Technology Template
Free Website Terms of Use Template
Website terms of use establish the rules for using your website or web application.
Template
Copy this markdown, replace the {{variables}}, and send via API.
# Website Terms of Use
**Website:** {{websiteName}} ({{websiteUrl}})
**Operator:** {{operatorName}}
**Last Updated:** {{date}}
## 1. Acceptance
By using this website, you agree to these terms.
## 2. User Accounts
{{accountTerms}}
## 3. Acceptable Use
{{acceptableUse}}
## 4. Intellectual Property
All content is owned by {{operatorName}}.
## 5. Privacy
See our Privacy Policy at {{privacyUrl}}.
## 6. Disclaimers
The service is provided as-is without warranties.
## 7. Governing Law
{{governingLaw}}Send for e-signature
curl -X POST https://signb.ee/api/send \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"content": "YOUR_RENDERED_MARKDOWN",
"senderName": "Your Name",
"senderEmail": "you@company.com",
"recipientName": "Recipient",
"recipientEmail": "recipient@email.com"
}'What happens next
- Signbee converts the markdown to a professional PDF
- Recipient gets an email with a signing link
- Both parties sign with an animated handwriting signature
- Both receive the signed PDF with a SHA-256 certificate
All signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS, and ECA.
More details
Website terms of use (also called terms and conditions or terms of service) are the legal rules governing how visitors and users interact with your website or web application. While not legally required in most jurisdictions, they provide essential protections that no commercial website should operate without.
Why you need website terms of use: - Liability limitation: Without terms, your liability for website content, user-generated content, and service disruptions is potentially unlimited. Terms cap your exposure. - Content ownership: Establish that your website content (text, images, code, design) is your intellectual property. Without this, enforcement against copiers is harder. - User-generated content: If users can post content (reviews, comments, uploads), you need terms defining what's acceptable, your right to moderate, and who owns the content. - Account management: Rules for account creation, authentication, suspension, and termination. - Dispute resolution: Specify governing law, jurisdiction, and whether disputes go to arbitration or court.
Key clauses for website terms: 1. Acceptance mechanism — How users agree to the terms. Browsewrap (using the site constitutes acceptance) is weaker legally than clickwrap (clicking 'I agree'). For important terms, use clickwrap at registration. 2. Acceptable use — Prohibit: spamming, scraping, hacking, uploading malware, impersonating others, harassment, and illegal activity. Include a catch-all for 'any activity that disrupts the service'. 3. Intellectual property — All website content is owned by the operator. Users may not copy, reproduce, or distribute without permission. For user-generated content, specify whether the user grants a licence to the operator and the scope of that licence. 4. Account terms — Age requirements (typically 16+ under GDPR, 13+ under COPPA), one account per person, accurate information required, and responsibility for account security. 5. Disclaimers — The service is provided 'as-is'. No warranties regarding accuracy, completeness, reliability, or availability. This is especially important for informational websites (news, reviews, advice). 6. Limitation of liability — Cap total liability at fees paid (or a nominal amount for free services). Exclude consequential, indirect, and incidental damages. 7. Governing law — Which country's laws apply. This affects everything from consumer protection to dispute resolution. Choose the operator's jurisdiction unless there's a strategic reason not to. 8. Changes to terms — How you'll notify users of updates. Best practice: email notification for material changes and a 'Last Updated' date on the terms page.
Frequently asked questions
Are website terms of use legally required?
Not in most jurisdictions, but they're essential for limiting liability, protecting intellectual property, managing user-generated content, and establishing dispute resolution procedures. Operating a commercial website without terms exposes the business to unnecessary legal risk.
What is the difference between browsewrap and clickwrap acceptance?
Browsewrap means using the site constitutes acceptance of the terms (passive). Clickwrap requires users to actively click 'I agree' before proceeding (active). Clickwrap is significantly more enforceable in court. Use clickwrap for account registration and important consent points.
Can website terms of use be updated without user consent?
Generally yes, if the terms include a clause permitting updates. Best practice is to notify users of material changes via email and display a 'Last Updated' date. For significant changes that affect user rights, require re-acceptance (clickwrap) at next login.
Related resources
Send this template for signing — free, no credit card.