Terms of Service

Welcome to HC WEB. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our website design and development services. By engaging our services or using our website, you agree to be bound by these Terms. Please read them carefully.

Definitions

• "HC WEB", "we", "us", "our" refers to HC WEB, the web design and development service provider
• "Client", "you", "your" refers to the individual or entity purchasing our services
• "Services" refers to all web design, development, hosting, and related services we provide
• "Website" refers to the digital product we create for you
• "Agreement" refers to the contract formed by these Terms and any project-specific proposals

Services Overview

1 Service Packages

We offer the following standard packages:

• One-Page Landing: Single-page website with essential features (R3,000 one-time or R250/month)
• 5-Page Website: Multi-page professional website (R5,500 one-time or R500/month)
• 10-Page Website: Comprehensive business website (R7,000 one-time or R800/month)
• Custom Solutions: Tailored packages based on specific requirements (custom pricing)

2 Payment Options

• One-Time Payment: Full ownership of website files; hosting available separately at R120/month
• Monthly Subscription: Includes hosting, maintenance, and ongoing support; no ownership of files

Acceptance and Agreement Formation

• You submit a project inquiry through our contact form or WhatsApp
• We provide you with a project proposal or quote
• You accept the proposal and make the initial payment
• We confirm project commencement

Project Process and Timeline

1 Development Timeline

• Standard Projects: 5-7 business days from project commencement
• Custom Projects: Timeline specified in individual proposals
• Rush Projects: Available at additional cost (terms to be agreed separately)

2 Project Phases

1. Discovery: Requirements gathering and content collection
2. Design: Visual design and layout creation
3. Development: Website coding and functionality implementation
4. Review: Client feedback and revisions (up to 3 rounds included)
5. Launch: Website deployment and final testing

Client Responsibilities

To ensure successful project completion, you agree to:

1 Content and Materials

• Provide all necessary content (text, images, logos) in a timely manner
• Ensure all provided content is original or properly licensed
• Obtain necessary permissions for any third-party materials
• Review and approve designs and content within 48 hours of submission

2 Communication and Feedback

• Respond to our communications within 48 hours during business days
• Provide clear, specific feedback during review phases
• Designate a single point of contact for project decisions
• Attend scheduled meetings or calls as arranged

Payment Terms

1 One-Time Payment Projects

• Payment Schedule: 50% deposit required to commence work, 50% due upon completion
• Payment Methods: Bank transfer, credit card, or other approved methods
• Late Payments: 2% monthly service charge on overdue amounts
• Project Delivery: Final files delivered upon full payment

2 Monthly Subscription Projects

• Billing Cycle: Monthly in advance from project launch date
• Payment Due: Within 7 days of invoice date
• Late Payments: Service suspension after 14 days overdue
• Automatic Renewal: Subscription continues until cancelled

3 Additional Services

• Extra Revisions: Beyond included rounds, charged at R500 per revision
• Rush Delivery: 50% surcharge for projects requiring completion in under 5 days
• Additional Pages: R800-R1,200 per page depending on complexity
• Custom Features: Quoted separately based on requirements

Intellectual Property Rights

1 One-Time Payment Projects

• Upon full payment, you receive full ownership of the website files
• You may modify, distribute, or transfer the website as desired
• HC WEB retains the right to showcase the work in our portfolio
• Any third-party components remain subject to their original licenses

2 Monthly Subscription Projects

• HC WEB retains ownership of all website files and code
• You receive a license to use the website for your business
• License terminates upon subscription cancellation
• Content you provide remains your intellectual property

3 Client Content

• You retain ownership of all content you provide
• You grant us license to use your content for the project
• You warrant that you have rights to all provided content
• You indemnify us against any claims regarding your content

Hosting and Maintenance

1 Hosting Services

• Uptime Guarantee: 99.5% uptime target (excluding scheduled maintenance)
• Storage Limits: Reasonable usage limits apply; excess usage may incur charges
• Bandwidth: Unlimited within fair usage policy
• Backups: Daily automated backups retained for 30 days

2 Maintenance (Monthly Subscriptions Only)

• Security updates and patches
• Performance optimization
• Minor content updates (up to 2 hours per month)
• Technical support via email and WhatsApp

Warranties and Limitations

1 Our Warranties

• Websites will be free from material defects for 30 days after launch
• Work will be performed with professional skill and care
• Websites will function as specified in the agreed scope
• We will correct any defects at no additional cost during warranty period

2 Warranty Limitations

• Warranty does not cover issues caused by client modifications
• Third-party service failures are not covered
• Browser compatibility limited to current major browsers
• Performance may vary based on hosting environment and content

3 Disclaimer

Except as expressly stated, all services are provided "as is" without warranty. We disclaim all other warranties, express or implied, including merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

Limitation of Liability

• Our total liability is limited to the amount paid for services
• We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages
• We are not responsible for loss of profits, data, or business interruption
• Client must notify us of any claims within 30 days of discovery
• These limitations apply regardless of the legal theory of liability

Cancellation and Termination

1 Project Cancellation

• Client Cancellation: You may cancel before work begins for full refund
• Partial Completion: Payment due for work completed to date
• Our Cancellation: We may terminate for non-payment or breach of terms
• Refund Policy: Refunds based on work not yet completed

2 Subscription Cancellation

• Notice Period: 30 days written notice required
• Final Billing: Service continues until end of current billing period
• Data Retention: Website files deleted 30 days after cancellation
• No Refunds: No refunds for partial months

Force Majeure

Neither party will be liable for delays or failures due to circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including natural disasters, government actions, internet outages, or other force majeure events. We will make reasonable efforts to minimize delays and notify you promptly of any issues.

Privacy and Data Protection

• Your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy
• We implement appropriate security measures for your data
• Project files are stored securely and backed up regularly
• We do not share your information without consent, except as legally required
• You may request access to or deletion of your personal data

Dispute Resolution

1 Informal Resolution

We encourage resolving disputes through direct communication. Please contact us first to discuss any concerns.

2 Formal Disputes

• Disputes will be governed by South African law
• Any legal proceedings must be brought in South African courts
• Mediation through an agreed mediator is preferred before litigation
• Each party bears their own legal costs unless otherwise ordered

Modifications to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Changes will be posted on our website with an updated effective date. For existing projects, changes apply to new work commenced after the update. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of revised Terms.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. The unenforceable provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable.

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any project proposals and our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between us. No other representations, warranties, or agreements apply unless specifically agreed to in writing.