The essentials.
WHAT THE AGREEMENT SHOULD COVER
What is being built, specifically What is included and excluded The price and payment schedule The timescale What you must provide, and when Who owns what What happens after launch How changes are handled
WHY IN WRITING
Not distrust. Memory.
Months later, neither party remembers what was said.
THE EXCLUSIONS SECTION
The most valuable part.
Stating what is not included prevents most disputes.
WHAT TO LIST AS EXCLUDED
Content writing, if you are providing it Images, if you are providing them Ongoing maintenance Hosting and domain costs Changes after sign-off Training, unless included
THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Tied to deliverables, not dates.
A deposit, milestone payments, and a final balance on completion.
WHAT COUNTS AS COMPLETION
Define it. Ambiguity here causes the most disputes.
WHAT TO AVOID
Starting substantial work on a verbal agreement.
