5 Legal Details Traditional Industries Must Know Before Working with a Web Design Company

Foreword: Why should traditional industries pay more attention to legal details when working with web design companies?

In the conception of traditional industry operators, they tend to regard "theWebsiteThe "design and procurement" of a corporate website is viewed as a simple design procurement or outsourcing project, but the hidden legal details and protection of rights and interests are overlooked. As a matter of fact, behind an enterprise's official website is not only aesthetic design and layout presentation, but also covers layers of legal structures such as intellectual property rights, account ownership, original file delivery, host control, and so on, which, if not clarified beforehand, will seriously affect the enterprise's operation and accumulation of business opportunities in the future.

in particularTraditional industries are undergoing digital transformationAs most business owners focus on production, research and development, and sales processes, they are relatively unfamiliar with digital project cooperation such as website design. At the beginning of signing a contract, many business owners are only concerned about the completion date of the website and the amount of money quoted, but ignore the "ownership of the assets of the website", "the owner of the rights of the corporate website", "whether or not the original files are delivered", which are really important to the future development of the enterprise. When the enterprise wants to change the cooperation partner, carry out theSEO OptimizationIn addition, when the marketing funnel is connected, or even when the website is expanded or maintained, it is suddenly realized that one does not even have the most basic backend login privileges and original files, and is subjected to the design company in every way, and the website becomes "other people's assets" that cannot be used freely, which affects the user experience of the enterprise.

Many cases show that many design companies will regard the original file as "own commercial secrets", refused to deliver the source code or design files, and even set up the site in their own internal host, account privileges completely locked, when the enterprise wants to terminate cooperation or change service providers, only to be forced to pay high fees for termination of the contract, data release fees. This not only causes cost loss, but also may lead to total destruction of website data, zero traffic, and disappearance of business opportunities.

Therefore.Before cooperating with web design companies, traditional industries should be aware of the legal risks.Before signing a contract, be sure to confirm all rights, deliverables, and intellectual property rights. Before signing a contract, it is important to confirm the ownership of all rights, the content of delivery, the ownership of intellectual property rights, and even include in the contract the terms of the license for subsequent use, the delivery of the source code, the account holder, etc. This is not only to protect the company's own assets, but also to ensure that the future of the company will be protected. This not only protects the company's own assets, but also ensures the future of the company.Digital LayoutSolid foundation for developing new customers with B2B.

If you want to know more about how to integrate enterprise website with business opportunities and B2B potential customer list development, please refer to [Extended Reading].Customer List Collection｜B2B Prospective Customer SolutionsThe most important thing you can do is to make your website a truly effective business tool rather than a hidden source of intangible risk.

Notes for signing web design contract to protect the rights and interests of cooperation

In the process of cooperation with the web design company, the contract is the umbrella of the enterprise's own rights and interests. Especially in the process of digital transformation of traditional industries, often lack of website-related laws, processes and risks of correct knowledge, and ignore the details of the contract, resulting in subsequent delivery, use or expansion stage of the rights and interests of disputes.
comprehensiveA web design collaboration contract ensures that both parties have a clear understanding of the customization needs of the website.In addition to the basic scope of cooperation between the two parties, it is important to clearly define the delivery items, the ownership of intellectual property rights, the payment terms, the rewriting mechanism, as well as the acceptance criteria that cannot be ignored, which are the key to avoiding subsequent disputes.

In the following four sections, we will give you a step-by-step guide to the key points that you should not miss before signing a contract with a web design company:

What clauses must be included in a web design contract to be reasonable?

Many traditional industries are undergoingCorporate website setupWhen the customary "the other side to provide quotations + simple contract" form of cooperation, but in fact such a contract usually can not protect the legal rights of enterprises. Properly speaking, the web design contract should contain at least the following elements:

Terms & Conditions	Important Notes
Definition of project scope	Includes page count, features, RWD responsive design, etc. clearly stated.
Deliverables	Includes design files, source files, account passwords, and other asset delivery specifications.
Intellectual Property Rights	Design drawings and source code belong to the Principal or Designer.
Payment Terms	Specific details such as installment ratio, payment nodes, final payment delivery, etc.
Rewriting and Communication Mechanism	Limitations on the number of times, scope of correction, and time limitations.
Acceptance and Closing	Delivery standard, process, and confirmation method

Through these regulations, it is possible to prevent the cognitive gap between the two parties during the cooperation process and potential disputes in the future.

How to confirm the delivery of the original documents and the right to use them at the signing stage

The issue of delivery of original documents has been a problem in recent years.Web Design Collaboration Disputes Are Hardest HitMany design companies are used to treating the original files as their own assets for their own benefit. Many design companies are used to treating the original files as their own assets based on their own interests, and delivering only the finished website, but not the PSD, AI design files or HTML, CSS source code, which makes the enterprise to be restricted in the future when maintaining, expanding, or replacing the cooperative vendors.

This should be clearly stated in the contract:

1. Original file delivery time point(Delivery upon acceptance or completion of payment)
2. Delivery format(design files, source codes, account passwords, etc.)
3. Future Scope of Authorization(Whether it can be freely modified and transferred to other manufacturers for maintenance)

These provisions are the only way to ensure that the business has full control of the website.

Exclusion of ambiguous terms: Web design scope and perception of effectiveness

In the contract, if only "completion of the establishment of corporate website", "production ofImage WebsiteVague terms such as "delivery scope" can easily cause misunderstanding between the two parties, resulting in endless rewriting and delayed acceptance. Therefore, it is recommended:

• Specify the number of pages to be delivered, the scope of functionality (e.g., forms, back-office administration, SEO structure)
• Specify whether the site contains RWD (mobile version), multilingualism, or special interactive effects.
• Exclude commercial results such as traffic, rankings and performance as delivery criteria

These clear terms make the basis of cooperation between the two sides clear and minimize the occurrence of disputes.

Proposed design of payment instalments and milestones in the contract

Poorly designed payment terms can easily lead to delayed or even broken web projects. It is recommended that payment installments be tied to milestones, for example:

• Signature Payment 30% → Start the design operation
• Visual Confirmation 30% → Finalize the main layout
• Acceptance of delivery 40% → Delivering raw files to the website online

This model protects the interests of enterprises and urges design companies to fulfill the project nodes to avoid poor or delayed delivery of the finished products. If not specified in advance, the enterprise is likely to encounter the designer's inertia or passive delivery after the payment is completed.

Intellectual Property Issues: Website Graphic Design and Code Attribution

In the process of cooperation between enterprises and web design companies, "intellectual property rights" is usually a key issue that is easily ignored by both parties, but is most likely to cause legal disputes, especially when it comes to customized design. For traditional industries, the official website of a company is not only a façade, but may also involve a large number of design results, program development, and content production, and the rights behind these contents are related to the autonomy of all future website upgrades, changes, and transfers. Therefore, determining the attribution of intellectual property rights is the same as whether the enterprise can fully own the website as an asset.

Many business owners, due to insufficient knowledge of the relevant laws, mistakenly believe that after spending money to commission the production of all the information belongs to them as a matter of course, in fact, if the contract does not specify that the copyright property rights of these outputs are likely to remain vested in the original design company, and even lead to subsequent modification, transfer rights are limited, seriously affecting the long-term operation of the enterprise official website.

How to attribute the intellectual property rights of the results of the design of the official website of the enterprise?

According to the current Copyright Act of Taiwan, if there is no special agreement in advance, the contents of design results, source code, and drawings, etc., will be subject to the following conditionsIn principle, the copyright belongs to the creator (design company).This means that you do not own the intellectual property rights to the website even if you have paid to have it completed. That is, even if you pay to have your website completed, you do not own the design and original files without specifically stating the ownership of the intellectual property rights in the contract.

Therefore, the correct approach should be stated in the contract: "The copyright of the website design, source code, program development and other related copyrights delivered by this project will be vested in the commissioning party (the enterprise) after the completion of the delivery by the design company." This will ensure that the enterprise has the right to use, modify, transfer and expand the website.

Whether the web page design and program source code belong to the enterprise side

In practical cases, many design companies will deliver the finished website, but deliberately do not deliver the original files (e.g. AI, PSD, HTML, CSS), or the contract stipulates that the source code is the design company's asset, and the enterprise only has the "right to use". This will lead to the subsequent enterprises want to change the content, looking for other vendors to maintain, need to re-pay fees or face the cost of reproduction.

Enterprises shouldThe contract stage explicitly states: "All rights to the design drawings, original program files, website accounts, database, etc., will be fully vested in the Client upon settlement of the case for the protection of the Client's needs." The contract is a good example of this.

In this way, not only can we avoid being kidnapped in the future, we can also protect the flexibility of future website upgrades and ensure that the official website is always a real digital asset of the enterprise.

Can advertising and design drawings be used twice? Be clear about the law

In the process of building a corporate website, many companies will use the schematics and advertising materials provided by the design company. However, if they do not obtain a full authorization beforehand or do not include the scope of use in the contract in black and white, the company will use the materials for other purposes in the future.Marketing UsesThe use of the software, even across multiple platforms, makes it easy to fall foul of the law or to claim damages.

Correct practice:

• If the material is originally created by the design company, you should confirm that you have obtained it.Full license or transfer of property rightsThe
• If you use third-party materials, you should check whether they areCommercially Available License Scope(e.g. shutterstock purchase license or public license library).

These details are not only a matter of legal risk, but also affect the proper use of a company's brand in the future.

How to define the right of use of trademarks and logos with designers

If a website project also includes a trademark or logo design, the ownership and use of the design result must be emphasized in the contract, otherwise it will also fall into the dispute of intellectual property rights. For example, some design companies may not have delivered the original files and have not transferred the intellectual property rights, but still have the right to use the logo in other places in the future, and even the legal space for resale and secondary sales in the future.

Enterprises should set this out in their contracts:The trademark and logo design results are the property of the commissioner, and the design company may not resell, publicize, or reuse them in other clients' cases.

In this way, we can ensure that the visual image of the brand is in our own hands.

Original File Delivery and Account Privileges, the Key Points Businesses Shouldn't Ignore

For traditional industries, the end result of website delivery is often not just "the finished product is good enough to look at", but the underlyingDigital AssetsWhether or not it belongs to the enterprise itself. After cooperating with a web design company, many enterprises realize that the original website files, program code and even account privileges have never been delivered to the enterprise, resulting in the subsequent website maintenance, optimization and data mutation are completely subject to the original factory and design company, and in serious cases, they cannot even back up or mutate any data on their own, which in turn puts the enterprise in a high degree of risk for its digital assets.

In fact.The official website of a company is by its very nature an important asset of the company.The B2B marketing strategy is based on the idea that the website is not just a showcase. If the enterprise can not obtain the original file, website rights, can not really control their own online channels, which will become a great obstacle to the B2B development of new customers, accumulation of potential lists and even the subsequent marketing layout. Below is a comprehensive review of the key delivery points that must be mastered in the following 4 aspects.

What is included in the delivery of the original web design file

Many traditional industries often mistakenly think that "delivery is complete after the website is online" when signing a website cooperation contract. In reality, the delivery items that should be obtained should include the following, which is in line with the standard of complete delivery of digital assets:

Project	Examples of obtainable content
Website design source file	AI / PSD / XD design visualizations
Program source code	HTML / CSS / JS / PHP / MySQL and other program files and databases
Original Image File	Multiple versions of original, cropped, and compressed images for future marketing applications.
Document Information	Functional description, backend operation manual, site structure diagram, etc.
Authorization and Account Information	Domain, host, third-party serial (GA, GTM, SMTP, etc.) account passwords

These items should be specified in the contract before cooperation and delivered to the enterprise at the time of acceptance and closure to avoid subsequent disputes or information security loopholes.

Hosting and Domain Authority: Ensuring Enterprise Control of Website Operations

Another common problem with website delivery is that the host and domain name management privileges do not belong to the enterprise itself, but are held by the design company or a third party, and the enterprise only has the right to use them. Although this does not seem to have a significant impact on business operations at the initial stage, the lack of privileges will become an absolute obstacle when changing vendors, upgrading maintenance and expanding systems in the future.

Correct concept:

1. Host accounts must be held directly by the organization or escrowed at a trusted vendor.The design company shall not be the sole agent of the design company.
2. Domain name must be registered in the name of the enterprise or clearly state that the enterprise is the ultimate owner.To avoid being asked to pay extra fees for renewal or being artificially blocked by the design company.
3. DNS authority is in the hands of the enterprise or can be changed at any time.This will ensure operational flexibility.

Management backend and third-party tool accounts should be owned by the enterprise.

Website operation is not only about visual design and content creation, but also includes a large number of tools related to marketing, data analysis, and operational optimization. If these accounts are not clearly attributed to the enterprise itself, it will lead to the inability to operate or migrate the platform properly in the future. Common third-party accounts include:

• Google Analytics (GA4)
• Google Tag Manager (GTM)
• Meta Pixel (FB Pixel)
• SMTP server
• Forms tools (e.g. Google Forms, Typeform, etc.)

These accounts should be applied for by the enterprise Email before the cooperation, or the design company will assist in the application and then belong to the management of the enterprise, to avoid data disputes or information security concerns caused by unclear ownership.

Common Pitfalls: Undelivered Source Code, Enterprise Subsequent Kidnapping

If you do not confirm the delivery of source code at the beginning of a contract or partnership, you are likely to fall into one of two traps:

1. The site is structurally closed and can only be operated by the original design company.
   As a result, subsequent maintenance and revision can only rely on the original manufacturer, and the cost is difficult to negotiate, and any modification is subject to the willingness and quotation of the other party.
2. No ability to manage content, SEO or marketing collateral on your own.
   The lack of code privileges prevents enterprises from upgrading or importing new features, and even basic GA tracking cannot be set up, which affects the effectiveness of digital marketing in the long run.

The right thing to do:
We will deliver the program source code and related account information as specified in the contract, and we will check and confirm the program source code and related account information at the time of acceptance and delivery to ensure that the design of the website meets the customer's requirements.

Collaboration Process and Timeline: How to Write a Contract to Avoid Delivery Delays

One of the most common problems encountered by enterprises in cooperation with web design companies is that "the schedule is seriously behind". The main reason behind this is not necessarily a deliberate delay in the design company, but the two sides did not prior to the process, acceptance criteria, delivery deadlines, etc. explicit culture in the contract, resulting in the process of cooperation can not be based on accountability or urge, but also the lack of corresponding supporting mechanisms to protect their own rights and interests.
In particularLack of digital project management experience in traditional industriesThis will easily lead to a vicious cycle of passive waiting or frequent revisions leading to constant delays in the timetable.
Therefore, reasonable planning of the cooperation process and timetable, as well as setting out the delivery standards and responsibilities of both parties at each stage in the contract, are the basic principles to ensure that the website project is progressing step by step and in a steady manner.

Web Design SOP Collaboration Process Proposal

Professional web design companies usually have a complete process for designing a website to ensure that every stage of the process meets the client's needs.SOP Cooperation ProcessIn addition, the enterprise should take the initiative to recognize and incorporate the contract as the basis for cooperation. The general standard process is as follows:

Stage	Job Description	Deliverables
Demand Interviews	Confirmation of website objectives, number of pages, functionality, style, and references.	Provide confirmation of requirements and quotation
Contract Signing	Definition of the scope of cooperation, rights and obligations, delivery standards, and timeframes	Formal Contract Signing
Visual Design Proposal	Web page layout design, visual presentation	First Edition or First Page Sketch
Amendments and Confirmations	Adjustment of details, visual finalization	Full website visual design
program construction	Programming, RWD, SEO structure, third-party linking, etc.	Full Site Beta
Testing and Acceptance	Functionality testing, form testing, SEO checking	Acceptance checklist, online confirmation
Delivery of closure	Delivery of original files, account permissions, and manuals	Confirmation of all files and permissions belonging to the company and closure of the case.

Through the above process, both parties can effectively control the progress and minimize the subsequent disputes.

What should be the time schedule and liability for delayed compensation?

Apart from specifying the timeframe for each stage of the contract, the contract should also specify the "liability for delayed delivery" to protect the interests of both parties. A reasonable approach is as follows:

1. Clearly defined time points for each party's responsibilities
   If the enterprise provides materials, confirms the draft, the reply time should not exceed a certain number of working days, otherwise the schedule will be postponed. The design company is also required to complete the specified workload within each stage.
2. Delayed Claims
   If it is not due to the enterprise side, the design company should be responsible for breach of contract after the contract time, common practices such as daily deduction of the proportion of the final payment, late delivery of late compensation, etc., as the performance of both parties as a driving force.

Example Clause:
"If the Designer fails to deliver within the agreed time limit and fails to improve after written reminders, the Principal shall have the right to deduct the final payment of 5% as liquidated damages".

What is a fair and reasonable number of final drafts and rewrites?

The number of revisions is one of the common sources of disputes in web design cooperation. If it is not agreed in advance, it is easy to generate endless revision requests and unreasonable cost expansion. It is recommended to stipulate the following in the contract:

• Visual Design Phase: Provide no more than 2 free revisions
• Adjustment after program setup: Bug fixes only, no new requirements
• Number or range of exceedances: Charge according to the number of hours or quotation.

This will effectively curb unreasonable requests and protect the quality and efficiency of the contract between the two parties.

Acceptance Criteria and Specific Definitions of Deliverables

Web site acceptance should be based on specific criteria, not on subjective determinations by both parties. It is recommended that the following elements be included in the contract to ensure compliance with customer needs:

• Website functions (form, e-commerce, back office, RWD, etc.) are working properly.
• SEO basic structure (Title, Meta, GA, GSC, etc.) setup completed
• No major bugs or visual errors, form and link tests are normal.
• Standards-compliant page view speed and security testing
• Full delivery of original files and account permissions

Acceptance completion should provideWritten Acceptance ReportOr both parties to confirm Email, as a basis for payment and case closure, to avoid subsequent disputes.

Perception of Effectiveness and Legal Boundaries: Website Traffic is Not the Responsibility of the Design Company

When many traditional industries build their official websites, they have wrong expectations about the effectiveness of the website delivery, thinking that as long as they have found a professional web design company, there will be traffic, inquiries and even transactions after the website is completed. But in factWebsite construction is the first step of digital transformation, not a guarantee of sales effectiveness.The design company is responsible for the visualization, architecture, functionality and delivery of the website. The design company is responsible for the visualization, architecture, functionality and delivery of the website, not the subsequent SEO ranking or revenue performance.

Therefore, it is important to clearly define the legal boundaries between deliverables and actual results at the contract stage to avoid any perception gap or even disputes after the cooperation. The following is a four-pronged approach to help companies clarify their concepts:

Distinguishing Web Design Deliverables from SEO Effectiveness

Website delivery standards should focus on the three core elements of "normal functioning of the website itself, correct structure, and compliance with SEO standards", rather than directly guaranteeing traffic or conversion results. Business owners need to understand: after the completion of the website, the real impact of the effectiveness of the factors include:

• Continuous SEO Optimization
• Marketing Campaign Import Traffic
• Accumulation of brand trust and in-depth content management
• Industry Competitiveness, Difficulty of Keywords

The design company can only help with basic SEO settings, such as Title, Meta, structure marking, GA tracking, etc., but cannot guarantee natural traffic or Google rankings. If there is a need for results, you should purchase SEO optimization services or marketing solutions separately.

Revenue and list are not the responsibility of the design company.

Many enterprises mistakenly think that after building a website, it can automatically bring customers, lists and orders. However, the website is only a part of the enterprise's digital marketing, without the introduction of advertising, content marketing, SEO, EDM and other strategies, the website is just like an underexposed display, even the most perfect design will not be able to create their own revenue.

Therefore, it should be stated in the contract: "This cooperation is only for the construction and delivery of the website, and does not include any responsibility for marketing and promotion, traffic channeling, and revenue results."

If there is a need for a list, the company should look for other appropriate marketing tools or services, such as [ ].Client List Collection Solutions】()This type of system that helps companies to effectively develop their B2B lists is the key to truly transforming the effectiveness of your website.

Common Misconceptions in Traditional Industries: Websites are not the same as marketing solutions

Many media companies hold on to the old belief that once the website is completed, customers will "come to them". However, the digital marketing environment is different nowadays. With fierce competition and saturated market information, it is impractical to rely solely on the website to wait for customers passively. The correct perception should be:

• Website is the infrastructureIt's not the marketing strategy itself.
• Traffic needs to be operatedThe company relies on SEO, advertisements, or content.
• Inquiry list to be imported into the funnel design(e.g. forms, e-newsletters, etc.)
• Trust and professional endorsement are needed to close a dealIt's not just about the aesthetics of the site.

Therefore, it is recommended to plan a digital marketing strategy after the establishment of the website if the enterprise aims at marketing.

How to self-measure your website's success through data

The effectiveness of your website should be based on data rather than subjective feelings. Businesses can use the following tools for self-examination:

• Google Analytics (GA4): Analyze visitor source, behavior, conversion, etc.
• Search Console (GSC): Observe keyword exposure, clicks, and ranking trends.
• Hot zone analysis tools (Hotjar, etc.) can help web designers better understand user behavior.: Observe user behavior and operating habits
• CRM or form list tracking: View List Volume and Conversion Rates

By using these indicators, companies can monitor the health and marketing effectiveness of their websites and avoid unnecessary misunderstandings or unreasonable expectations of the design company.

Analysis of common legal disputes, to give the traditional industry a borrowing mirror

Many traditional industries are unfamiliar with the legal concepts or lack of knowledge about the rights and obligations related to web design when they build their official websites, resulting in numerous subsequent cooperation disputes. Most of these problems do not arise from the technical level, but rather from legal disputes caused by unclear contractual content, unclear delivery of rights, or a lack of awareness of the responsibilities of both parties.

This chapter analyzes the common legal issues in the cooperation between enterprises and web design companies through several real cases, so that you can understand which mistakes are easy to step on the mine, and how to avoid repeating the same mistakes in advance through correct contractual planning to ensure that the enterprise official website becomes a real controllable business asset rather than an invisible risk.

Web Design Delivery Disputes: Original Files, Accounts, Licenses

The most common disputes arise from the problem of non-delivery of original files and accounts or incomplete authorization. For example, a real estate enterprise A spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to establish the official website of the enterprise, and after the case was closed, it was found that the design company did not deliver any original files such as AI, PSD, HTML, etc., and the website host and backstage accounts were not provided, which resulted in the enterprise being unable to change and maintain, and even unable to take over the backup of the data, and all the operations were tied up by the design company.

What's more, the design company will be set up on its own host, account privileges are limited to internal use, when the enterprise proposed to terminate the cooperation, the other side of the high data release fee, and even refused to deliver. Enterprises are caught in a dilemma, can only be forced to renew the contract.

Such issues should be addressed by specifying the content, duration and rights of delivery in the contract, and strictly checking the delivery list at the acceptance stage to avoid future problems.

Uncertainty of Rights Leads to Website Unmaintainability

Company B, a traditional manufacturing company, cooperated with a design company to build an official website in 2020, and the contract only hastily recorded "completion of the corporate website" without any source code, artwork, or account attribution. Later, due to business expansion, Company B wanted to introduce CRM, ERP and other systems, but found that the website program privileges did not belong to them and they could not change the data structure, so they were forced to rebuild the new website, wasting the original investment costs.

This case reminds organizations that ownership of all digital assets should be defined at the contractual stage, otherwise the operational layout and flexibility for expansion will be seriously affected.

No risk of contractually induced additional mark-ups or secondary purchases

An enterprise C was introduced by an acquaintance and cooperated with the web design orally without signing the contract formally, only confirming the general content by Line or Email. The design company continued to use "this function is not included", "this page is not the scope of the original quotation" as the reason for additional costs, the final actual expenditure far exceeded the budget, and even did not provide a formal invoice or delivery list.

This kind of situation is not uncommon. Enterprises are reminded that even if they work with an acquaintance, they should formally sign a contract with detailed terms and conditions to protect the rights and interests of both parties.

How to deal with the loss of website due to the closure of a design company

The design company entrusted by an enterprise D closed down due to poor operation. The website was set up in the internal host of the other party, and the account information was not returned to the enterprise, and the website disappeared instantly without any backup or takeover basis. The enterprise had to outsource the reconstruction of the website, which was time-consuming and costly, and the business was also significantly affected.

This case is again emphasized:

• Domain and host account must be managed under the name of the enterprise.
• All files should be fully backed up and archived at the delivery stage.
• Choose a reputable hosting service provider to avoid single-point risk.

Web site is like a company's asset, and it is the basic risk control for the company to have the authority and backup of data.

How to Choose a Trustworthy Web Design Company to Work With

In the website construction market, web design companies vary, some companies are professional, experienced, and understand the needs of the B2B industry, while some companies offer low prices, but the quality is worrying, there is no guarantee of after-sales service, and even hidden traps of attribution. For traditional industries, choosing a professional and reliable web design company is not only about the effectiveness of the website, but also affects the success of the enterprise's subsequent branding, B2B development of new customers and other digital transformation strategy.

The following four aspects provide practical advice to help enterprises screen suitable partners to avoid stepping on mines and wasting time and budget in the future.

What indicators should you look for when choosing a web design company

To determine whether a web design company is professional or not, the following objective aspects should be examined:

1. Years of Establishment and Stability of Operations
   Long-term operators have more stable protection against the risk of closure or temporary closure.
2. Experience with B2B industry websites
   Design firms that specialize in B2B markets understand that the real purpose of a corporate website is "business opportunity development", not just visual design.
3. Case Studies and Client List
   It's better to look at past work and clients to see if they fit the industry's needs and desires than to rely on marketing rhetoric alone.
4. Transparency and completeness of the service process
   Only those who have a standardized cooperation process (interview→planning→design→delivery) with open quotations and transparent terms of rights are worth cooperating with.

Compare multiple quotes to see the hidden cost traps.

Many quotes from design firms seem reasonable, but they are often followed by additional costs due to "items not included" or "out of scope". Enterprises should examine the reasonableness of the quotation from the following points:

• Whether to list the detailed page number, function, and maintenance period
• Whether it includes original file delivery, account limit delivery
• Whether tax is included or not, and whether there is any extra cost description (e.g. rewriting, adding pages)
• Whether the scope of exclusion of SEO, marketing, etc. is clearly stated to avoid any misunderstanding.
• Comparison of multiple quotes will give a better indication of the reasonableness and integrity of the quotes.

Experience with B2B industry websites that affects the quality of the work

If the traditional industries are aimed atDeveloping B2B customers, increasing inquiries and brand image.If you choose a web design company with practical experience in B2B, you can be sure that the cooperation process will result in an effective business-oriented website rather than just focusing on aesthetics.

Design firms with B2B experience usually know how to navigate:

• SEO Keyword Structure
• Marketing Funnel Layout
• Form and inquiry oriented design
• Business data collection system integration (CRM, etc.)

This type of planning actually enhances the website's ability to generate potential listings for your business.

Robustness of follow-up maintenance and expansion services

Website construction is not a one-time cooperation, the subsequent maintenance, expansion, SEO optimization needs, often related to the future effectiveness of enterprises. Choosing a design company that can provide long-term support is a better guarantee. Indicators to consider include:

• Have a full technical team rather than outsourcing individuals
• Whether to provide services such as website maintenance, information security upgrades, function expansion, etc.
• Whether it can provide SEO consulting and digital marketing advice to help the website effectively realize its value in the long run.

Only by choosing a professional and reliable partner can a company be truly confident in entrusting the operation of its website.

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the legal opinion on the attribution of the original web design files?

According to Taiwan's current copyright law, if not expressly stated in the contract, the intellectual property rights of the original files produced by the web design (e.g., AI, PSD, HTML, etc.) belongs in principle to the creator, i.e., the design company. If a company wishes to obtain full ownership, it should specify the delivery and transfer of rights terms in the contract to avoid subsequent property disputes.

Q2. What should I do if the design company does not deliver the source code?

If the delivery of source code is specified in the contract but not fulfilled, the design company can be held responsible according to the contract; if the contract is not specified, it is recommended to negotiate with the other party to sign a supplementary agreement, or appoint a lawyer to intervene and coordinate. It is better to plan in advance than to try to remedy the situation afterwards.

Q3. Does the web design include the after-sales service of the website?

Most web design contracts are limited to the delivery of the installation only, and do not include subsequent maintenance or functionality expansion. If there is a need for long-term maintenance, you should check whether the design company will provide the relevant services and determine the service period, content scope and cost model.

Q4. How can I protect my rights if I cooperate without signing a contract?

If you cooperate directly without signing a contract, there will be no legal protection for the subsequent rights, delivery contents and payment disputes. It is recommended that a formal contract be signed immediately to clarify the responsibilities of both parties and avoid disputes arising from verbal agreements.

Q5. What can I do if my intellectual property rights are not clearly discussed?

If you find out that the rights have not been vested in the enterprise after delivery, you should negotiate with the design company to sign a transfer or license agreement as soon as possible. If this is refused and is detrimental to the company's interests, legal action can be taken, but the relative costs will be much higher than if the agreement had been made beforehand.

Q6. What are the risks of having domains and hosts that are not under the name of the organization?

If the domain and host are not owned by the enterprise, it is easy to be restricted by the original manufacturer or the escrow agent for future transfer or change, and may even be hijacked for continuous fee or shut down the website, resulting in business interruption. It is recommended for enterprises to purchase their own hosts or registered domains to have absolute control so that they can flexibly customize and maintain their websites in the future.

Q7. How can I keep my data when my web design company closes down?

If the design company closes down and the account information and original files are not in the company's possession, the website will not be able to be backed up or relocated, which could easily lead to operational downtime. You should contractually deliver the project and back up all assets beforehand to prevent such risks.

Q8. How can I be held responsible if the web design is not as expected?

Website results (e.g. traffic, lists) are mostly affected by subsequent marketing and SEO operations, which are beyond the scope of the design company's delivery. If there is a need for performance guarantee, you should purchase a digital marketing program beforehand and specify the performance indicators in the contract to avoid misunderstanding.

Q9. How can I protect myself if the Co-Designer fails to deliver on schedule?

Contracts should specify delivery schedules and default clauses, so that payment can be withheld or claimed in the event of delays. Good planning in advance and strict management during the process are essential to prevent delays in delivery.

Q10. What are the copyrights of the materials, pictures and videos on the website?

Enterprises should check whether the materials (pictures, videos, music) used have been legally authorized or provided by the design company and specify the scope of use to avoid future risks of violation of law or infringement of copyrights, in order to enhance the user experience. The attribution of rights should be stated in the contract.

Contact JiHuiHome: Legal Cooperation, More Protection for Corporate Websites

Before cooperating with a web design company, the traditional industry must pay attention to not only the finished website, but also all the legal details and rights protection behind. Web site is a digital asset of the enterprise, if not properly planned, not only a waste of budget, and even affect the future development of business opportunities and brand trust, which will also have a negative impact on the user experience. We understand the common pain points of traditional industries in digital transformation. Whether it is the delivery of rights, intellectual property rights protection, or follow-up maintenance and expansion needs, we have a high professional standard to assist enterprises in proper planning, to ensure that each website becomes an asset that can bring business opportunities, rather than a burden with potential risks.

If you are looking for a professional partner who understands the legal details, is familiar with the B2B market, and understands the needs of traditional industries, please feel free to contact WiseGuy, and we will assist you to create a website that truly meets the operational goals of your business, with complete planning and clear standards of rights delivery.

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Company Name｜Wisdom House Ltd.
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Enterprise website construction, SEO optimization, marketing website planning, digital business opportunity growth consultant

Whether you're looking to create an effective new client developmentCorporate WebsiteIf you want to know how to integrate your website with digital marketing to enhance your B2B business opportunities, WiseGuy can provide tailor-made planning to make your website the best partner for business growth and enhance the rating of your design.