Is there a warranty period for websites that you provide your clients?

If its not written in contract that you will fix issues after the site is complete, tested and signed off by the client, do you have to provide this warranty regardless and fix any issues that arise after the client has tested it, reviewed it and signed off on the website you built.

How long would this warranty period be. If issues occur 6 months to a year from the date of sign off, review and testing by the client, do you have to fix the issues even if it is a fault with the website you provide?

I mean, it is kind of unfair that 6 months of the website being online, a customer comes back to you and say, you have to fix this when the client has already reviewed it, tested it and signed off on it. Not only that, the website is not on your server but on their server.

Normally those points are covered while you sign NDA, I think six month is enough time and you're not responsible for any fix or you may charge for that or do free as obligation, that solely depends on you.

What is NDA. How about 4-5 months from sign off. Is that enough time. I would have thought 30 days would be more than enough for a non written good will waranty.

What is the usual?

NDA is a Non Disclosure Agreement. This is mainly used for Independent Contractors. I think he was referring to a web design contract, which is generally what should be created and signed prior to any work being done.

As for how long a warranty should be. Technically, you don't have to provide a warranty after they have fully approved the site. However, I wouldn't ever just cut off a customer after they've signed off for several reasons:

1) Word of mouth is the best form of advertising. You provide good support, then your name gets passed on. If it's something simple, then just take care of it (if it was your fault that there was a mistake).

2) There are companies that are in a hurry to get a site up, so they will test as much of the site as they consider necessary before giving approval, later to find there were a few mistakes. If the mistakes are on your part, I would correct it.

If the changes will take some time, then you could agree to fix the problems at a discounted rate... (again.. if it's a fault on your part, I'd take care of it).

I guess the bottom line is that if it was your fault, take care of it (more professional this way)...

If it's the customers fault, then let him know how much it will be... (possibly offer a discount).

Thanks for the reply,

The client keeps taking advantage of me. Has already threatened not to pay for any work if I did not add this and that to websites which was not part of the contract and fix problems 4 months pass its sign off. This is a very abusive client who is always twisting words saying, you promised this, you didn't understand what I meant now you have to fix it, etc. making me feel like I am the one making the mistakes when it is really him trying to get freebies.

So the client hasn't paid for anything as of yet?

If thats the case ... and no contract is been signed before and client is making mess ... than leave that client ...

The client signed a contract for the previous website and signed off on the project 4-5 months ago and he now tells me its a fault with the product. He sais, fix it or else he will not pay for this current project which he hasn't even paid for. Now he is telling me that theres a feature in there thats missing. I can't believe him! Its not in the contract or on any notes to add this and he wants it in which takes alot of time to add since the website is 95% complete already. It would have been easy if it was built with it from the beginning. He has threatened not to pay for anything and find someone else to do the project from the start and fix the old website if I do not do it?

What should I do?

In such case you should ask 50% amount for the current project to fix up earlier project, if he denies or you don't wish to do that, leave off the client and finish the current project and add in your portfolio and start looking for other buyers those looking for similar requirement.

Yeah but if you add it to your portfolio, doesn't the client have the rights to the design and the site since it was the clients idea and design, so that would mean you would not be able to show it to others or have it online?

Again, this is something that would have been discussed and written into a contract.

For future, have a good contract drawn up for clients. One thing I do is create all sites on one of my servers, and then as soon as payment is received will I transfer it over. Something else you may want to consider doing. Many designers will also ask for 50% up front....

You need to rethink how you handle clients so that you don't get taken advantage of...

Big lesson to be learnt here. Are there any pointers, advice and contract samples people can post up so that it can help other web designers, web developers, coders, programmers, etc. I just can't believe that people can take advantage of situations like this, specially when people have worked 2-3 months on clients projects and the client turn around and have someone else rebuild it or not pay you for anything or try and blackmail you into providing services that you do not have to do.

As for contracts, your best bet is to go to a lawyer to finalize one, but you can find some through google to take as a sample. A lot of contracts may vary depending on location and such, because laws are different in different locations (states).

Here are a few that you can glance through to get an idea of the various items listed in a contract:
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Link 4

Keep in mind, I listed these to help give you an idea of what a contract should contain. I'm not giving you any claims on how well they work and don't work, as I already have a contract that a lawyer helped me create.

As far as pointers and advice:
1) Have a client agree to a contract before doing work.
2) If the client is unknown to you, then insist on a non-refundable down payment... This way if they decide not to pay, you've already taken some money from them. If they decide to go with someone else after agreeing to the contract, then again, you've already received money from them. Of course the non-refundable part is ONLY if it's the clients fault that the site can't be completed. If it's your fault, then you may be obligated to pay that money back.
3) If the client is a friend or family, then it's up to you as to whether you take a down payment or not.
4) Purchase a domain for development purposes. Create all sites on your server. After payment is paid for in full, transfer the domain over. Of course, with this, you need to be careful because different servers may need certain items changed when transferring over (for instance DB name/login info). Other servers may use ASP instead of PHP....
5) Put a clause in the contract for how long of a warranty you want to give (if at all).

People will take advantage of whomever they can, whenever they can. Businesses are out to make money while saving it, so if they can con you into making changes for them at no cost, they will. Hence the reason most people try to charge 50% up front.... (Of course percentages may vary... I've seen some contracts where a designer will charge 25% up front, 25% more upon completion of stage 1 out of 3, 25% more upon completion of stage 2 out of 3, and the remaining 25% upon completion of the site). It depends on you how you want to charge.

Hope this helps.