What you need in your website design contracts!

Websites Made Simple: How to have a successful website design business

Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple!

I’m Holly Christie, your host, and I’m thrilled to have you here. As someone who’s been in the website design game for over a decade, I know how tricky—and sometimes overwhelming—the world of web design can be, especially when it comes to protecting yourself with the right contracts.

In this episode, I’m explaining what you absolutely need to include in your website design contracts.

I share the essentials from my own real-world experience: how to create agreements that keep both you and your clients accountable, why you need detailed terms of service alongside your contract, and the must-have clauses to avoid headaches like scope creep, project delays, or ghosting clients.

I’ll walk you through practical strategies for outlining timelines, handling changes, protecting your intellectual property, and making sure your liabilities are clear—plus, I’ll offer friendly tips on navigating cancellations and abandoned projects.

Whether you’re brand new to contracts or looking to shore up your existing ones, this episode will give you the tools and confidence you need to run your web design business smoothly.

So, let’s get started and make sure you—and your clients—are always on the same page!

Timestamped summary

00:00 Essential Website Design Contract Elements

05:29 "Showcase Client Testimonials"

08:18 Website Build: Quote and Timeline Management

12:42 Project Cancellation and Abandonment Guidelines

15:21 Web Design Project Terms & Conditions

18:28 Send Terms Before Project Start

Mentioned in this episode:

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