Delays in Website Development are common.

But how can you make sure your web developer completes the project on time?

Legally speaking, that is.

The majority of businesses need to engage the services of a web developer at some point in time.

Such engagements can go horribly wrong, generally because of how everything is managed.

And, this is pretty common in the web development space.

Projects get delayed, not necessarily due to the developer's intentional fault.

But the reason doesn't really matter.

Because at some point, the project becomes frustrating, not just for the client, but also for the developer.

Surprisingly, many developers choose not to work with written contracts.

Because even verbal agreements or exchanges of messages are also enforceable.

But personally, I don't suggest it.

Because the change in project scope and confusion on deliverables can be high.

That's why you should get an Agreement with these 3 Points in mind:

(1) Milestones

Think of your project like a road trip.

You wouldn't cross the country in one go, right?

There should be stops along the way.

Similarly, you should divide the project into multiple milestones.

Don’t work on a single-off basis.

All too often, clients or developers jump into a complex, custom web development project with little to no planning.

The client always has a vague idea.

The developer says they can do it, and the work begins.

But there's always uncertainty here - because in major cases only 20% of the project is defined.

And the remaining 80% is in the gray area of uncertainty.

With this uncertainty, both parties could get in trouble, especially in a fixed-price project.

Client and Developer should make sure they are on the same page.

This discovery process will make it easier to divide the project into achievable milestones.

How you divide the project is up to you because you know the best.

But make sure there's at least a Sitemap that you can follow.

Map it out!

(2) Don't Spend All The Cash at Once

Dividing the project into milestones has two purposes:

(a) Periodic progress updates are given to the client, so they are in the loop.

(b) Payments are made in installments.

Very commonly, a large sum is released as an upfront payment without any substantial deliveries.

And when the developers get a large sum of cash, the quality and the overall progress could dip.

You don't have anything to negotiate with anymore.

So, you should keep a really tight leash, so to speak.

Again, be clear on deliverables and time frames.

If possible, leave a final progress payment for after the project is completed and delivered to you.

This is so that there is an obligation on them to deliver what they promised.

And you also get to test and give final approval to the work being done before making that final payment.

Gives them that little bit of incentive to do a good job.

And also to do it on time.

And only then make the final payment.

Make it 14 days after the delivery of all the work so that you get a chance to view it and iron out all the details.

(3) Completion Date

Developers often view agreed timeframes as flexible.

This is due to the reason that many times, deadlines are not predictable.

Surprisingly, clients are the ones who have to manage the development project many times.

This is not in all cases, but we are not speaking about such cases right now.

The problem here is that if things drag out, it will usually end up costing both sides more money, time, and frustration.

That's why you should make "time of the essence" in the contract.

This would make the delivery date as a final date for the delivery of the work and not a rough estimate.

That deadline would allow you to have recourse to terminate the contract and sue them for damages.

Remember, time is of the essence.

And wasted time means a loss of profits, monies under the contract, etc.

Even if you agree to extend the deadline, do not sign any release deed that could waive off their liability.

That's it!

If I were getting a website developed, these are the 3 ways I would make sure there's no delay.

But remember - most online templates don't cover such cases.

So make sure to get something custom in the end!

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