IN THIS ARTICLE · 9 PARTS
Most problems between businesses and web designers come from things that were never written down. A clear agreement protects both sides. Before you sign, check these points. This is practical guidance, not legal advice; for anything complex, ask a lawyer.
Scope: what exactly will be built
- the number and type of pages
- features such as forms, booking, languages or a shop
- who writes the texts and provides the photos
- how many rounds of design changes are included
"A modern website" is not a scope. A list of pages and features is.
Timeline
- the start date and the launch date
- what you need to deliver, and by when
- what happens if either side is late
Price and payments
- the total price and what it includes
- the payment schedule, for example a deposit and the rest at launch, or monthly
- what costs extra, with prices: extra pages, extra changes, urgent work
- for monthly plans: the minimum term, notice period and any price changes
Compare with how much a website costs in 2026.
Ownership
ICANN, which coordinates domain names worldwide, sets out the rights of the domain holder, so the holder should be you [1].
- the domain is registered in your business's name
- you own your content: texts, photos and logo
- what you receive if you leave: your content, and the design or code if agreed
See domain and hosting explained.
After launch
- hosting: who provides it and what it costs
- updates, backups and security
- how you request changes and how fast they are done
- support hours and response times
More in what website maintenance includes and what it costs.
Data and legal
In the EU, personal data collected through the website falls under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) [2]; the European Commission has a plain-language overview of the rules for businesses [3].
- who is responsible for the privacy policy and cookie notice
- how personal data from forms is handled, in line with GDPR
- accessibility requirements, if they apply to your business
Ending the agreement
- how either side can end it, and with how much notice
- how the domain and content are handed over
- what happens to the site and the hosting
A good contract is boring: everything you will rely on later is written down clearly.
Ask before you sign
If something is unclear, ask for it to be written in. A good partner will not mind. Start with 15 questions to ask before you hire a web designer, and if you want to see how we handle these points, get in touch.
References
- ICANN. "Registrants' Benefits and Responsibilities." icann.org
- EUR-Lex (European Union). "Regulation (EU) 2016/679 – General Data Protection Regulation." eur-lex.europa.eu
- European Commission. "Data protection: rules for business and organisations." commission.europa.eu
