The template contract will be just a simple document that outlines:

– the projects specifics .. line items are good.
– timelines – delivery dates.
– terms between the client and web designer.
– payment terms.
– payment amounts.
– what the CLIENT has to delivery … typically that means the content for the site.

There is other stuff too. But I can see how people who have never seen a contract would like to see a sample to get an idea.

Sorry for the long delay. We are putting these things together now for our soon to be live subscription based service that will give you access to all our content.

Stefan

Good information here…I have been using contracts for a few years now and have found them to actually help my bottom line. I have devised ways to implement certain up selling techniques into my proposals and contracts for services such as hosting, webmaster packages etc. that has helped me to make more money than I would have without them.

It also gives you, the web designer a professional appearance and tells the customer that you are serious about what you do, rather than talking in ambiguities and un-signed promises which will absolutely get you into trouble regardless who you’re working for.

Silly civilians (non – geek types) have no clue what it means to change a page or a site layout after the fact. It requires more than just a click here and a wave of a magic wand there… Revisions is something that needs to be spelled out clearly. And it cannot be done without a signed contract. This I have learned through the school of hard knocks my friends.

Stefan does a good job of explaining why contracts are a necessary evil, and I can vouch for not only their usefulness, but their value as a sales tool.

During the proposal step, you let your customer know that this is where details will be ironed out. Everything from design, graphics, images, layout, colors, number of pages, forms, shopping cart, and everything else you might need or encounter in the development and design of the website.

Many designers are afraid that once they have developed a good relationship with their customer, and have gotten them to the point of saying “Yes” to your initial proposal. That it would be a real buzz kill to bring up the idea of a contract. It seems that if you mention that “Oh by the way I will require you to sign a contract” you will destroy the moment and your customer will think you don’t trust them.

Not true. Yes there are right and wrong ways of presenting a contract, and the best way to do so is to “Lead” your customer up to the point of laying his/her signature on the bottom line.

During the proposal process, the way I do it, you simply mention a few times that this proposal worksheet is only a template for out final agreement which we will both sign before any work is actually done. 100% of the time your client will agree with that concept, and you have just taken the awkward moment out of the contract issue.

Note: I prefer to use the term: “Agreement” instead of contract. It has a more positive tone, and doesn’t sound so ominous.

When it comes time to have your client review the final contract just tell them in your friendly tone that this is the final agreement that was drafted completely from the initial agreed upon proposal, I will hand them a copy that I have already signed myself. That will emphasize the empty blank where they’re signature should be. Many times they will just sign it without any prompt at all from you. If they don’t sign it right away but seem to agree with everything, simply tell them “As soon as you give me your signature of approval, work can begin on your new website.” Works every time.

You will rarely encounter a question or any hesitation because you have primed the pump during the proposal process. They’re already expecting a “Final” agreement which will require their signature. Because you told them you would provide it. If you do encounter a negative response to signing any kind of contract, this it the time to re-evaluate whether or not you want to invest your time and sweat into a project for this customer. Better to find out now than after you’ve completed half the website.

Most times all your customer will require is a small re-assurance that this is for both parties to make sure we don’t forget any of the details of our agreement.

Since you are usually dealing with business people anyway, rest-assured that they are quite accustomed to signing agreements for every kind of business transaction. Many of them require their own clients to sign contracts, so they understand the necessity of it entirely.

Don’t forget to use this opportunity to “Upsell” your services as well. All the extras can be placed and should be placed into the final agreement. You can however, sign a seperate agreement for hosting.

Thanks again Stephan for the great info.
Brian

We don’t do outside work anymore – just too busy on killersites.com.

Stefan