[Blix]

Everyone who engages in the business of design should use a contract, this protects you and your clients.

Just as you should never begin a job without a deposit, you should also never begin a job without a contract.

Many beginning designers feel awkward about asking for deposits and signed contracts. While a deposit can be a little difficult to justify, a contract isn't at all difficult to justify.

Some important elements a good design contract should contain are:

1. Purpose and goals of site
2. Domain name, hosting
3. Description of graphic content
4. Features/Functions/Scripts
5. Keywords & other spider food
6. Cross-browser and cross-resolution
7. Submit to search engines
8. Regular maintenance
9. Estimated cost and payment schedule
10. Ownership rights
11. Confidentiality statement
12. Design credit statement
13. Delivery date, approximate or specific
14. Early termination procedures
15. Charges for meetings/conferences
16. Charges for ammendments
17. Time limits for quotes, acceptance of mockups etc.

Get these elements together and then visit a lawyer and ask them to go over it with you, ask them to add anything they feel is necessary.

If you have trouble getting a client to sign then you could tell them that it protects them as much as it protects you. That you are BOTH legally bound to abide by the contract.

If a client refuses to sign a contract, then they are not a client you want to have when the going gets tough.

Please find enclosed one of my businesses contracts, you are welcome to use this for your own use but you will have to personalize it for your business. I recommend seeking legal advice on your contracts contents.

If you download my contract please let me know if it is useful or drop a thankyou at the end of this thread.

Download sample file here

Blix

[3cellhosting]

Hi Blix

It was good to see how other people handle this area of business.

My contract is more along the lines of a building set. There is a main page for client contact and details. Then I select various pages depending on the client needs. For example - I have separate contract pages for design, hosting, software, domains, Search Engine Optimization etc.

Once I conclude discussions with the client they get the relevant pages populated with their needs. This means each contract could be different without having to go into legal overkill. Every client gets a Contract Title Page, Payment Page and Terms & Conditions along with at least one other page for the service they are buying (more services = more contract pages = more money).

Thanks for sharing (I will post mine after a few amendments)

Regards

David

[thebookish]

I think you have a really great contract, It will really protect you and your customer, that is a good idea as I need to update my contract. I think I will take you sample and go visit some lawyers.