Retainer
Retainer is a monthly agreement where you pay a set amount for ongoing work or availability. Good for continuous development needs. You get priority, they get predictable income.
Definition
A monthly agreement where you pay a set amount for ongoing work or availability. Good for continuous development needs. You get priority, they get predictable income.
Example
You pay an agency $10k/month for 40 hours of development work. Unused hours might roll over or expire depending on the contract.
Related Terms
More Business & Contracting Terms
MVP - Minimum Viable Product
The simplest version of your product that still solves the core problem. Ship fast, learn from real users, then improve. Don't build everything at once.
POC - Proof of Concept
A small test to prove an idea actually works before investing serious time or money. It's not a product—it's evidence that building the product makes sense.
Prototype
A working model of your product used for testing and feedback. It doesn't need to be pretty or complete—it needs to let people interact with your idea.
Wireframe
A basic sketch showing the layout and structure of a page without any design polish. Think blueprint, not finished building. It's about where things go, not how they look.
Mockup
A high-fidelity visual design showing exactly how the final product will look. Unlike wireframes, mockups include colors, typography, and real content.