Website Development Policy

Website Development Payment, Delivery & Maintenance Policy

This Website Development Payment, Delivery & Maintenance Policy (“Policy”) forms an integral part of the Service Agreement entered into between [Service Provider / Agency Name] (“Service Provider”) and the Client. By engaging the Service Provider, the Client agrees to be bound by the terms set forth below.

1. Payment Terms – Client-Managed Domain & Hosting

1.1. Payment Structure

Where the domain name and hosting infrastructure are procured and managed by the Client, the Client agrees to the following payment structure:

Eighty percent (80%) of the total project value shall be paid in advance prior to commencement of any development work.
The remaining twenty percent (20%) shall be paid in full prior to the website being deployed or made live.

1.2. Deployment Condition

The Service Provider shall not be obligated to deliver, migrate, or deploy the website on the Client’s server until full payment has been received.

2. Payment Terms – Service Provider–Managed Domain & Hosting

2.1. Live Deployment & Payment Timeline

Where the domain and hosting are provided and managed by the Service Provider:

The Service Provider may make the website live upon completion of development.
Any outstanding payment must be cleared within three (3) calendar days from the date the website is made live.

2.2. Non-Payment Clause

In the event of non-payment beyond the stipulated three (3) day period, the Service Provider reserves the right to temporarily suspend or take the website offline without prior notice, until all outstanding dues are settled.

3. Post-Launch Support & Minor Modifications

3.1. Support Period

Upon successful launch of the website:

The Service Provider shall provide up to fifteen (15) days of post-launch support, limited strictly to minor content-related changes.
Minor changes include text updates, image replacements, and basic content corrections.

3.2. Out-of-Scope Changes

Any request involving structural, design, layout, functionality, or feature changes shall be considered out of scope and shall be chargeable separately.

4. Website Maintenance

(Applicable When Hosting Is with Service Provider)

4.1. Included Maintenance

Clients whose hosting services are managed by the Service Provider shall receive one (1) year of basic website maintenance, which includes:

Server uptime monitoring
Technical issue resolution related to the delivered website

4.2. Third-Party Modifications

Any modifications performed by the Client or third parties that alter the website’s layout, structure, or functionality shall:

Be deemed outside the Service Provider’s responsibility.
Grant the Service Provider the right to restore the website to the last officially delivered version, if such changes cause instability, errors, or design issues.

5. Website Backup & Access Handover

5.1. Final Delivery

Upon final delivery of the website:

The Service Provider shall provide a complete backup of the website files and database.
Administrative access credentials (including CMS/WordPress access, where applicable) shall be shared with the Client to ensure a smooth handover.

5.2. Client Responsibility

The Client acknowledges receipt of access and assumes responsibility for all actions performed thereafter.

6. Policy Objective

6.1. Purpose of This Policy

This Policy is established to:

Prevent delays in payment upon completion of development work.
Ensure clarity regarding ownership, access, and responsibilities.
Protect the interests of both the Client and the Service Provider.

7. Alternative Payment Structure – 50% Advance

7.1. Agreed Advance Structure

In cases where a fifty percent (50%) advance payment structure is mutually agreed upon:

Fifty percent (50%) of the project value shall be paid prior to commencement of work.
The remaining fifty percent (50%) must be paid before the website is made live, irrespective of hosting arrangements.

7.2. Activation Condition

The Service Provider shall not deploy or activate the website until full payment has been received.

8. Acceptance

By approving the proposal, making any payment, or authorizing the commencement of work, the Client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to this Policy in its entirety.