At a time when it seems like every business and just about every person has a website, it is not surprising that there is a seemingly endless list of individuals and companies in the business of designing websites. For someone without a lot of expertise, hiring a web developer can be a great way to get an attractive and functional site up and running. Before hiring anyone, however, there are a few important things to consider.
Web Development Agreements
Although most, if not all web development companies will automatically draw up a contract for a prospective project, many individuals who do web work on their own will not. Either way, agreeing to pay someone to create a website is a contract. As such, it is a really good idea to put the terms of the agreement in writing. That way, there is a much smaller chance of disagreement (over price, content, deadline) down the road.
Generally, a web development agreement should contain several key features. This includes a payment deal, the specifications of the site, and when the project will be completed. For clients, however, there are a number of other issues worth considering.
Licenses
One of the biggest things a client will want to ensure is that his web developer has the right to use all of the content that will be going into the site. This refers text and images as well as software and technological components. The last thing a client wants is to discover after his site is completed (any paid for) is that parts of it are infringing on copyrights owned by or the intellectual property rights of others.
When a web developer will be using as part of a site material that he does not own, he must obtain permission, or a license, from the owner. Even if the material has been used by either the developer or the client in the past, permission must still be obtained. Keep in mind also that, in the case of copyrights, ownership may vary by country. Because the internet is global, it is essential to pay special attention.
Because licenses usually cost money, a client should negotiate with the developer how the licenses are to be obtained and who is going to pay them. In some cases, a developer will charge above the price of the actual license to cover the time and expense required to obtain it. Regardless of how the issue of licenses is to be handled, the details should be put in writing and included in the web development agreement.
Warranties, Corrections, and Support
Another essential component to the web development agreement is how the website will work and be handled at the completion of the project. Generally, the developer will make a warranty, or promise, that the website will work. This means that the text and images will display correctly and that any software components will function properly.
What the client needs to negotiate, however, is the extent of this promise. Often, a web developer's warranty will include any corrections (errors in content or technical glitches) for a specified period of time. This warranty may or may not also include routine updates of data on the site itself. The time period of the warranty, as well as what is covered, should be detailed in the agreement.
Beyond the actual warranty, a web development agreement may also include specifications for updates of information and technological upgrades. This may be negotiated in terms of a length of time (all updates for a year) or specific content (textual updates but not design changes). Additionally, a client and developer may negotiate a price or rate for future work on the site.
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