Website terms and conditions: consultancy business

Three variations of your standard terms and conditions

This is one of three consultancy / professional Net Lawman terms and conditions documents which could be used either as website T&C or as a hand out to a client. Not suitable as a negotiated document (for which, see below).

All three are for a business model where a professional service uses a website to promote the business. Also suitable, with easy edits, for presenting to a client as “your terms”, without reference to the Internet.

The website may be set up to:

• sell your expert and professional service or advice against pre-payment through the website or setting up a subscription.
• sell some special “pre-pack” of your range of services, as a management consultant might sell a particular specialism, or an architect might sell packs of drawings for self-builders.
• bring in a prospective client so that you can give him a price for the work he wants, then pay in advance through your website. An example might be a children’s tutor where the website is primarily a medium for information and advance payment.
• sell a service supported by a product or device. This is a little more complicated because either you license your product or you sell it. In the first instance your T&C should include the terms of the licence.

The three variations are:

• Services only, nothing requiring a formal licence. That is at T&C consultancy: professional or expert service; sale of supporting products.
• Services, where your expertise depends on heavy use of your intellectual property which will be licensed to your client as part of your deal. That is at T&C consultancy: professional or expert service; licensed product.
• Services, supported by the sale of some physical product, even a dvd or hard copy materials. That is this agreement.

About this agreement

A website terms and conditions document for a consultancy or other professional service. That is to say an identifiable “package” service supplied by a human being.

Although a standard T&C document, it covers provisions for a close working relationship. It is not for an impersonal sale of a service.

Contains strong provision for confidentiality and protection of your intellectual property - we assume you may use texts or software of great value.

It is perfect for any fixed price package or for work against which you quote a price and leave client to accept and pay via the Internet.

Examples:

Business or marketing consultancy; personal tax return; standard house plans; ISO certification advice; health and safety assessment; distance tutoring.

Payment is by a single sum or subscription. Suitable for business or consumers.

Alternatives to this agreement

If in providing your service, you also sell a product, like a DVD, use T&C consultancy: professional or expert service; sale of supporting products.

If you want a more formal consultancy agreement look at Consultancy agreements.

Contents of this agreement

• Definitions and interpretation
• Basis of contract Credit card security
• Price and renewal of payment
• Service provision
• Foreign taxes
• Liaison with client
• Work management procedures
• Compliance issues
• Confidentiality of the service
• Protection of your intellectual property
• Termination
• Disclaimers and many matters to protect you

Over 1,000 words of helpful drafting notes.