Send professional invoices for websites, web apps, and ongoing development retainers. Track hourly work and fixed-price projects in one place.
A web developer invoice is a billing document sent by a developer to a client for website or web application work. It itemizes services such as frontend development, backend engineering, API integration, and maintenance. It records the hours worked or the agreed project price, along with payment terms, due dates, and any applicable taxes, giving both parties a clear financial record.
| Service | Typical Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Frontend Development | $75 - $150 | per hour |
| Backend Development | $85 - $175 | per hour |
| Website Design Implementation | $65 - $120 | per hour |
| API Integration | $90 - $160 | per hour |
| Performance Optimization | $500 - $2,500 | per project |
| Monthly Maintenance Retainer | $300 - $1,500 | per month |
US freelance web developers commonly bill $50-150/hr (median ~$85; entry $40-65, mid $75-120, senior $130-200), with rates dropping sharply offshore ($40-80 Eastern Europe, $20-50 Asia). Defined builds are quoted fixed-price ($2k-8k template, $5k-20k custom), while ongoing/undefined work (maintenance, debugging, retainers) stays hourly or time-and-materials.
50% deposit before starting with 50% on completion for small builds, or three-stage milestone billing (e.g. 30/40/30) for larger projects; ongoing maintenance and hosting billed on recurring monthly/quarterly/annual retainers; Net 15 or Net 30 are the common terms.
Custom web development is treated as a non-taxable professional service in most US states, but some states tax pre-written/canned software, SaaS, or design deliverables, and hosting is taxable in a number of states, so pass-through hosting and license lines can carry tax even when your dev labor does not. For cross-border clients, include your VAT/tax ID and expect reverse-charge VAT handling in the EU/UK.
This is general guidance, not tax advice. Tax rules vary by country, state, and situation, so confirm with a qualified accountant before relying on it.
Start by agreeing on the billing structure before work begins: hourly, milestone-based, or fixed price. For hourly work, track time using a time-tracking tool and attach a detailed timesheet to your invoice. For fixed-price projects, invoice at agreed milestones such as design approval, staging delivery, and final launch. Always include a clear description of what was delivered, not just the time spent. Set net-15 or net-30 payment terms and state your late fee policy upfront. Send invoices promptly after completing work or hitting a milestone. Keep a copy of every invoice for tax purposes and reconcile payments monthly.