Web Design Contract Template India (2026): Clauses You Must Include

Web projects go wrong more than any other freelance engagement. Scope creep ("can you also add a blog?"), content delays, browser bugs, clients who refuse to sign off, launch delays caused by the client not providing content.

A tight web design contract prevents 90% of these. Here are the clauses every web design contract in India needs.

The non-negotiable web-specific clauses

In addition to the standard freelance contract clauses, web projects need these.

1. Exact scope of deliverables

List precisely:

• Number of unique page designs (home, about, services, blog, contact = 5 pages)
• Features included (contact form, blog CMS, newsletter integration, Google Analytics, basic SEO setup)
• What is explicitly NOT included (copywriting, photography, custom illustrations, logo design, hosting, domain, payment gateway setup beyond listed scope)
• Responsive breakpoints (mobile, tablet, desktop)
• Browser support target (Chrome/Firefox/Safari/Edge — current version and 2 versions back; NOT IE11)

2. Client responsibilities

Most delays are caused by clients not providing what they promised:

"Client shall provide all content (text, images, logos, brand assets), domain access, hosting credentials, and third-party service logins (analytics, payment gateway, email) within 7 days of project commencement. Delays in client-provided materials will extend delivery dates proportionately and may incur a delay fee of ₹X/week."

Specifically list what you need from them and by when.

3. Payment milestones (web-specific)

For web projects avoid 50/50. Instead:

• 30% on signing (deposit)
• 30% on approval of final designs
• 30% on staging launch / client review
• 10% on handover of files/credentials and launch

This gives you leverage at every stage and prevents the common problem where the client approves the design, you build it, and then they vanish before final payment.

4. Revisions and sign-off

• 2 rounds of revisions per design stage
• Additional revisions at ₹X/hour
• Client must provide feedback in writing (email or documented tool) within 5 working days
• No response within 10 days = deemed approval
• Once development begins, design changes count as new scope

The "deemed approval" clause is critical. It prevents clients ghosting for a month then coming back with 50 changes.

5. Browser & device support

State explicitly:

• Which browsers and versions you support
• Which devices (phone sizes, tablet, desktop)
• That you do not guarantee pixel-perfect rendering on 10-year-old browsers
• That third-party plugins (chat widgets, analytics, ads) may affect performance and are your client's responsibility

6. Domain, hosting, and third-party services

Clarify:

• Client is responsible for purchasing and renewing domain and hosting
• You will assist with DNS configuration for launch
• Third-party costs (hosting, domain, plugins, fonts, email services, SSL) are paid by client
• You will provide a recommended tech stack and setup guide; client maintains subscriptions

7. Post-launch period

Include a "free bug-fix window":

"For 14 days following launch, Contractor will correct any material defects in the delivered website at no charge. After 14 days, maintenance and changes are billed at the hourly rate of ₹X/hour or under a separate maintenance retainer."

8. Maintenance and retainer

Offer a monthly maintenance retainer (separate from the build):

• ₹X/month for security updates, plugin updates, backups, up to X hours of small changes
• Opt-in, not required

9. Intellectual property

Same as other contracts — IP transfers to the client on final payment. You retain portfolio rights.

Clarify:

• Whether you are assigning ownership of code and design
• Whether you retain rights to any reusable code libraries/frameworks you built (common for devs)
• Third-party assets (stock photos, fonts, plugins) retain their original licenses

10. Delays and cancellation

• If project is delayed by client for > 30 days, you may invoice for work completed and pause the project
• Client cancellation after development begins: kill fee of 50% of remaining project value
• Hosting/domain costs are non-refundable once purchased

11. Hosting/SLA disclaimer

• You make no warranty for 99.9% uptime — that is the responsibility of the hosting provider
• You are not liable for data loss from hosting failures, hacking, or third-party outages
• You recommend the client maintain independent backups

Free web design contract template

GFX Oficial's contract generator includes every clause above, pre-drafted for Indian law with GST, TDS, arbitration, and browser support language. It takes 5 minutes to fill out.

→ Generate a free web design contract PDF