Website Subscription Agreement
⚠️ This is a starter template, not legal advice. Have a real attorney in your jurisdiction review and sign off before using it with paying clients. State laws on consumer contracts, auto-renewal, and dispute resolution vary widely.
Use
- Replace every
[BRACKETED]field with your details. - Customize the scope per tier (Starter / Growth / Pro).
- Send via a tool like PandaDoc, DocuSign, HelloSign, or Stripe Atlas Documents for legally binding e-signature.
- Keep the version number at the top updated when you change anything.
WEBSITE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
Version 1.0 · Effective [DATE]
This Website Subscription Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of [EFFECTIVE DATE] ("Effective Date") by and between:
[YOUR LEGAL BUSINESS NAME], a [STATE] [LLC / sole proprietorship / corporation], with its principal place of business at [YOUR ADDRESS] ("Provider", "we", "us"); and
[CLIENT BUSINESS NAME], with its principal place of business at [CLIENT ADDRESS] ("Client", "you").
Each a "Party" and collectively the "Parties."
1. Services
1.1 Subscription Plan
Client subscribes to the [Starter / Growth / Pro] plan as described in Schedule A. Provider will design, build, host, and maintain a website for Client (the "Site") in accordance with the selected plan.
1.2 Scope of Work
Scope is limited to the deliverables expressly listed in Schedule A. Anything outside that scope (e.g., custom feature development, e-commerce systems, third-party integrations, brand-new design directions) requires a separate written quote and Client approval before work begins.
1.3 Editing Hours
Client may request reasonable edits within the included monthly hours specified in Schedule A. Edits exceeding the included hours are billable at $[125]/hour in 30-minute increments, with prior written approval.
1.4 Turnaround
Provider will acknowledge edit requests within one (1) business day and, where reasonable, complete them within two (2) business days. Larger requests will be quoted in writing before commencement.
2. Fees and Payment
2.1 Monthly Fee
Client shall pay $[PRICE] USD per month for the selected plan, beginning on the Effective Date and recurring on the same calendar day of each subsequent month.
2.2 Payment Method
Payment is by credit card or ACH via Provider's payment processor (currently Stripe). Client authorizes Provider to charge the card or account on file each month.
2.3 Failed Payments
If a payment fails, Provider will notify Client and retry within five (5) business days. If payment is not received within fifteen (15) days of the original due date, Provider may suspend the Site without further notice. Suspension does not relieve Client of accrued fees.
2.4 Price Changes
Provider may adjust the monthly fee with at least sixty (60) days' written notice. Client may cancel without penalty before the new price takes effect.
2.5 No Setup Fee
There is no separate setup or onboarding fee. The first monthly payment is due on the Effective Date and grants Client access to all included Services from day one.
3. Term and Termination
3.1 Term
This Agreement begins on the Effective Date and continues on a month-to-month basis until terminated by either Party.
3.2 Termination by Client
Client may terminate at any time by giving Provider thirty (30) days' written notice (email is sufficient). Client remains responsible for fees accrued during the notice period.
3.3 Termination by Provider
Provider may terminate (a) for non-payment per Section 2.3, (b) for material breach by Client not cured within thirty (30) days of written notice, or (c) at Provider's discretion with sixty (60) days' written notice.
3.4 Effect of Termination
Upon termination:
- Provider will deliver to Client a static export of the live Site (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, copy) within fourteen (14) days of the effective termination date.
- Client retains full ownership of: (i) all Client Content, (ii) the Client domain, (iii) the static export referenced above.
- Provider retains the underlying codebase, design system, and any tooling not specific to Client.
- Hosting, monitoring, and maintenance services cease on the termination date.
3.5 No Hostage Clause
Provider will not refuse to release the static export, transfer the domain, or hand off custodian access to Client's content for any reason, including disputed fees, except where required by court order.
4. Intellectual Property
4.1 Client Content
"Client Content" means all logos, images, video, copy, menus, branding, and other materials Client provides to Provider. Client retains all rights, title, and interest in Client Content. Client grants Provider a non-exclusive license to use, modify, host, and display Client Content solely for the purpose of providing the Services.
4.2 Provider IP
"Provider IP" means the underlying codebase, components, design systems, deployment infrastructure, internal tooling, and any reusable assets developed by Provider. Provider retains all rights to Provider IP.
4.3 The Site
The visual design, copy specific to Client's business, and the static export delivered upon termination are licensed to Client perpetually for Client's own use. Client may not resell or sublicense the underlying Provider IP.
4.4 Third-Party Materials
Where the Site uses stock photography, fonts, or third-party assets, Provider warrants those assets are properly licensed for the agreed use. If Client requests assets requiring additional licensing fees, those fees are Client's responsibility.
4.5 Portfolio Use
Provider may display screenshots and a public link to the live Site in Provider's portfolio, marketing materials, and case studies. Client may opt out at any time by written notice.
5. Client Responsibilities
Client agrees to:
- Provide accurate, current information about the business (hours, address, phone, menu, services).
- Respond to Provider requests for content, approvals, or feedback within a reasonable time (target: three (3) business days).
- Hold and maintain the domain registration in Client's own account (Provider can assist or pass through registration costs).
- Not request or upload illegal, defamatory, infringing, or fraudulent content.
- Pay fees on time per Section 2.
6. Hosting and Performance
6.1 Uptime
Provider targets 99.9% monthly uptime, measured by Provider's monitoring tools, excluding scheduled maintenance and force majeure.
6.2 Service Credits
If monthly uptime falls below 99.0% (excluding excluded events), Client may request a service credit equal to 10% of that month's fee, applied to the next invoice. This is Client's sole remedy for downtime.
6.3 Backups
Provider performs daily backups of the Site and retains backups for at least thirty (30) days.
6.4 Security
Provider applies industry-standard security practices (HTTPS, dependency patching, hardened hosting). Provider is not liable for third-party platform breaches outside Provider's control.
7. Warranties and Disclaimers
7.1 Mutual
Each Party warrants it has the authority to enter this Agreement.
7.2 Provider
Provider warrants it will perform Services with reasonable skill and care consistent with industry standards for similar work.
7.3 Disclaimers
Except as expressly stated, the Services are provided "as is." Provider does not warrant any specific business outcome, including search rankings, traffic levels, lead volume, or revenue.
8. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law:
- Neither Party will be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.
- Provider's total aggregate liability under this Agreement shall not exceed the total fees paid by Client to Provider in the three (3) months immediately preceding the claim.
9. Confidentiality
Each Party may receive confidential information from the other (e.g., business plans, customer lists, financials). Each Party will use the other's confidential information only to perform its obligations under this Agreement and will protect it with reasonable care for two (2) years following termination.
10. Indemnification
Client will indemnify and hold Provider harmless from any third-party claim arising from Client Content or Client's use of the Site in violation of this Agreement. Provider will indemnify Client from any third-party IP claim arising from Provider IP, except where the claim arises from Client's modifications or third-party assets supplied by Client.
11. General
11.1 Governing Law
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [YOUR STATE], without regard to conflict-of-laws rules.
11.2 Disputes
Parties will first attempt to resolve any dispute through good-faith negotiation. Unresolved disputes will be submitted to binding arbitration in [YOUR COUNTY], [YOUR STATE] under the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Each Party bears its own costs.
11.3 Force Majeure
Neither Party is liable for delays or failures caused by events beyond reasonable control (natural disaster, war, internet/utility outage, government action, pandemic).
11.4 Independent Contractors
The Parties are independent contractors. Nothing in this Agreement creates a partnership, employment, or agency relationship.
11.5 Assignment
Neither Party may assign this Agreement without the other's written consent, except in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of substantially all assets.
11.6 Entire Agreement
This Agreement (including Schedule A) constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties on this subject, superseding all prior discussions. Modifications must be in writing and signed by both Parties.
11.7 Severability
If any provision is held unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect.
11.8 Notices
Notices must be in writing and sent to the email addresses below, or to such other address as a Party may designate.
Signatures
Provider: [YOUR LEGAL BUSINESS NAME] By: ___________________________ Name: [YOUR NAME] Title: [YOUR TITLE] Email: [YOUR EMAIL] Date: ___________
Client: [CLIENT BUSINESS NAME] By: ___________________________ Name: [CLIENT NAME] Title: [CLIENT TITLE] Email: [CLIENT EMAIL] Date: ___________
Schedule A — Selected Plan
Plan: ☐ Starter ($97/mo) ☐ Growth ($197/mo) ☐ Pro ($397/mo)
Monthly fee: $______
Included this plan: [Paste the bullet list from your pricing page for the selected tier]
Initial scope (one-time, included in first month):
- Custom design across [N] pages
- Migration / launch on Client's domain
- Initial content load (Client to provide)
- Up to [N] rounds of revision before launch
Add-ons agreed today (if any):
- ☐ Domain registration ($12/year passed through)
- ☐ Custom email setup ($_/mo passed through)
- ☐ Other: ____________________
Out of scope (would require separate quote):
- E-commerce / payment processing beyond simple Stripe link
- Booking/reservation systems beyond simple form
- Custom application logic beyond standard marketing site
- Migration of large existing content database (>50 pages)