[mathias]

Been having trouble writing up a contract for web dev. When done, it'll be a template I can customize to any client, large or small, with quick minor edits.

I realized in the middle of the process I didn't know how I should even conduct a web dev project, step by step. So here's my protocol, 16 steps. Please lemme know what you think, or if I'm just way off base:


1. Once 'Web Designer' (hereinafter referred to as “Designer”) is initially contacted by the Client in need of Website services, a free consultation at the Client’s convenience, is arranged, set to take place, via telephone or in-person. During the consultation, Designer will collect enough information, from the Client, so as to be able to determine what services are needed.

2. No more than 7 business days after the consultation, Designer will submit a formal Website Agreement Contract via email, containing a total dollar figure for the required Website services.

3. Once the Client has had proper time to review the Website Agreement Contract, Client will then print it out, sign it and send it to Designer, along with the specified deposit fee.

4. Once the Website Agreement Contract, signed by the Client, as well as the deposit fee, are received, Designer will then sign the Website Agreement Contract. Designer then makes a copy, keeps the original, and sends the copy to the Client, which is now signed by both Designer and Client.

5. Designer commences work on the prototype.

6. Once the prototyping process is halfway complete, Designer invoices client for the first milestone fee.

7. Designer completes the prototype and presents it to the Client via email.

8. Client has the opportunity to approve the prototype at this time, or negotiate with Designer, if revisions and/or changes are necessary, and then approve the prototype.

9. Once the final prototype is approved, Designer invoices client for the second milestone fee.

10. Designer commences work on a fully functional Website, reasonably conforming to the final approved prototype.

11. Once construction of the actual Website is halfway complete, Designer invoices client for the third milestone fee.

12. Designer completes the Website and then thoroughly tests it, verifying that all aspects function as intended and are standard compliant.

13. Designer presents the Website to the Client via a link in email, allowing the Client full access to the completed Website, hosted on Designer’s web domain, on a secure web server.

14. Client has the opportunity to approve the Website at this time, or negotiate with Designer, if revisions and/or changes are necessary, and then approve the Website.

15. Once the final Website is approved, Designer invoices client for the final milestone fee.

16. Designer transfers the final Website to the Client’s web server, which is now ready to be utilized.

-END-

[mathias]

Nobody likes my course of events, huh?

[Limbo]

Not bad.

I supply a briefing form before I meet for free consultation - that gives the client a chance to think about aims objectives costs and timescales etc - in turn that gives me something on paper that I can refer back to, to plan/lessen scope creep.

Contracts and Quotes are usually kept seaprate - Quote, Agree quote, Contract, deposit, begin work....

Nothing in there about retreiving and proofing client copy

I think you have too many financial milestones - I'd agree a deposit up-front (30% works for me) and then the rest of the fee on delivery. Unless this is for a giant site that will take months to create?

[mathias]

Thanks.

So you do a quote first, how much do you itemize it?

When you say 'Agree quote', is that the quote you submitted that the client agrees to, but is changed, to match their requests?

Your clients pay you a deposit before you start, is that the 30% one?

What do you do if the client adds content midway through the project? Since the contract states the amount the client will pay, do you have to redo the contract now?