How to Create a Terms and Conditions Policy

As part of your business, whether for marketing or sales purposes, you may have a website so that people can access your business and your products. Running a website entails much more than simply creating one and leaving it for people to visit. There are many different other aspects that you must consider, including legal ones.
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Before you allow your website to go live and give access to people, it is imperative that you have an effective terms and conditions statement in place. This is, in essence, an agreement of expectations between you and anyone that visits your website. This policy should clearly set out any rules and expectations to and from you and your visitors, and they must agree to it before making any business with you or continuing to navigate through your webpage. In this article, we will advise you of how to create a terms and conditions policy so that you have something effective in place.

Before You Create a Terms and Conditions Policy

  • Understand the Reasons

Before you start writing the terms and conditions for your website it is important that you think about what this entails. If you do not understand the purpose of this policy, then you will not create one that is effective for your purpose. Consumers must consent to the terms and conditions so that they know the rules and expectations when visiting your website. This also reduces any legal responsibility you have should something go wrong as long as you include all of this information in your terms and conditions agreement.

 

  • Set Your Ground Rules

As a manager of a website, you more than likely will have rules when it comes to how you expect people to use it. A good example, is forbidding any explicit content of sexual nature to be shared within your platform if you run a photo sharing site. You may also have expectations about the age of the individuals using your website or require payment of subscription fees. You will need to come up with all the different rules you want your visitors to comply with and draft these into your terms and agreement policy.

 

  • Decide Where to Post Agreement

Once you have devised your Terms & Conditions agreement, you need to decide where you will post it. It is important that this is visible and easily accessible by anyone that visits your website so that they are unable to argue that they were not aware of this agreement. If your website requires consumers to sign up, the terms and conditions must be signed before creating an account.

 

What to Include in The Terms and Conditions?

A standard terms and conditions policy will consist of different sections. You can use a standard template, however it is recommended you use a TOC template – This way you are more likely to know exactly what to add to your terms and conditions agreement, which must be customised to your business. The sections to include in this statement are as per below:

 

  • Introduction

The very first section of a terms and conditions policy should consist of the introduction, where you identify your business and explain who you are as well as what the document they are reading it. This needs to be clear so that visitors understand they must agree to this before using your website and also so they understand what the consequences of not doing so entail.

 

  • Acceptance Box

Having a good terms and conditions policy is not enough if your consumers will not accept it. Make sure that your agreement contains a box that can be ticked off to evidence agreement.

 

  • Effective Date

Customers must know when this policy came into effect, whether it was first devised or if you have made any amendments – make sure you include the date in the document.

 

  • Governing Law

You will need to let your visitors know what country/ state laws your website complies with – this is usually the area your business is registered with.

 

  • A Link to Your Privacy Policy

It is a legal requirement that every website has a privacy policy – this needs to include how you will use any confidential data that you may be collecting from your visitors. Your terms and conditions policy should include a link to this policy so that consumers can easily access it.

 

  • Your Contact Details

You need to make sure your contact details are included in your policy, should any individual want to make contact with you. It is recommended this is added at the end of the policy so that consumers are required to fully scroll down the agreement before obtaining your details.

 

  • Rules of Conduct and Restrictions

Evidently, you will need to advise your customers of rules and restrictions when using your page. It is important these are clear and free of jargon so that they can be understood by everyone.
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Creating an effective terms and conditions policy is essential so that people use your website for its intended purpose. Make sure to follow the tips above so that you can create an impeccable policy for your business.

 


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