Contracting for E-commerce Development Projects: Scope and Deliverables (Service Provider Guide)

Building online stores is deceptively complex. Even “simple” e-commerce projects can balloon when product data is messy, integrations don’t behave, or stakeholders change their minds about design, shipping rules, or promotions midstream. For web development agencies, the fastest path to overruns isn’t poor execution—it’s an unclear contract.

A well-structured ecommerce website development contract (or online store development agreement) does more than set a price and timeline. It clarifies what you’re building, how success is measured, what you’re not responsible for, and how changes are handled. Most importantly, it translates vague ideas like “a modern Shopify store” into objective, testable deliverables.

This guide focuses on scope and deliverables from the service provider perspective, with practical clause-level considerations you can adapt to your own ecommerce platform contract template—including scenarios specific to a Shopify developer contract.

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Why scope and deliverables matter more in e-commerce than most builds

E-commerce projects have more moving parts than typical marketing sites:

• Product data (variants, SKUs, bundles, subscriptions)
• Taxes and shipping (jurisdictions, rules, carriers)
• Payments (PSPs, fraud tools, 3DS, chargeback workflows)
• Integrations (ERP, CRM, fulfillment, email marketing, reviews, analytics)
• Compliance (privacy, accessibility, PCI considerations, consumer rights)
• Operational workflows (returns, cancellations, inventory sync)

Each area is a potential ambiguity. Your contract should make these pieces explicit—especially the boundaries of what’s included.

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Start with a clear scope statement (and define the platform)

Your scope section should answer three questions:

1. What platform/stack are you building on?
2. What is the business goal and what outcomes are you enabling?
3. What work is included vs excluded?

Example scope structure (high-level)

Include language that identifies:

• Platform (e.g., Shopify, Shopify Plus, WooCommerce, Magento/Adobe Commerce, custom headless)
• Theme approach (off-the-shelf theme customization vs custom theme vs headless frontend)
• Expected environments (staging, production)
• Project phases (discovery, design, build, QA, launch, post-launch support)

Agency tip: If your client hasn’t chosen a platform, treat platform selection as a paid discovery deliverable, not “free pre-sales consulting.”

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Define deliverables in a way that can be accepted (and billed)

A common contract failure: deliverables are described as activities (“build pages,” “configure Shopify”) instead of outputs (“deliver a configured Shopify store with X pages and Y functionality”).

Your deliverables should be:

• Concrete: You can point to it and say, “That’s done.”
• Testable: Acceptance criteria can confirm it works.
• Bounded: Limits are stated (number of templates, revision rounds, products migrated, etc.).

A deliverables checklist for e-commerce development

Below are categories you can adapt into an exhibit or statement of work (SOW) under your online store development agreement.

1) Discovery & requirements deliverables

If you sell discovery (recommended), define what the client receives:

• Requirements workshop(s) and notes
• Technical recommendations (platform apps, integrations approach)
• Information architecture / sitemap
• Functional specification (features, workflows, roles)
• Data migration plan (what data, from where, how mapped)
• Analytics and tracking plan (high-level)

Scope control: State that requirements are based on known information and may change if underlying systems or business rules change.

2) UX/UI design deliverables

For design-heavy projects, specify:

• Wireframes for defined templates (e.g., Home, Collection, PDP, Cart, Checkout approach, CMS page)
• High-fidelity designs (Figma/Adobe XD)
• Design system elements (typography, buttons, forms)
• Design revisions: limit rounds per template

Common pitfall: “Unlimited revisions until happy.” Replace with a clear number of rounds and define what counts as a revision vs new direction.

3) Theme or frontend development deliverables

Your ecommerce website development contract should detail:

• Theme build approach (custom theme, child theme, sections-based customization)
• Number and type of templates (Home, PLP, PDP, Cart, Search, Static pages, Blog, etc.)
• Responsive support (mobile/tablet/desktop breakpoints)
• Browser support policy (define target browsers/versions)

For a Shopify developer contract, clarify Shopify-specific limitations:

• Checkout customization constraints (varies by plan and Shopify’s capabilities)
• Use of Shopify apps vs custom development (and who pays for apps)
• Theme code ownership and licensing (see IP section below)

4) Core e-commerce configuration deliverables

Spell out what you will configure:

• Products, collections, navigation menus (and the quantity included)
• Product options/variants rules
• Discounts and promo types
• Shipping zones and rates (up to X zones/rules)
• Taxes configuration (note: you configure based on client input; you’re not giving tax advice)
• Payment gateway setup (client provides credentials; you assist with configuration)

Scope control: If the client’s shipping/tax logic is complex, define a cap and treat additional rules as change orders.

5) Integrations and third-party apps

Integrations are where projects expand. Treat them as their own deliverables with assumptions.

For each integration define:

• System name (Klaviyo, GA4, Meta, ERP, WMS, ShipStation, etc.)
• Method (native app, API, middleware like Zapier/Make)
• Data direction (push/pull)
• Data entities (customers, orders, inventory, products)
• Frequency (real-time vs scheduled)
• Responsibility (who installs/licenses app; who maintains it)

Important contract language: You don’t control third-party uptime, changes, or API deprecations. Include disclaimers and set expectations for troubleshooting.

6) Content and product data migration

Migration is frequently under-scoped. Be explicit:

• What data you will migrate (products, customers, orders, pages, blogs)
• From what source (CSV, old platform, PIM, database export)
• Who cleans the data (often the client)
• How many SKUs/products are included
• What is not included (custom scripts, rewriting content, SEO copywriting unless specified)

A strong ecommerce platform contract template includes a client obligation: provide complete, accurate data by a deadline.

7) SEO and performance deliverables (bounded)

Most clients expect “SEO-ready,” but that can mean many things. Define your included SEO scope:

• URL structure and redirects (up to X redirects)
• Metadata fields enabled + basic templates
• Sitemap and robots.txt configuration
• Structured data (if included, specify which types)
• Image optimization standards (format/compression guidance)

For performance:

• Baseline performance targets (optional) with tooling (Lighthouse/WebPageTest)
• What’s excluded (third-party scripts often dominate performance)

8) Testing, QA, and acceptance deliverables

Replace vague “QA” with a real acceptance framework:

• QA pass against a checklist (responsive, forms, checkout flow, account flow)
• Bug severity definitions (blocker/major/minor)
• UAT window and client responsibilities
• Fix cycles included (e.g., 2 rounds of bug fixes for issues in scope)

Acceptance criteria example (plain-English): A deliverable is accepted when it meets the written requirements in the SOW and passes the agreed QA checklist on the supported browsers/devices.

9) Launch and handover deliverables

Launch should be a defined deliverable, not an open-ended “go live when ready.”

Include:

• Pre-launch checklist (DNS, SSL, payment in live mode, shipping validation)
• Launch window and rollback plan (high-level)
• Admin training session(s) (limit sessions and attendee count)
• Documentation (basic admin guide, recorded walkthrough)
• Warranty period (e.g., 30 days for bug fixes related to in-scope work)

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Prevent scope creep with “in scope / out of scope” tables

Agencies often bury exclusions in prose. Instead, use an explicit table:

In scope (examples)

• Configure Shopify store settings, shipping zones (up to 3), and taxes based on client-provided rules
• Build custom theme for 5 templates (Home, Collection, Product, Cart, Page)
• Set up Klaviyo integration using official app and configure signup forms on 3 pages

Out of scope (examples)

• Copywriting, product photography, and brand strategy
• Custom app development beyond listed integrations
• Ongoing CRO, SEO retainers, or paid media management
• Legal compliance audits (privacy, accessibility) beyond basic implementation guidance

This makes your ecommerce website development contract easier to enforce and easier to sell—clients see exactly what they’re getting.

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Use milestones tied to deliverables (not dates alone)

Tie payments to objective deliverables:

• Deposit / kickoff
• Discovery sign-off
• Design approval
• Development complete (feature complete)
• UAT complete
• Launch
• Post-launch warranty end

In your online store development agreement, define what happens if the client delays approvals or content. Consider:

• A “deemed acceptance” clause after X business days
• A timeline extension clause for client-caused delays
• Restart fees if the project is paused for more than X days

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Define change control: the backbone of profitable projects

Change requests aren’t a problem—unmanaged change requests are.

Your contract should include a lightweight change order process:

1. Client submits request in writing
2. Agency evaluates impact on scope, cost, and timeline
3. Agency provides written estimate/change order
4. Work begins only after approval (and often payment)

Also define what is not a change (e.g., bug fixes for in-scope work) vs what is (new feature, new integration, redesign after approval).

For a Shopify developer contract, this is essential because clients may discover app limitations mid-build and request customizations that require paid apps or custom code.

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Acceptance criteria: avoid “looks good” as the finish line

Acceptance should not be subjective. Consider adding:

• Functional acceptance: works per requirements
• Content acceptance: client-approved content loaded (or client responsibility)
• Browser/device acceptance: tested on defined matrix
• Known issues list: minor issues documented that do not block launch

Define that “launch” is not contingent on third-party approvals (payment processor risk checks, app vendor support delays, domain registrar delays) unless expressly stated.

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Clarify responsibilities: who provides what (and when)

A well-written ecommerce platform contract template includes a responsibilities matrix. Common client responsibilities:

• Provide branding assets, copy, product data, policies (shipping/returns/privacy)
• Provide access credentials and approve permissions
• Assign a single decision-maker
• Review deliverables within X business days
• Maintain licenses for third-party apps and services

Common agency responsibilities:

• Develop/configure the store per SOW
• Maintain staging environment during build
• Provide training and handover materials as listed

This section reduces delays and protects you when the project stalls due to missing inputs.

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Deliverables + IP: who owns what?

Agencies should be explicit about intellectual property:

• Client owns final deliverables upon full payment (common structure)
• Agency retains ownership of pre-existing tools, libraries, frameworks, and reusable components
• Third-party components remain subject to their licenses (themes, apps, fonts)

For Shopify projects, include specifics:

• If you customize a paid theme, clarify who buys the license (usually client)
• If you create reusable theme sections/snippets, clarify whether they’re client-only or agency reusable

Also consider whether you will be credited in the footer—if so, make it optional and revocable.

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Warranties, support, and what happens after launch

Clients often assume you’ll support indefinitely. Put boundaries in the contract:

• Warranty period: fix bugs for X days that relate to in-scope work
• Support plans: optional retainer, hourly blocks, or maintenance subscription
• Exclusions: changes due to platform updates, app updates, client edits, or new requests

This avoids the “we launched six months ago, can you jump on this urgent issue” trap.

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Common pitfalls agencies should address explicitly

1. “Unlimited” product uploads or migration
   Cap quantities or define per-product pricing.

2. Checkout expectations
   Shopify checkout is constrained depending on plan. Set expectations early in the shopify developer contract.

3. Third-party app blame loop
   Define that third-party issues may require vendor support and may be billable.

4. Performance guarantees
   If you promise scores, you inherit liability for third-party scripts. If you include targets, add assumptions and exclusions.

5. Compliance and legal content
   You can implement cookie banners and policy pages, but you’re typically not providing legal advice. Say so.

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Practical structure for your contract package

For clarity and reusability, many agencies use:

• Master Services Agreement (MSA): legal terms, IP, liability, dispute resolution
• Statement of Work (SOW): scope, deliverables, milestones, pricing, timeline, assumptions
• Exhibits: acceptance criteria checklist, responsibilities matrix, change order form

If you’re looking for an ecommerce platform contract template, consider separating your reusable legal framework (MSA) from project-specific scope (SOW). It makes your sales process faster and reduces edits.

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Conclusion: your scope is your profit margin

In e-commerce, you’re not just “building a site”—you’re implementing a revenue engine with operational dependencies. The more precisely your ecommerce website development contract defines scope and deliverables, the easier it is to manage expectations, control change, get timely approvals, and protect your team’s time.

If you want a faster way to generate and customize an online store development agreement (including Shopify-ready clauses and SOW exhibits), you can create one using Contractable, an AI-powered contract generator, at https://www.contractable.ai.

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Additional questions to keep learning

• What clauses should be included in a Shopify developer contract for app dependencies and checkout limitations?
• How do you write acceptance criteria that are objective but still client-friendly?
• Should e-commerce agencies use an MSA + SOW structure, or a single all-in-one agreement?
• How can you price change requests without damaging the client relationship?
• What’s the best way to cap product migrations (SKUs, variants, images) in the SOW?
• How do you handle client delays—deemed acceptance, pause fees, and timeline extensions?
• What liability limitations are reasonable for e-commerce revenue-impact claims?
• What deliverables should be included in post-launch support and maintenance packages?
• How do you define integration deliverables (ERP/WMS/CRM) without taking on vendor risk?
• What’s a fair IP ownership structure for reusable theme components and agency frameworks?