Contract templates · Online Business & Tech
Terms of service set the rules for using a website and limit the owner's liability. They only bind users if they are presented properly, so placement matters as much as wording.
Website terms of service are the rules users agree to when using a site, covering acceptance, accounts, acceptable use, intellectual property, third-party links, disclaimers, limitation of liability and how the terms change.
When you need one
- Any website, blog or online community
Key clauses in a Website Terms of Service
These are the clauses the template includes, and what each one does for you.
Acceptance of terms
Explains how users accept the terms by using the site or creating an account.
User accounts
Sets rules for registration, passwords and account suspension.
Acceptable use
Prohibits misuse such as scraping, spam and unlawful content.
Intellectual property
Confirms the site owner owns its content and licenses users to view it.
Third-party links
Disclaims responsibility for linked websites.
Disclaimers
Provides the site 'as is' without unstated warranties.
Limitation of liability
Limits the owner's liability to the extent law allows.
Changes to terms
Explains how the terms are updated and how users are told.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Burying terms in a footer link with no acceptance step for account holders.
- Using liability exclusions that consumer law makes void in the UK and EU.
- Copying another site's terms, which can infringe copyright and misdescribe your service.
How to use the template
Download the Word file
Buy the Website Terms of Service template on My Contract Lawyer and download the editable .docx straight after checkout.
Fill in the brackets
Add names, dates, fees, scope and governing law, and delete optional clauses that do not apply to your deal.
Check it against local law
Rules differ between US states, the UK and EU countries, especially for employment, consumer and property contracts. Have a lawyer review high-value or unusual deals.
Sign and keep a copy
Sign on paper or with any e-signature tool, and store the final version where both sides can find it.
Get the Website Terms of Service template
Lawyer-drafted and ready to edit in Word, Google Docs or Pages. One-time payment of $19, no subscription, instant download from My Contract Lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Are website terms legally required?
Not always, but they are strongly advisable and some disclosures are mandatory, such as company details in the UK and EU.
Clickwrap or browsewrap?
Clickwrap, where users actively agree, is much more likely to be enforced.
Do I also need a privacy policy?
Yes, if you collect any personal data, including analytics cookies or email sign-ups.
Related contract templates
Templates are a starting point, not legal advice, and using one does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Contract law differs between countries and states, so check the finished document against local law.