Milestones make it easy to divide a Dribbble Project into smaller, more manageable steps. Clients fund each part of the project one at a time, and designers receive payouts as soon as the deliverables for each milestone are completed.
Milestones give clients the flexibility to spread payments across smaller, manageable segments while allowing designers to receive payouts as they complete each phase of work. This approach is especially valuable for larger budget projects or projects that are expected to last several weeks or months.
How do I add Milestones to my project?
You can add milestones when creating a Project Proposal or setting up a Dribbble Service. To do this, simply click ‘Add Milestones.’
When adding milestones, you’ll need to name each one and assign a percentage of the total project budget to it. Make sure each milestone has a minimum value of $10 USD. Milestones should have clear and specific names, like Concepts or Homepage Design, that align with the deliverables outlined in your Project Proposal.
We recommend outlining each milestone and its deliverables in your Project Details. This helps both the client and designer know when payments for each milestone are due.
Every project with milestones will automatically include a Final Delivery milestone. The cost of this milestone is automatically calculated based on the remaining project budget after the other milestones are set.
Can I add more milestones or edit future milestones as the project progresses?
Currently, milestones can only be added when creating a Service or Project Proposal. Once the project begins, you won’t be able to edit your milestones or the total project budget.
However, we understand that project scopes can change. If you need to update an upcoming milestone and no payment has been made, reach out to our Support team—we’ll be happy to assist!
Milestones, Payments, and Payouts
Each milestone on Dribbble functions as its own project segment. Before work begins on any milestone, the client pays the full amount upfront. Dribbble holds this payment in project funding until the designer submits the deliverables and the client approves them. Once the milestone is complete, the client funds the next milestone, and the process continues until the final milestone is completed.
At this time, a client can only pay for one milestone at a time.
To learn more about projects and payouts, head here:
Reviewing Work and Releasing Payment
Payout Options for Dribbble Projects
Can I use milestones to collect upfront payments?
As with regular projects, Dribbble collects all milestone payments upfront, holding them until each stage of work is complete. This approach provides the same security as a paid deposit while enabling Dribbble to continue to guarantee both client payments and designer payouts throughout the project.
When using upfront payment, funds are released before any work is complete. This comes with unique considerations for both clients and designers:
For Clients:
- Many designers and studios require upfront deposits. However, when considering an upfront deposit, it’s essential to ensure that you and your designer are completely aligned on the project and that you have done your due diligence on the designer you are hiring.
- Upfront payments are not covered by Dribbble’s Project Payment Guarantee, and once released, they do not qualify for Project Mediation. When making an upfront payment, you agree to these terms.
For Designers:
- Work completed on unfunded milestones is not covered by Dribbble’s Payout Guarantee. If you accept an upfront payment, be aware that the client may not fund the remaining milestones until the work is complete, making those payments ineligible for our guarantee.
- Instead of requesting a deposit, consider making the first milestone a smaller segment tied to an initial phase of work (e.g., discovery, concepts, or research).
- Please be aware that repeated issues with upfront payments may affect your ability to work on the platform in the future.