Terms and Conditions

Any examples?

[glengara]

Anybody want to share what they consider fair T&C for SEO?

[grnidone]

I don't have a good answer for you, and I know several members have been looking for this as well. I am kicking this to the top.

I do not know if we can discuss specifics, but I believe we can speak in general terms and toss ideas around. Let's keep this high level.

I have done some work on this myself, and what I have heard from several people is that you have to specify *everything: down to the number of e-mails you will receive from someone. Sit down and think of your worst client. Write your terms with that client in mind.

Another way to think of it: "These are the terms and conditions under which we will do business and this is *specifically* what I will do for you [and no more]."

In SEO, you can be burned since so much of the work is up front, and you can't take the work back once you have put so much into it. (for example, directory listings) Many, many people I have talked to about this all agree on one thing: "Get as much money as you can up front -- half for example -- and assume you won't get the other half. Sadly, this is a business where you can really get scr*wed.

However, for that, you need to tell them what to expect: precisely. But don't promise something you can't give.

Assume you have to spell everything out because they don't know diddly: assume you will have the client from hell.

ALWAYS run it by an attorney. Each state or country is different with the legal-ese which *must* be on the terms. You don't want to get burned by your own piece of paper because you didn't have a key phrase underlined.

-G

<Disclaimer so Tabke doesn't have a stroke>

WE AT WebmasterWorld ARE NOT LAWYERS. WE DO NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE.

[Brett_Tabke]

Thanks for the disclaimer :-)

There are a few threads in this forum on the subject, but like g said, it is hard for us to give examples. Not directly related, but one of my favorite threads on the site:

[webmasterworld.com...]

What I do is do a search engine search on "terms and conditions" and start looking. I don't think there is any one TOS that is applicable to all sites, but you can get some good ideas by looking at other peoples TOS. When looking, I try to stick to larger sites (eg: those with a large staffs of legal personnel).