Start with ownership
The contract should make clear who owns the finished website, domain, design files, code where relevant, analytics, hosting and third-party accounts. Your business should know what it can take with it if the supplier relationship ends.
Define revision rounds precisely
Ask what counts as one revision round, how feedback should be submitted and what happens when additional changes are requested. Kydos publishes one revision round for Starter and two for Professional.
Clarify content responsibility
Website projects often stall because both sides assume the other is supplying the copy, images or legal text. The contract should state what the client provides and what the agency creates.
Check payment milestones
| Contract area | What to clarify |
|---|---|
| Deposit | When does work formally start? |
| Milestones | What triggers each payment? |
| Final balance | Is it due before launch or handover? |
| Late feedback | Can delays change the timeline or fee? |
| Extra scope | How are change requests quoted? |
Review hosting and maintenance terms
Check whether hosting is compulsory, whether the site can be moved, what maintenance is included and whether security/plugin updates are your responsibility after launch.
Look for a clear termination and handover process
The contract should explain what happens if either party ends the project early, what work is handed over, what fees remain payable and how account access is transferred.
Do not sign until exclusions are visible
A good contract should make the boundaries as clear as the deliverables. Ask for anything vague to be clarified before paying a deposit.
Put Kydos on your shortlist
Kydos publishes revision allowances and package scope so buyers can compare the commercial terms before agreeing a custom website quote.
See Kydos Web Design ScopeFrequently asked questions
Who should own the website after it is built?
The agreement should state ownership clearly. Your business should understand its rights to the website, domain, accounts and assets.
How many revisions does Kydos include?
Kydos Starter includes one revision round and Professional includes two.
Should a web design contract include hosting?
It should at least state whether hosting is included, optional or your responsibility.
What happens if I add pages during the build?
Additional scope should be treated as a change request with a clear cost and timeline impact.
Should I sign before seeing a full scope?
You should have a clear written scope, commercial terms and responsibilities before committing.
Why does contract detail matter for SEO?
If URLs, content or migration responsibilities are unclear, a redesign can create avoidable search problems.