Contract Basics for Web & WP Professionals
- 1. Contract Basics for Web & WP Professionals By Kristin Falkner kristin@kristinfalkner @KristinCodesWP www.kristinfalkner.com
- 2. Who am I? ｂ Web developer specializing in WordPress ｂ Started developing websites when I was a teenager ｂ Self-employed/freelance so I do all the things
- 3. 1. Should I Use a Contract? Spoiler Alert: Yes.
- 4. Why are contracts important? ｂSet clear expectations and boundaries ｂDefine specifics like deliverables, timeline and fees ｂCreate accountability between the parties ｂDefine what happens if things go wrong
- 7. Contract Myths ｂAn o鍖cial written contract is required to be enforceable ｂContracts need to be written in complex legal language ｂContracts will make your client nervous or make them not want to work with you. ｂContracts are best as a create-it-once-and-forget-it type of document.
- 9. PARTIES INVOLVED Who is the contract between? Make sure parties are authorized to enter into a contract. EFFECTIVE DATE When does the contract take e鍖ect? SCOPE OF WORK What are you doing? What are the deliverables? Be specific. Basic Contract Elements TIMELINE When are you doing it? PAYMENT What are you being paid & when?
- 11. REVISIONS & CHANGES Is there a limit? How are these handled? HOSTING & DOMAINS Are you providing hosting? Who is responsible for domain registration & renewals? SEO Define what you are or are not o鍖ering there. Web Contract Considerations CONTENT CREATION Who has the responsibility to provide the site content? CROSS BROWSER SUPPORT What exactly are you supporting? RESPONSIVENESS How is this handled in various situations? INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Who owns the work being done and when, if ever, does that change DESIGN ASSETS Photography, stock photography, logo and other branding
- 13. CONTENT ENTRY/ MIGRATION Who is handling this? THEME/PLUGIN LICENSING If the site requires the use of premium/ licensed themes and/or plugins, how is that handled? BACKUPS Who is responsible? WordPress Contract Considerations SUPPORT & UPDATES How is this handled? DISCLAIMER Not sole author of WordPress & plugin files. TRAINING What is being provided there?
- 15. COMMUNICATION Set expectations & boundaries CLIENT DELAYS If the client stalls in providing feedback or similar, what happens? LATE PAYMENTS Is there a late fee or other implications of untimely payments? Client Contract Considerations POINTS OF CONTACT Establish who youre communicating with / who the decision makers are CLIENT MISSTEPS If a client abuses a license or steals work from another party for the project without your knowledge
- 16. 8. When Things Go Wrong
- 17. ESCAPE CLAUSES What happens if either party wants out? Is there a kill fee? What happens to work completed? LITIGATION Venue, choice of law and jurisdiction over the parties LIABILITY LIMITATION Commonly limited to dollar amount of contract If Things Go Wrong
- 18. In Conclusion ｂNot comprehensive list of clauses (common misc. clauses not covered like confidentiality, relationship between the parties) ｂFigure out the contract clauses that work best for you ｂAllow your contract to grow with you & your needs ｂWorth having lawyer review contract terms for best assurance & protection
- 19. Any questions? You can find me at @KristinCodesWP & kristin@kristinfalkner.com Or in the WCKC Community Support Lounge 3pm hour Always use contracts