Clinch
Clinch · Web agencies

Web agency contracts that get sites launched and invoices paid

Small web agencies lose margin in the same places on every project: content that arrives two months late, a launch that waits on the client's sign-off, a subcontractor who needs paying before the client pays you, and "quick fixes" after launch that were never in the budget.

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The contract and payment problems you actually run into

01

Waiting for client content

The site is ready except for the copy and photos the client promised. A client-materials clause sets dates for content, and a pause clause lets you invoice the milestone anyway.

02

Launch without sign-off

Define acceptance: a review window, a list of fixes against the agreed design, then launch and the final invoice.

03

Free support after launch

Bug fixes for a short period are fair; new features, plugin updates and hosting problems are a maintenance retainer.

04

Subcontractors and cash flow

You pay freelancers weekly while clients pay on milestones. Front-load the deposit, invoice milestones promptly and put matching terms in your subcontractor agreements.

How it works with Clinch

  1. 1

    Describe the job in a sentence or two: the AI drafts the contract from a template made for your trade.

  2. 2

    Send one link: your client reads and signs on their phone in about 30 seconds, no account needed.

  3. 3

    Collect the deposit at signature, then invoice the balance from the same place.

Contract templates to start from

Web Design Contract TemplateA contract for freelance web designers covering wireframes, visual design, revisions, and handoff of final files.Web Development Contract TemplateA contract for freelance developers building websites or web apps — scope, milestones, source code ownership, and post-launch support.Website Maintenance Agreement TemplateA monthly website maintenance contract covering updates, backups, security monitoring, support hours, response times, and hosting.Subcontractor Agreement TemplateAn agreement for agencies and freelancers who subcontract work: white-label delivery, non-solicitation of the end client, and pay-when-paid terms.SEO Services Agreement TemplateAn SEO contract covering audits, on-page and content work, reporting, website access, and no guarantee of rankings or traffic.

Clauses worth adding

Client materials clauseA client materials clause: the client guarantees it has the rights to the logos, photos and copy it gives you, and covers you if it doesn't.Acceptance clauseAn acceptance clause with a review period and deemed acceptance, so a project can't stay 'almost done' forever.Milestone payment clauseA milestone payment schedule clause: deposit, payments tied to deliverables, and when each is due. For larger freelance projects.Maintenance and support clauseA maintenance and support clause: what ongoing support covers after launch, how many hours, and what's billed on top.Subcontracting clauseA subcontracting clause: when a freelancer can use subcontractors, confidentiality flow-down, and who stays responsible.Project pause (on hold) clauseA project pause clause: what happens when the client puts the project on hold, including billing, rescheduling and a restart fee.

Free tools

Project cost estimatorPhases and hours in, a priced quote with buffer and deposit out.SOW generatorA statement of work with deliverables, timeline, and payment in minutes.Proposal generatorTurn scope, timeline and price into a proposal the client can say yes to.Client offboardingA clean end-of-project handoff email and checklist.

Comparing tools?

Clinch vs PandaDoc for freelancersClinch vs Proposify for freelancersClinch vs Better Proposals for freelancers

Questions

How should a web agency structure payments?

Deposit at signing (30–50%), a milestone at design approval and the balance at launch or acceptance — whichever comes first — with a maintenance retainer after launch.

Who owns the website code and design?

Usually the client, once paid in full, except for your reusable frameworks, themes and third-party plugins, which are licensed.

Send your next contract in minutes

Start from the template for your trade, edit anything, and get paid the moment it's signed.

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Other trades

PhotographersWedding plannersDesignersDevelopersCopywritersVideographersConsultantsCoachesArchitectsTranslatorsSocial media managersDJsEvent plannersFitness trainersInterior designersMarketersIllustratorsWedding photographersTutors

General information, not legal advice. For high-stakes deals, have a lawyer review your contract.

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