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Photo credit: danjaeger

A contract helps to eliminate, or at the very least, reduce the amount of misunderstandings. This is a protection for both yourself and your client and can make your life a whole lot easier later on.

It’s easy to find sample contracts online, so I’m going to focus this article on the reasons why you need contracts and what you should include in order to write effective contracts.

Why Do You Really Need a Contract?

That’s a good question.

Maybe you’re a freelancer. Maybe you’re a studio. Maybe you’re just helping out a friend or a relative. Do you really need to use a contract?

Web Design Contracts: Why Bother? (Digital Web Magazine)

Do You Need a Contract For Freelance Work? (FreelanceFolder.com)

Can I Skip Using a Freelance Design Contract With Friends or Family? (About.com)

Writing a Contract or… What Should be Included in a Design Contract?

Where do you start when writing a web design contract?

Fortunately, you don’t have to moonlight as a lawyer or speak legalese as a second language to write an effective design contract.

12 Points to Include in Your Design Contract (FreelanceSwitch)

What to Include in Your Design Contracts (theDesignCubicle.com)

Let’s Make a Deal – 15 Things You Need in a Web Contract (TheWojoGroup.com)

Writing a Web Design Contract (includes a sample design contract) (Reencoded.com)

Forming a Web Design Contract (StartupNation.com)

Writing a Great Web Design Contract (About.com)

Bulletproof Web Design Contracts (Sitepoint.com)

Sample Web Design Contracts

There are already several contract templates and ready-made forms on the internet that you can either use as is, or use as a starting point for writing your own contract.

Standard Form of Agreement for Design Services (AIGA)

DocStock.com

Zenful Creations Web Design Worksheets

In a Nutshell

Most every web design project should have a contract. Every time you begin a project, you’re putting yourself at risk if you don’t use a contract.

By including just a few standard sections and elements, much of the contract can be written without the need to pass a bar exam, and yet still protect you and your client.

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