With the compulsory COVID measures forcing retail businesses to close and keeping potential foot traffic away, a business needs an online strategy more than ever to stay successful.
Australian Consumer Law requires you to state your business service standards and have terms and conditions on your website. If you sell or licence goods or services online, a lawyer can help you ensure that they are drafted appropriately for the online environment.
When to get website terms and conditions?
Your business will need online terms and conditions when:
How website terms and conditions help you
Website terms and conditions are the agreement that you make with your customers, users, or online visitors when they buy your products or use your services. It sets out the limits of your obligations to them and what they permitted to do. Like any business relationship, it’s better if the terms of engagement are clear.
A comprehensive terms and conditions document will include clauses that:
Online risks with third parties
You might not realise it, but if your website terms and conditions don’t limit your liability, you are also financially responsible for any harm caused by the actions or errors of third parties.
Third parties in an online business environment are services and organisations who provide the framework for your online store, like hosting, shipping, marketing, and payment - the bricks and mortar of your online business.
Some risks that customers might get exposed to from third parties when they shop with your online store include:
Unless you have website terms and conditions limiting your liability, your business might be held legally responsible for actions and loss caused by third parties beyond your control. It’s important that your website terms and conditions effectively limit your responsibility.
Should you get a generic website terms and conditions?
There are services online now that offer generic website terms and conditions for download. However, these documents will unlikely to fit your business model exactly.
For a very small difference in cost, you can get terms and conditions customised to your business. This small investment is worth it when you consider the risks to you if a court does hold your business responsible for a customer’s loss because a generic website terms and conditions didn’t specifically cover a situation relevant to your business.
Talking to a lawyer ensures that your website terms and conditions are relevant and adapted to your business. Whether you have an online shop on Instagram, Facebook, Shopify, or any other platform, define your online terms and conditions with the help of an experienced eCommerce lawyer. Our expert contracts team would be delighted to assist you.
Van Beveren Lawyers Online Store Package $550
Our Online Store Package provides customised terms and conditions for your online business. These are suitable for Australian e-commerce businesses and include;
The documents are personalised for your business and are usually finalised in one week or less your consultation.
About John Van Beveren, Principal Lawyer
John is especially attuned to the needs of small enterprise and startups after running his own educational centres and online businesses for over ten years.
John’s support for local business extends over his many years providing mentoring and legal education to regional business groups, and serving on local government as a councillor.
The focus of his PhD was marketing to promote a state of flow in online environments. He brings this awareness of optimal performance to all his interactions, ensuring that Van Beveren’s offices represent a leading example in legal excellence.
Call or email us for an obligation free 15 minute evaluation call.
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