Master Services Agreement for Web Developers: What to Include (Customizable Template)

Introduction

A clear Master Services Agreement (MSA) is vital for Web Developers working on multi-phase projects. It helps you ensure that approval processes are smooth and handoffs don’t get messy. With a well-structured MSA, you can protect your work and manage client expectations. Customize your Master Services Agreement now.

Legal Terms: What Matters Most for Web Developers

IP Ownership

• Ownership on Payment: Retain ownership of your work until you receive full payment. This prevents clients from using your work without compensation.
• AI Usage Restrictions: Clearly state that clients cannot feed your work into AI models. This protects your original creations from being altered or repurposed in ways you may not agree with.
• Attribution Rights: Define when and how you want to be credited for your work. Consider including portfolio rights, allowing you to showcase your work without needing explicit permission after a project ends.

Revision Limits

• Set Clear Limits: Specify the number of revisions included in the agreement to avoid endless changes. For example, 2 or 3 rounds of revisions can work well.
• Acceptance Criteria: Define what constitutes project acceptance. This helps ensure that both parties agree on when the project is considered complete.
• Payment Milestones: Include a simple schedule for when payments are due, tied to project milestones. This adds clarity and ensures you are paid on time.

Scope Creep and Change Orders

• Triggers for Change Orders: Identify situations that may require changes to the project scope. Have clear processes in place for how to handle these changes.
• Pricing Guidance: Provide rates for additional work and how it will affect the project timeline. This sets expectations and helps you manage client requests.

Other Helpful Clauses for Web Developers

• Limitation of Liability: Limit your liability in case of disputes, protecting yourself from unforeseen issues that may arise.
• Confidentiality: Include clauses that protect sensitive information shared during the project. This helps build trust with your clients.

How Counsel Club Helps

Counsel Club re-imagines legal for startups, freelancers, and creative entrepreneurs. Our platform allows you to search for lawyer-drafted forms for startups, freelancers, content creators, and other creative entrepreneurs. Our platform guides you through modifications, both to the contract and the scope of work. Counsel Club has the most sophisticated drafting tool on the market, and it was designed and developed by lawyers. If you want more help, reach out to a Counsel Club lawyer through our Concierge program. Our legal agent, Amicus, was trained on proprietary legal data to be your best legal assistant. Finally, legal for today, that is fast, protective, and cost effective.

Questions to Ask Amicus

• What rights do I have over my work if a client doesn’t pay on time?
• How can I effectively manage revisions without losing time or money?
• What can I do if a project scope changes halfway through?

Closing CTA

Ready to create your Master Services Agreement and pair it with Statements of Work? It’s simple! Customize your Master Services Agreement now.