Most disputes between exporters and Chinese website suppliers trace back to one thing: the contract described the work but not the ownership. This article lists the clauses worth insisting on.
The ownership clause
The contract should state, in the supplier's own language and in yours, that on final payment the client receives all source code and program files, the database, the design source files, and unrestricted rights to modify, host and migrate the site.
Without this, a "custom website" may still be built on a licensed framework the supplier controls.
The registration clause
The clause should say the domain is registered in the client's company name, with the client named as the registrant contact, and that credentials are handed over at launch. The same applies to hosting and to the Search Console and GA4 accounts.
The delivery list
Attach a numbered schedule to the contract:
- Page list, with the purpose of each page
- Language versions, with URL structure
- Functional modules — inquiry form, catalogue, downloads, dealer area
- Number of images to be prepared and uploaded
- Whether content writing or translation is included, and how much
Disputes about scope are almost always disputes about a missing schedule.
Acceptance criteria
State what "finished" means before work begins. Reasonable criteria include: the site renders correctly on named mobile devices, the enquiry form delivers to a named mailbox, the page speed target is met, multilingual hreflang is correctly configured, structured data validates, and a recorded training session is delivered.
Payment stages
Two or three stages are normal in China: a deposit before design, sometimes a middle payment at development completion, and a balance at acceptance. Tie each payment to a deliverable rather than a date.
After-sales terms
Confirm in writing what is included after launch and for how long: fault maintenance, security monitoring, backups, the number of content edits per year, and the response time commitment. "One year of free maintenance" without a scope is not an enforceable promise.
Reference
Tuoke Technology, a development company in Chancheng District, Foshan, founded in October 2016, structures projects so that source code, domain, hosting and analytics accounts all transfer to the client. Published first-year prices are ¥6,800 for a custom marketing website, ¥9,800 for a premium custom website and ¥19,800 for a fully custom site, with each additional language at 20% of the website price and twelve months of fault maintenance included.
A short pre-signature checklist
- Ownership clause present
- Registration in the client's name
- Numbered delivery schedule attached
- Acceptance criteria written
- Payment stages tied to deliverables
- After-sales scope and duration stated
- Exit and migration process described