Free Web Design Agreement Template for Freelancers
A Web Design Agreement is the standard contract between a web designer/developer and client. Key clauses cover ownership of the final site, third-party plugin licensing, ongoing maintenance, and what happens if the client doesn't pay. This version is tailored for freelancers — covering the specific clauses and considerations that matter most in the industry.
Web Design Agreement — Template Preview
For FreelancersWeb Design Agreement
For use in Freelancers
1. Services
[DEVELOPER] will design and build a website for [CLIENT] in the freelancers industry. The scope includes [NUMBER] page templates, [features], and basic responsive design for desktop, tablet and mobile.
2. Timeline & Milestones
Milestone 1: Discovery & wireframes — [WEEKS] weeks. Milestone 2: Visual design — [WEEKS] weeks. Milestone 3: Development & content integration — [WEEKS] weeks. Milestone 4: QA & launch — [WEEKS] weeks.
3. Revisions
Fees include two (2) rounds of revisions per milestone. Additional revisions and out-of-scope work are billed at $[HOURLY]/hr.
4. Fees & Payment
Total: $[AMOUNT]. 50% deposit due upon signing; 25% at design approval; 25% at launch. Past-due amounts pause work and accrue interest at 1.5%/month.
5. Hosting & Domain
Client is responsible for hosting and domain purchase and ongoing fees. Developer can recommend providers but does not control or guarantee third-party services.
6. Ownership
Upon full payment, Client owns all custom code, design files, and content rights for the final site. Third-party plugins, themes and libraries remain governed by their original licenses.
7. Post-Launch Support
Developer provides 30 days of bug fix support after launch at no charge. Ongoing maintenance and content updates require a separate retainer or are billed hourly.
Industry-specific considerations for freelancers
Beyond the standard web design agreement clauses, here are the specific items freelancers typically need to address before signing:
- 1099 classification (vs W-2 employee)
- Late payment fees (1.5%/mo standard)
- Kill fee on cancellation
- IP transfer on final payment only
Typical pricing in freelancers
Hourly $50–$200 or project flat fee.
How to use this template — 3 steps
Customize
Use our eSign tool to drop in your real names, dates, scope and fees. The template handles the legal scaffolding; you fill in the specifics for your freelancers engagement.
Add signature fields
Drag-drop signature, date, initials, and text fields onto the document. Assign each field to the correct signer (yourself, the client, or both).
Send for signature
Enter the other party's name and email, hit Send. They receive a signing link via email — no account required. You get notified the second they sign.
Customization tips before you send
- • Replace every [BRACKETED] placeholder with real values — names, dates, dollar amounts, percentages.
- • Set the governing law to your state — usually where you live or do business.
- • Confirm the project-based term length matches your project.
- • If this is a high-stakes contract (over ~$50K, or anything involving significant ongoing liability), have a licensed attorney in your state spend 30 minutes on a review.
FAQ — Web Design Agreement for Freelancers
Do freelancers really need a Web Design Agreement?+
Yes — and especially in freelancers, where client relationships are the core asset. A signed web design agreement protects both sides if something goes wrong — and most disputes can be solved by simply pointing at the signed contract.
What's different about a Web Design Agreement for freelancers?+
Compared to a generic web design agreement, the freelancers version typically adds clauses around: 1099 classification (vs W-2 employee); Late payment fees (1.5%/mo standard); Kill fee on cancellation.
Is this Web Design Agreement legally binding once signed?+
Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws, an electronic signature is just as legally binding as a wet-ink signature for almost all commercial contracts. Our eSign tool produces a SHA-256 audit trail proving who signed, when, and from where — so the contract is defensible in court.
Can I edit this template?+
Yes — and you should. The template covers the typical scope, but every freelancers engagement has unique details (rates, scope, deadlines). Use our eSign tool to drop in your actual project details before sending the contract for signature.
How do I sign this online?+
Click "Edit & sign online — free" below. Our eSign tool opens with a blank document; upload your customized contract PDF, drag-drop signature/date fields, and email it to the other party. They sign from any device — no account needed for signers.
Other contracts freelancers commonly need
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Open the Web Design Agreement in our free eSign tool, customize it for your freelancers engagement, and send it for signature in under 2 minutes.
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