May 12th, 2025
White label web development is a clever solution for agencies looking to offer more services without hiring more people. It allows you to deliver high-quality websites to your clients, while the actual development work is handled by a trusted third-party provider.
That said, we’re often asked “is white label web development legal”?
The short answer is yes.
White label web development is completely legal, but as with anything, it has to be done right. There are key steps involved, such as clear agreements and a focus on confidentiality.
The idea is that you maintain the client relationships while the technical side of the web build is handled by a white label web design service provider. There are many successful white label examples of agencies partnering with third-party developers. When it’s implemented properly, this website model can be highly effective and legally sound.
At Zestcode, we take confidentiality seriously. As a fully silent partner, we work behind the scenes without ever revealing our involvement to your clients. If needed, we can sign strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) to ensure complete confidentiality.
In this blog post, we’ll break down how white label web development works. We’ll explain why it’s legal and what steps are necessary to ensure you comply with the law.
Essentially, white label web development is when someone, whether an agency or freelancer, partners with a third-party web developer who handles the web development. The third party in question works silently, meaning the end client does not know the web development is being conducted white label. Whilst many white label arrangements mean the end client never meets the white label partner, we do also offer white label client management, as part of the service.
Even as a fully silent partner, a white label web developer can attend client meetings as the agency’s representative. They can even respond to queries or provide progress updates – all under the agency’s name. This approach keeps the branding consistent and professional.
How is this arrangement legal? After all, the developer is doing the actual work, but the agency takes all the credit. It’s a question that’s often raised when agencies first consider white label web development. But this model is perfectly legal – when done properly.
At its core, white label web development is a form of outsourcing. It’s common for agencies to outsource tasks they can’t handle internally. Whether it’s marketing, design, or web development, outsourcing allows you to expand your services without hiring additional full-time extra members of staff.
White label web development follows this exact approach. As long as both the agency and the developer have clear agreements in place, everything remains legal. These agreements define Intellectual Property (IP) rights, confidentiality, and who does what. This protects the client, the agency, and the developer.
The legality of this practice comes down to the contract. It’s essential to have clear terms. What rights does each party have? Who owns the work? Who takes responsibility if something goes wrong?
These are all questions that need to be addressed beforehand. Having a strong contract ensures that everyone knows their roles and responsibilities and keeps things running smoothly.
Confidentiality is a key aspect of any white label arrangement. When your agency partners with a third-party developer, you’ll inevitably need to share sensitive information. Everything from your client data and project details to branding guidelines and daily operations need to remain private to avoid conflicts.
That’s why most agencies will use NDAs; legal contracts that prevent the third-party developer from disclosing any confidential information. These agreements outline specific obligations and restrictions, making it clear what information is off-limits and how it should be handled.
NDAs protect both the agency and the client. They outline what can, and more importantly, what can’t be shared. This helps set clear expectations for how information will be handled in a collaboration. Additionally, well-drafted NDA often include specific consequences for breaches, reinforcing the importance of strict confidentiality throughout the project.
Since white label web developers are fully silent partners, their involvement is never revealed to your clients. The agency-client relationship stays intact, the developer’s role remains unseen, and the project moves forward without any issues.
Is white label web development legal? Yes – it’s a practical solution for agencies looking to deliver high-quality websites without expanding their in-house team. It’s legal, effective, and when done right, it can be a game-changer for your agency.
Now you understand the legalities of this practice, you may be looking for a white label web development service provider to help with your website. Let Zestcode be the reliable third-party you choose.
At Zestcode, we specialise in providing white label web development services, delivering high-quality solutions for agencies in various sectors. We also provide other web services, such as web design, web maintenance, API development, and more. With over 25 years of experience, we offer reliable support to guarantee customer satisfaction.
Ready to take your web design to the next level? Contact Zestcode today to discuss how our white label solution can help your agency.
