Member Avatar for whitshade

Is it professionally ethical to advertise the name of the web developer/web development company on a client's web site when the developer has designed the site? I ask because I built a web site for a local non-profit and shared it with a friend. My friend said that my name should be on it and that she's seen sites with the developer's/development company's name credited on them ("Site designed by..."). So, is this right? Can I plaster my company's name on a client's site so that I get free publicity? Thanks in advance for the response.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by matricol

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Crediting the developer on a client site is a normal, reasonable practice — but it should be explicit, not assumed. The thread already raises the key points: and emphasize agreement up front; captures the creator impulse to sign work. Those are valid. The gap in the thread is practical detail: how to handle copyright, contract language, link behavior, and polite alternatives when a client objects.

A legal reality worth calling out in response to : ownership is not automatic. In many jurisdictions (including the U.S.) copyright depends on whether the work is a "work made for hire" or whether rights were assigned in writing. Best practice is to state in the proposal/contract whether copyright is transferred or licensed, and to include a short permission for a footer credit and portfolio use. That avoids later disputes and protects both client and developer.

Practical implementation notes:

  • Keep the credit small and accessible (text, not only an image), and place it in the footer or an unobtrusive spot.
  • If the client is worried about SEO, use rel="nofollow" or provide a plain-text credit.
  • If the credit link opens a new tab, include rel="noopener noreferrer" for security.

Example unobtrusive footer markup:

<footer>
  <p class="site-credit">
    Site design by <a href="https://dev.example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DevName</a>
  </p>
</footer>

Sample contract language to adapt with legal advice:

Credit & portfolio: Client grants Developer a small footer credit (e.g., "Site design by DevName") and permission to display the project in Developer's portfolio. Copyright: [choose one] (a) assigned to Client; (b) retained by Developer and licensed to Client; (c) other agreed terms. Any removal of credit by Client will be addressed in writing.

Being explicit in proposals and contracts preserves goodwill, honors the creator impulse noted by , and implements the consent recommended by and . For binding legal terms, seek qualified legal counsel.

Recommended Answers

All 6 Replies

Member Avatar for Kraai

That should be negotiated between you and the owner of the site, and will surely depends on the deal between the two of you? It will be unethical, imho to just do it without their agreement. Sometimes, when I charge a special rate or even when I build a site free of charge, I do it with my name in the footer area, but the clients knew this from the beginning and agreed to it beforehand.

In your case, just get their permission and if agreed, you do it.

Member Avatar for whitshade

Thanks for the reply, Kraai. That's very enlightening. I guess I just needed a second, knowledgeable opinion on the matter. I know what course of action to take now and in the future. Thanks again.

Member Avatar for Kraai

Glad that I could assist. Please mark this thread as solved by clicking on the "solved" link below, if you do not expect any more or better answeres to your question.

Member Avatar for BrianDickson

Putting the developer/designer's details and links on the footer of a website is not 'advertising', and is common practice. However, as Kraai mentioned, this should always be agreed with the customer beforehand, which is only polite at the very least.

Edited by BrianDickson because: n/a
Member Avatar for Joebhoy Designs

I know it is solved but in future you should make clients aware that there will be a link to your website in the footer of the website. All my websites have Copyright 2011 (link)Joebhoy Designs Group(link) or Design by - (link)Joebhoy Designs Group(link) All Rights Reserved.

You have a right to put the link there because after all you own the copyright of the design not the client.

Regards
Joe

Member Avatar for matricol

an author must sign his great work .. so please do it :) so we know how to reach you

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