amendment to the original scope of work that documents additional features, revised requirements, and any adjustment to price or timeline.",{"term":271,"definition":272},"IP Assignment","A clause transferring ownership of all custom code, design assets, and content created for the project from the developer to the client upon full payment.",{"term":274,"definition":275},"Work Made for Hire","A US copyright doctrine under which certain works created by an independent contractor for a client are treated as owned by the client from inception, if the contract says so.",{"term":277,"definition":278},"Source Code Escrow","An arrangement where source code is held by a neutral third party and released to the client if the developer fails to maintain or deliver agreed software.",{"term":280,"definition":281},"Limitation of Liability","A clause capping the maximum financial exposure of either party — typically the total fees paid — regardless of the type or magnitude of damages claimed.",{"term":283,"definition":284},"Warranty Period","A defined post-launch period — typically 30 to 90 days — during which the developer must fix bugs or defects in the delivered work at no additional charge.",{"term":286,"definition":287},"Liquidated Damages","A pre-agreed sum the breaching party must pay for a specific failure — such as missing a launch deadline — instead of leaving damages to be calculated by a court.",[289,294,299,304,309,314,319,324,329,334],{"name":290,"plain_english":291,"sample_language":292,"common_mistake":293},"Parties, recitals, and project overview","Identifies the client and developer as legal entities, states the nature of the engagement, and provides a plain-language summary of the project.","This Website Development Agreement ('Agreement') is entered into as of [DATE] between [CLIENT LEGAL NAME], a [STATE/COUNTRY] [ENTITY TYPE] ('Client'), and [DEVELOPER LEGAL NAME], a [STATE/COUNTRY] [ENTITY TYPE] ('Developer'), for the development of [PROJECT NAME] as further described in Schedule A.","Using trade names instead of registered legal entity names. If the developer is a sole proprietor operating under a DBA, the contract may be unenforceable against the underlying individual.",{"name":295,"plain_english":296,"sample_language":297,"common_mistake":298},"Scope of work and deliverables","Defines precisely what will be built, including all pages, features, integrations, and technical specifications — typically detailed in a Schedule A.","Developer shall design and develop the deliverables set out in Schedule A ('Deliverables') in accordance with the technical specifications and design requirements attached thereto. Any work not expressly listed in Schedule A is out of scope.","Leaving scope as a vague paragraph in the contract body rather than a detailed Schedule A. Vague scope is the single most common cause of payment disputes and project overruns.",{"name":300,"plain_english":301,"sample_language":302,"common_mistake":303},"Project timeline and milestones","Sets start and completion dates, breaks the project into phases with specific due dates, and links each milestone to a payment and an acceptance window.","Developer shall complete each milestone by the dates set out in Schedule B. Client shall review and accept or reject each deliverable within [10] business days of receipt. Silence after [10] business days shall constitute acceptance.","Omitting a deemed-acceptance provision. Without one, a client can withhold approval indefinitely, stalling payment with no contractual remedy for the developer.",{"name":305,"plain_english":306,"sample_language":307,"common_mistake":308},"Fees, payment schedule, and late payment","States the total project fee or hourly rate, the payment schedule tied to milestones, accepted payment methods, and the interest rate charged on overdue balances.","Client shall pay Developer a total fixed fee of $[AMOUNT], payable as follows: [X]% upon execution, [X]% upon completion of Milestone 2, and [X]% upon final acceptance. Invoices unpaid after [15] days accrue interest at [1.5]% per month.","No upfront deposit clause. Developers who begin work without a deposit have no leverage if the client goes silent or disputes scope mid-project.",{"name":310,"plain_english":311,"sample_language":312,"common_mistake":313},"Intellectual property ownership and assignment","Specifies who owns the custom code, design, and content — typically transferring ownership to the client upon full payment, while allowing the developer to retain pre-existing tools and frameworks.","Upon receipt of full payment, Developer hereby assigns to Client all right, title, and interest in and to the custom Deliverables. Developer retains all rights to pre-existing tools, libraries, and frameworks ('Developer IP'), which are licensed to Client on a non-exclusive, royalty-free basis for use with the Deliverables.","No carve-out for developer pre-existing IP. Without it, the client could claim ownership of the developer's reusable component library, threatening future projects.",{"name":315,"plain_english":316,"sample_language":317,"common_mistake":318},"Client responsibilities and content delivery","Specifies what the client must provide — copy, images, access credentials, feedback, and approvals — and by when, to avoid causing project delays.","Client shall provide all content, materials, and third-party credentials required for development by [DATE] or within [5] business days of Developer's written request. Developer's timeline obligations are contingent on timely receipt of Client materials.","Treating client obligations as informal expectations rather than contract terms. When a client's delays push the launch date, the developer has no recourse without a written client-obligations clause.",{"name":320,"plain_english":321,"sample_language":322,"common_mistake":323},"Change orders and scope modifications","Establishes a formal written process for requesting and approving changes to scope, ensuring any additions are priced and documented before work begins.","Any modification to the scope of work in Schedule A requires a written Change Order executed by both parties. Developer shall provide a written quote for each change within [5] business days of the request. No out-of-scope work shall be commenced without a fully executed Change Order.","Allowing verbal or email scope changes without a formal change order. Undocumented scope creep is the second most common cause of payment disputes and margin erosion on development projects.",{"name":325,"plain_english":326,"sample_language":327,"common_mistake":328},"Warranties and post-launch support","The developer warrants the work will function as specified for a defined warranty period and will fix defects at no cost; it also clarifies what is excluded from the warranty.","Developer warrants that the Deliverables will perform materially in accordance with the specifications in Schedule A for [60] days following final acceptance ('Warranty Period'). This warranty does not cover defects caused by Client modifications, third-party services, or hosting infrastructure outside Developer's control.","An unlimited or open-ended warranty. Without a defined warranty period, developers can face support obligations years after project completion with no additional compensation.",{"name":330,"plain_english":331,"sample_language":332,"common_mistake":333},"Limitation of liability and indemnification","Caps each party's financial exposure — typically at the total fees paid — and allocates responsibility for third-party claims arising from each party's own acts.","In no event shall either party's liability exceed the total fees paid under this Agreement. Each party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other from third-party claims arising from its own breach, negligence, or infringement of third-party intellectual property rights.","No limitation of liability clause at all. A developer who delivers a site with an undetected security vulnerability could face consequential damages claims worth multiples of the project fee without a liability cap.",{"name":335,"plain_english":336,"sample_language":337,"common_mistake":338},"Termination and wind-down","Sets the conditions under which either party may terminate — for convenience or cause — and what happens to work product, payments, and data upon termination.","Either party may terminate this Agreement for cause upon [15] days' written notice if the other party materially breaches and fails to cure within that period. Client may terminate for convenience upon [30] days' written notice, in which case Developer is entitled to payment for all work completed to the date of termination.","No termination-for-convenience clause for the client. Clients who need to cancel for budget or strategic reasons — without cause — have no clean exit, leading to disputed payments and potential litigation.",[340,345,350,355,360,365,370,375],{"step":341,"title":342,"description":343,"tip":344},1,"Identify the parties with full legal names","Enter the client's and developer's registered legal entity names, jurisdiction of formation, and principal business addresses. If the developer is a sole proprietor, use their legal name and include the DBA if applicable.","Cross-check the developer's entity name against your state or provincial business registry before signing — mismatched names create enforcement problems.",{"step":346,"title":347,"description":348,"tip":349},2,"Draft a detailed Schedule A scope of work","List every page, feature, integration, and technical specification the developer will produce. Include platform (e.g., WordPress, custom React), browser compatibility requirements, and third-party services to be integrated.","If the scope is still being finalized, use a discovery phase agreement first and attach the full scope as an amendment once requirements are locked.",{"step":351,"title":352,"description":353,"tip":354},3,"Set the milestone schedule in Schedule B","Break the project into phases (e.g., wireframes, design mockups, front-end build, back-end integration, QA, launch) with a completion date and acceptance window for each. Tie each milestone to a payment tranche.","Build in a 5–10% buffer on each milestone date to absorb minor delays without triggering a formal breach.",{"step":356,"title":357,"description":358,"tip":359},4,"Complete the fee and payment schedule","Enter the total fixed fee or hourly rate, the milestone-based payment amounts, accepted payment methods, and the late-payment interest rate. Include the upfront deposit amount — typically 25–50% for fixed-price projects.","State the currency explicitly if either party is based outside the other's home country.",{"step":361,"title":362,"description":363,"tip":364},5,"Define IP ownership and developer IP carve-outs","Confirm that custom deliverables transfer to the client upon full payment. List any pre-existing frameworks, libraries, or tools the developer will use that remain their property and are licensed (not assigned) to the client.","Ask the developer to provide a list of all open-source libraries before execution and confirm their licenses are compatible with the client's intended use.",{"step":366,"title":367,"description":368,"tip":369},6,"Set the warranty period and support scope","Enter the warranty period (30–90 days is typical), define what qualifies as a defect versus a new feature request, and clarify whether post-warranty support will be covered by a separate maintenance agreement.","Attach a Website Maintenance Agreement as a follow-on document for ongoing post-launch support to avoid scope creep after the warranty expires.",{"step":371,"title":372,"description":373,"tip":374},7,"Set the liability cap and governing law","Confirm the liability cap (typically total fees paid), select the governing jurisdiction, and choose a dispute resolution mechanism — arbitration or courts. Ensure the chosen governing law is the state or country where the developer primarily operates.","For cross-border projects, specify the currency of the liability cap explicitly — 'total fees paid in USD' removes ambiguity.",{"step":376,"title":377,"description":378,"tip":379},8,"Execute before any work begins","Both parties must sign before the developer writes a single line of code. Use a dated signature block and retain fully executed copies.","Use Business in a Box eSign to timestamp execution and store the signed agreement in BIB Drive alongside Schedule A and B.",[381,385,389,393,397,401],{"mistake":382,"why_it_matters":383,"fix":384},"Vague or missing scope of work","Without a detailed Schedule A, both parties operate on different assumptions. Disputes over what was promised are the leading cause of non-payment and project abandonment in web development.","Require a line-by-line feature list and technical specification as a contract exhibit before signing. Any ambiguity in scope should be resolved in writing before work begins.",{"mistake":386,"why_it_matters":387,"fix":388},"No change order process","Verbal or email-based scope additions are treated as gifts by clients and as underpaid work by developers. Undocumented changes have no enforceable price or deadline attached to them.","Include a formal change order clause and enforce it from day one — no out-of-scope task starts without a signed, priced change order.",{"mistake":390,"why_it_matters":391,"fix":392},"Omitting an IP carve-out for developer pre-existing tools","A broad IP assignment clause with no carve-out could transfer ownership of the developer's reusable component library or proprietary framework to the client, destroying the developer's ability to use those tools on future projects.","List all pre-existing developer IP in a schedule and confirm it is licensed — not assigned — to the client for use with the delivered project only.",{"mistake":394,"why_it_matters":395,"fix":396},"No deemed-acceptance provision","Without a deadline for client review, a client can delay approval indefinitely, withholding milestone payments while the developer has no contractual basis to demand them.","Include language that deems a deliverable accepted if the client does not provide written feedback within 10 business days of delivery.",{"mistake":398,"why_it_matters":399,"fix":400},"No limitation of liability clause","A developer who ships a site with a security vulnerability or an e-commerce error could face consequential damages — lost revenue, reputational harm — worth far more than the project fee.","Cap each party's liability at the total fees paid under the agreement and expressly exclude consequential, indirect, and punitive damages.",{"mistake":402,"why_it_matters":403,"fix":404},"Starting work without a signed contract","Work begun before contract execution is governed by whatever informal agreement exists — typically nothing enforceable on IP ownership, payment, or scope.","Make it a firm policy to execute the agreement, collect the deposit, and receive written confirmation before writing any code or producing any design assets.",[406,409,412,415,418,421,424,427,430],{"question":407,"answer":408},"What is a website development agreement?","A website development agreement is a legally binding contract between a client and a web developer or agency that governs the creation of a website or web application. It defines the project scope, deliverables, timeline, payment schedule, intellectual property ownership, warranties, and termination rights. Without one, disputes over what was promised, who owns the code, and what happens if the project is cancelled have no written basis for resolution.\n",{"question":410,"answer":411},"Who owns the website code after the project is complete?","Ownership depends entirely on what the contract says. In most jurisdictions, copyright in custom code belongs to the creator by default — meaning the developer owns it unless the contract explicitly assigns it to the client. A well-drafted agreement transfers ownership of custom deliverables to the client upon full payment, while allowing the developer to retain rights to pre-existing frameworks and reusable tools they brought to the project.\n",{"question":413,"answer":414},"What should a website development agreement include?","At minimum: full legal names of both parties, a detailed scope of work (ideally in a Schedule A), milestone schedule with acceptance criteria, payment terms and late-fee provisions, IP assignment with developer pre-existing IP carve-outs, client responsibilities and content delivery obligations, a formal change order process, post-launch warranty period, limitation of liability, confidentiality, and termination rights for both parties.\n",{"question":416,"answer":417},"Do I need a website development agreement for a small freelance project?","Yes — the value of the contract is proportional to the risk, not the project size. A $2,000 freelance project without a contract can result in a $2,000 unpaid invoice or a dispute over who owns the finished site. A simple, one-document agreement drafted from a template takes under 30 minutes and eliminates those risks entirely.\n",{"question":419,"answer":420},"What is a change order and why does it matter?","A change order is a written amendment that documents any modification to the original scope of work, including the additional cost and any impact on the timeline. It matters because scope creep — clients requesting additional features informally — is one of the most common causes of unpaid work and margin erosion on development projects. A change order process ensures every addition is priced, agreed in writing, and added to the contract before work begins.\n",{"question":422,"answer":423},"What happens if the client refuses to approve a deliverable?","If the contract includes a deemed-acceptance provision, silence after the review window — typically 10 business days — constitutes acceptance and triggers the milestone payment. Without that clause, a client can withhold approval indefinitely. If the client formally rejects a deliverable, the contract should specify a written feedback process and a limited number of revision rounds before the deliverable is treated as accepted or a change order is required.\n",{"question":425,"answer":426},"Can a website development agreement be used for SaaS or app development?","The core structure — scope, milestones, IP assignment, warranties, liability cap — applies to any software development engagement. However, SaaS and mobile app projects typically involve additional complexity: source code escrow arrangements, API licensing, data processing clauses, and ongoing hosting obligations. For complex software builds, consider a dedicated software development agreement or have a lawyer adapt this template to the specific technical and commercial requirements.\n",{"question":428,"answer":429},"What governing law should I choose for a web development agreement?","Generally, choose the jurisdiction where the developer's primary place of business is located — courts are familiar with local law and the developer can access them practically. For cross-border projects, both parties should agree on a neutral jurisdiction. Note that some US states (California, in particular) apply their own IP and contractor laws regardless of what the contract states, so legal review is especially important for projects involving California-based parties.\n",{"question":431,"answer":432},"Is a website development agreement enforceable if signed electronically?","In most jurisdictions, yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the US ESIGN Act, Canada's PIPEDA and provincial equivalents, the UK Electronic Communications Act, and the EU eIDAS Regulation. The agreement should state that electronic signatures are accepted, and both parties should retain a copy of the fully executed document with timestamps.\n",[434,438,442,446],{"industry":435,"icon_asset_id":436,"specifics":437},"E-commerce and retail","industry-ecommerce","Custom storefront builds, third-party payment gateway integrations, inventory system connections, and product catalog migrations require precise scope definitions and IP clarity on custom theme code.",{"industry":439,"icon_asset_id":440,"specifics":441},"SaaS and technology","industry-saas","MVP and product builds involve proprietary algorithms, source code escrow requirements, and API licensing provisions that go beyond a standard site build.",{"industry":443,"icon_asset_id":444,"specifics":445},"Healthcare and medtech","industry-healthtech","Patient portals and health data systems require HIPAA-compliant data handling obligations, access controls, and security testing milestones written directly into the agreement.",{"industry":447,"icon_asset_id":448,"specifics":449},"Professional services","industry-professional-services","Law firms, accounting practices, and consultancies commissioning client portals or booking systems need strong confidentiality clauses and clear data ownership terms for sensitive client information.",[451,453,456,458],{"vs":88,"vs_template_id":246,"summary":452},"An independent contractor agreement establishes the general working relationship, classification, and payment terms for a self-employed individual. A website development agreement is project-specific — it governs the deliverables, milestones, IP ownership, and acceptance criteria for a defined build. For a web development engagement, use both: the contractor agreement for the relationship and the development agreement for the project.",{"vs":238,"vs_template_id":454,"summary":455},"graphic-design-agreement-D13298","A graphic design agreement covers visual deliverables — logos, mockups, and brand assets — without the software-specific provisions of a development contract. It lacks milestone-based code delivery, technical acceptance criteria, warranty periods for functional defects, and source code ownership clauses. Use the development agreement when custom code is being produced, and the design agreement when the engagement is visual-only.",{"vs":249,"vs_template_id":250,"summary":457},"An NDA protects confidential information shared between parties before or during a project but does not govern deliverables, payment, or IP ownership. For a web development project, an NDA is typically signed during the discovery or proposal phase, with the development agreement following once scope is agreed. The development agreement usually contains its own confidentiality clause, making a standalone NDA optional post-execution.",{"vs":119,"vs_template_id":459,"summary":460},"service-agreement-D12711","A general service agreement covers the provision of professional services broadly — retainer arrangements, ongoing consulting, or recurring support. It is not designed for project-based deliverable ownership, milestone-triggered payments, or technical acceptance criteria. A website development agreement is the correct document when a specific website is being built to spec for a defined price and timeline.",{"use_template":462,"template_plus_review":466,"custom_drafted":470},{"best_for":463,"cost":464,"time":465},"Freelancers and small agencies on fixed-price projects under $25,000 with a single domestic client","Free","30–45 minutes",{"best_for":467,"cost":468,"time":469},"Projects over $25,000, cross-border engagements, SaaS builds, or clients in heavily regulated industries","$400–$800","2–4 days",{"best_for":471,"cost":472,"time":473},"Enterprise builds over $100,000, projects involving sensitive data processing, source code escrow, or multi-party development consortia","$2,000–$6,000+","1–3 weeks",[475,480,485,490],{"code":476,"name":477,"flag_asset_id":478,"note":479},"us","United States","flag-us","Copyright in original code belongs to the author by default under the Copyright Act. The 'work made for hire' doctrine applies to employees but not to independent contractors unless the contract explicitly states it and the work falls into one of nine statutory categories — custom websites are not among them. An express IP assignment clause is essential. California applies Labor Code §2870, which limits IP assignment for work done entirely on the developer's own time with no company resources.",{"code":481,"name":482,"flag_asset_id":483,"note":484},"ca","Canada","flag-ca","Canadian copyright law similarly vests ownership in the creator unless assigned in writing. There is no work-made-for-hire doctrine for independent contractors equivalent to the US provision — an explicit assignment clause is mandatory. Quebec's Civil Code may affect enforceability of certain limitation of liability clauses. PIPEDA and provincial privacy laws impose obligations on any party handling personal data through the website, which should be addressed in a separate data processing clause or schedule.",{"code":486,"name":487,"flag_asset_id":488,"note":489},"uk","United Kingdom","flag-uk","Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, the first owner of copyright in commissioned work is the creator — not the client — unless the contract assigns it. An express written assignment is required for the client to own custom code and design assets. The UK Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 may restrict the enforceability of very broad limitation of liability clauses, particularly where one party is a consumer.",{"code":491,"name":492,"flag_asset_id":493,"note":494},"eu","European Union","flag-eu","IP ownership rules vary by member state, but in most EU jurisdictions copyright defaults to the developer without a written assignment. GDPR obligations are relevant whenever the website collects or processes personal data — the agreement should reference a Data Processing Agreement if the developer handles personal data on behalf of the client. Several member states (Germany, France) impose mandatory statutory protections for contractors that may limit the enforceability of certain indemnification and liability-cap provisions.",[246,250,496,459,254,497,498,499,500,501,502,503],"website-design-agreement-D821","custom-software-development-agreement-D787","intellectual-property-assignment-D5229","change-order-D13613","project-proposal-D12678","sales-invoice-D383","general-non-compete-agreement-D882","master-service-agreement-D12657",{"emit_how_to":195,"emit_defined_term":195},{"primary_folder":112,"secondary_folder":506,"document_type":507,"industry":508,"business_stage":509,"tags":510,"confidence":516},"development-agreements","agreement","general","all-stages",[511,512,513,514,515],"contract","intellectual-property","project-management","website-development","payment-terms",0.95,"\u003Ch2>What is a Website Development Agreement?\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>A \u003Cstrong>Website Development Agreement\u003C/strong> is a legally binding contract between a client and a web developer or development agency that governs the creation, delivery, and ownership of a website or web application. It specifies exactly what will be built, when each phase must be delivered, how and when payment will be made, and who owns the finished code and design assets. Unlike a general service agreement or a simple proposal email, a website development agreement creates enforceable obligations on both sides — giving the developer a legal basis to collect payment and giving the client the right to demand delivery of agreed features, warranties on functionality, and clear title to the work they commissioned.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2>Why You Need This Document\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Without a signed website development agreement, the most common and costly disputes in web development have no written basis for resolution. A developer who begins work without a contract has no enforceable right to payment if the client cancels, disputes scope, or disappears after delivery. A client who pays without a contract may discover the developer legally owns all the code — because copyright vests in the creator by default in the US, Canada, the UK, and most EU jurisdictions unless a written assignment says otherwise. Scope creep, missed deadlines, and post-launch defect responsibility all become credibility contests rather than contract interpretation questions. This template closes those gaps before a single line of code is written, protecting both parties with clearly defined scope, milestone-triggered payments, IP assignment on full payment, a formal change order process, and a capped liability exposure that prevents a billing dispute from becoming a six-figure damages claim.\u003C/p>\n",1779480679812]