Website development contract & general terms and conditions for web designers

When I recently spoke to a long-standing client about his web design projects, we both had to smile: 25 years ago, when I founded my first gaming website with JustGamers, web design still consisted of static HTML pages and flashing GIFs. From game tests on simple websites to modern, complex web applications – I have experienced the entire development of the web first-hand. Today, web designers are developing complex digital ecosystems and the legal challenges have grown accordingly.

The most common pitfalls in web design contracts

An example from my law firm illustrates the problem particularly well: a web designer had used a “watertight” contract from the Internet. When the client suddenly demanded a complete redesign after completion of the website because he “no longer liked” the design, there were no clear regulations on acceptance and change requests. What began as a small project developed into a costly legal dispute.

The acceptance trap

After almost 20 years of legal advice in the digital sector and 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, I know that acceptance is the most critical moment in a web design project. Here are my most important recommendations:

– Defines clear acceptance criteria
– Defines a structured acceptance process
– Schedules test phases
– Regulates the handling of defects and rectifications

Responsive design and browser compatibility

As someone who has built a gaming website from scratch myself, I know that the technical specifications are crucial. Today, it is no longer enough for a website to “work” – it has to be displayed optimally on all devices and in all common browsers.

Important contractual provisions in this regard:
– Concrete definition of supported devices and browsers
– Clear definition of screen resolutions
– Agreement on performance standards
– Provisions on future browser compatibility

Legal protection for hosting and maintenance

The hosting trap

A common scenario from my practice: The web designer hosts his clients’ websites “on the side”. If technical problems then occur or the server fails, the question of liability arises. My recommendations:

– Separates web design and hosting contracts
– Defines clear service level agreements (SLAs)
– Regulates backup and data protection
– Defines response times in the event of malfunctions

Maintenance and updates

As the former operator of a gaming website, I know how important regular updates are. The contract should regulate:
– Scope of maintenance services
– Update cycles for CMS and plugins
– Security regulations
– Cost transparency for unscheduled updates

Special legal features of content management systems

Open source vs. proprietary systems

The choice of CMS has far-reaching legal implications:
– Licensing aspects of open source systems
– Regulations on custom developments
– Agreements on further development
– Documentation obligations

Training and instruction

An often overlooked aspect:
– Scope of the training services
– Documentation obligations
– Support agreements
– Regulations for user administration

Practical tips for web designers

After two decades of legal advice and my own experience as a website operator, here are my most important tips:

1. clearly define project phases
– Concept and design
– Development and programming
– Testing and quality assurance
– Launch and aftercare

2. establish change management
– structured change request processes
– clear price regulations for changes
– documentation of change requests
– consider time effects

3. legal protection of content
– regulations for content procurement
– responsibilities for texts and images
– data protection aspects
– SEO agreements

Conclusion

As a lawyer who has himself gone the way from simple webmaster to entrepreneur, I can only emphasize this: A well thought-out website development contract is not bureaucracy, but the basis for successful projects. It gives both sides the security to concentrate on the essentials: the development of great websites.

Do you need help drafting your web design contracts? As a lawyer with my own experience in the digital industry, I not only understand the legal side, but also your practical challenges. Let’s work together to develop contract structures that suit your projects and provide you with legal protection.

Author: Marian Härtel

Marian Härtel ist Rechtsanwalt und Fachanwalt für IT-Recht mit einer über 25-jährigen Erfahrung als Unternehmer und Berater in den Bereichen Games, E-Sport, Blockchain, SaaS und Künstliche Intelligenz. Seine Beratungsschwerpunkte umfassen neben dem IT-Recht insbesondere das Urheberrecht, Medienrecht sowie Wettbewerbsrecht. Er betreut schwerpunktmäßig Start-ups, Agenturen und Influencer, die er in strategischen Fragen, komplexen Vertragsangelegenheiten sowie bei Investitionsprojekten begleitet. Dabei zeichnet sich seine Beratung durch einen interdisziplinären Ansatz aus, der juristische Expertise und langjährige unternehmerische Erfahrung miteinander verbindet. Ziel seiner Tätigkeit ist stets, Mandanten praxisorientierte Lösungen anzubieten und rechtlich fundierte Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung innovativer Geschäftsmodelle zu gewährleisten.