Terms of service are a set of guidelines and rules that must be honored by an organization or an individual if they want to use a certain service. In general, the terms of service agreement is legally binding, but if it violates some law on a local, or federal level it’s not.
Terms of service are subject to change and if they do change, the person or the company providing a service needs to notify all the users in a timely manner.
Websites and mobile apps that only provide their visitors with information or sell products usually don’t require terms of service, but if we are talking about providers that offer services online or on a site that will keep the user’s personal data, then the terms of service agreement is required.
What is a terms of service agreement?
What is a terms of service agreement?
Terms of service have two synonyms, including Terms and Conditions and Terms of Use. This is a phrase that includes a set of rules that must be followed by a user so that he on she can get and use a service or a product.
Although the terms of service page might be the most boring place on your site, you still need to have it. On this page, your visitors can quickly learn the rules for using the website. They will know what’s expected of them and what they can expect from you.
There are no real legal requirements for an outline of the terms of service page, but there are a lot of benefits to getting out of one. Both consumers/visitors and the business will get various benefits with the greatest focus on safety.
A lot of businesses keep these potential suits in mind when they are creating a terms of service page.
A lot of businesses keep these potential suits in mind when they are creating a terms of service page.
All websites and mobile applications should have a terms of service page, regardless of whether they are extensive or not. With this approach, website and app owners will drastically reduce liability. Given the fact that there are no options to control who visits your website or uses your app, you cannot control how people use the information or how they interpret it. In most cases, the terms of service page on a website is a way of preventing many potential and unexpected claims that might be made against that site, because the visitors use the site or access it in a way that is frowned upon.
What to include in the terms of service?
Properly written terms of service need to serve as an instruction manual for visitors on how they can do business with a certain organization and they must offer detailed instructions for all situations, while at the same time being clear. This can save a lot of money in advance and help avoid various disputes when the customers or the business don’t want to take responsibility for what they agreed on. From website to website, the terms of service page can be different, but in general, these are some of the most important issues that need to be addressed:
- A clear statement that points out what services or products will be given to customers.
- Specifying payment terms, options, and when the customer is obligated to make the payment.
- Warranties or guarantees that are offered with the products or services.
- Deadlines for delivering products or services with additional queries on the related subject.
- Explaining what will happen if the customer or the organization doesn’t pay/deliver the services or products. Clarifying what happens if one of the parties wants to stop the business relationship.
- What law is governing the contract between the two parties.
- How the terms of agreement affect the consumer and how they can get out of it and in what period of time.