Things to add in your web designing contract

A contract is a legally binding agreement between two persons. Hence, a free lance web designer should learn the importance of the contract. Getting into the groove of things is always the toughest part. What pierces the heart is the initial mistake that we commit. Well, we all go through the same woes during the initial days, but to make the integration process smoother, you need to understand the intricacies of the contract.

The contract can be simple or complicated, and the terms of the contract will depend upon the complexity of the project. The idea is that whether the contract is small or big it should have following elements included in it.

Compass of the work

Web design company frames the processes to ensure that web designers receive their on boarding plan in the initial days.

The contract must explicitly state, what kind of services is being performed and what kind of services is being proffered in the contract.  You can also enlist the things that cannot be provided, in a specific situation.

It may include things like

·         Number of web pages you need to built

·         Type of graphics that you need to add

·         The nature of content that needs to be written

·         Number of scripts or CGI’s that is required

·         Other nitty gritties like whether flash needs to be incorporated in the website or not, etc.

Due to increasing consumerisation movement in IT, the contract can evolve. Hence, the scope of work enhance, in such situation don’t forget to charge additional fees, as you deserve it.

Payment Details

The contract should state the payment details in black and white manner. The details may include following things

·         The amount that you owe to the web design company

·         Whether you charge payment on upfront bases or on completion of the task

·         Whether you charge on per hour basis or a flat fee

·         Do you have a specific milestone?

·         Another key issue is whether you transfer the files on receiving the payment or you want to specify the file that would be given only after the payment.

·         The platform like Elance, fiverr and freelancer.com is quite safe as compared to working for someone on individual basis. The major underlying reason is; if your payment is not provided, you can raise a dispute against the client. In turn, it will affect the credibility of the company.

·         Don’t forget to add additional cost involved in purchasing domain or setting up hosting service.

·         In case, you are not using any of the above mentioned platforms, you need to specify the mode i.e. how you want to get paid. PayPal account is considered as safest mode of payment. Else, if client is local, you can always pay via online bank transfer.

·         Last but not the least, it is important to take a look on the plans of contract itself.

Furthermore, don’t sell your services for cheap. No doubt, cheap web design has become need of an hour, but what are the reasons for this trend to catch up?

Markets are filled with cheap web design services, hence to keep your customer happy and productive you proffer services at a low rate. Adopting this policy will lead you to nowhere.

If you can reduce capital and operating costs, you can be a part of rat race, otherwise be careful.

Milestone dates

In most of the web designing projects, milestone dates will be included in it. The contractor can create a milestone and fund it later or instantly release your payment. It all depends upon the size of the contract, relationship with your contractor, etc.

Even on the small project certain deadlines are set.

Revisions in the work done

Undoubtedly, a good web designer will make the changes according to their client’s recommendations. Be sure that you don’t get stuck in the spiral of revising. The least you can do is specify the time within which all the revisions need to be submitted. For instance, you can grant 5 business days after making the first draft. Don’t adopt too much laxity and flexibility in feedback and revisions part. Also, include a number of times, you can provide revisions.

Errands that your client should perform

Don’t forget to add responsibilities that you need your client to perform. Web designers need to look into measures to protect themselves from undue obligations like,

·         Who will provide the content?

·         Who will provide the images?

·         Who will entertain your queries?

Today organizations are increasingly demanding access to real time information; hence cross browser testing creates a significant impact. A freelance web designer is responsible to perform cross browser testing, so that information can be accessed anytime, anywhere and on devices made of their choice.

The contract should explicitly state that you are not responsible for the delay from client’s side. If it’s your duty to live upto the expectations of client it’s the duty of client too, to assign the work on time.

Intellectual right

The contract must clearly state whether you have ownership right or not. It can be a major cause of concern, so your contract should address whether you have an exclusive right or not.

Wrap up

 Evaluation of the contract and assessments of risk associated with it needs to be done on continuous basis. Another challenge is draw a line between the repeated templates that you offer.

SOURCE : http://www.articlesbase.com/web-design-articles/things-to-add-in-your-web-designing-contract-6070300.html

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Created on Jul 24th 2012 05:22. Viewed 100 times.

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