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A website handover checklist for freelance designers

A clear handover reduces the small follow-up requests that can quietly extend a finished project.

List the deliverables

Record the final site address, approved pages, agreed features and any outstanding items. Separate defects you are correcting from enhancements proposed for a later phase. Ask the named decision-maker to review against the agreed scope.

Transfer access securely

Confirm who owns the domain, hosting and paid subscriptions. Use account invitations or the provider's secure transfer process. Do not paste passwords into a general handover document. Remove your access only when it is no longer needed and the client has confirmed theirs works.

Explain routine care

Cover the tasks relevant to the chosen platform: editing text, changing images, checking forms, managing backups and renewing subscriptions. Name who is responsible for each. Do not imply that maintenance is included if it was not part of the agreement.

Close the project

• Record acceptance or the specific remaining issues.
• Send the agreed final invoice.
• Provide the promised training or notes.
• Confirm the support period and its scope.
• Review estimated versus actual time internally.

A handover checklist does not replace technical testing. It gives both parties a shared record of what was delivered and what happens next.